Weekly Puppy Love from me to you :), including some thoughts on Puppies and Different Parenting Styles.
We’ve had our puppy a little over a month now and she’s definitely feeling more comfortable with our family (sometimes a little too comfortable as she tries to push the limits). One of the challenges has been trying to be consistent in the way we all “parent” her. Parenting styles are different for every person, and can pose a challenge in any family, whether you’re raising a puppy or a child.
I remember my husband and me talking about who was going to be the “bad guy” and who was going to be the “softie” way before we had our first child. I have to be honest – I never thought I’d be the “bad guy” and that my husband would be the “softie.” As it turned out, I am usually the bearer of bad news, the one who has disciplined the kids, the mean “mom” who has taken away the laptop or shut off the cell phone because someone’s not behaving. And now, I’m the disciplinarian for our puppy. I keep her on a tight leash and am the one scolding everyone else for giving her too much freedom (which usually results in an “accident”…I’m just sayin’).
Within every family, someone has to be the disciplinarian. It’s funny because I’m a non-controversial person by nature, and I really hate being the “bad guy.” But, I’m better at it than my husband, so I assumed the role years ago. Like our kids, our puppy knows she can get away with a lot more with my husband than me.
And now for some puppy love…our puppy LOVES the snow! She could live outdoors if we let her. Watch her digging in the snow this week after a big snowstorm (we got well over a foot of snow and the piles are several feet high already!).
You might also like to read:
Puppy Love #1
Puppy Love #2
Puppy Love #3: Puppies and Parenting
Puppy Love #5: Forgive and Forget
See our video of Sunny during the first month at our home:
You’ve seriously got the cutest puppy ever! I do so long to have a fur baby at least just as cute!!!
Thanks Carol – she’s a cutie (that makes up for any accidents she has ;))
Wow – your puppy is growing so quick! And she sure loves the snow! Sometimes being the bad guy isn’t easy – but the long term rewards are way better! My daughter and I got a puppy a couple years ago – he was her puppy and she disciplined him and trained him – she used to be so stern with him – and he is so well behaved now!
Shashi – she is growing fast! She’s 20 pounds now and I can feel it! You’re lucky your daughter trained your puppy. It’s definitely worth it, just have to keep at it.
So darn sweet. I love her. Thanks Jeanette. Have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks Liz – she is a sweet pup – spunky but sweet. Have a great weekend!
She’s absolutely adorable, Jeanette! Love seeing her grow! Makes me miss our family puppies so much.