#twopups

They don't don't do it when you are looking, but puppies can be quite the little devils.

Like, when they evilly pretend to be fast asleep and you creep out of the room for some well-deserved relaxation.

Then, when you are down in the basement, you'll hear a noise upstairs and BAM! you walk into a room full of chaos.

To date, the two little guys have demolished Three rugs...

(they may seem to love laying on them at first, but sooner or later the fuzzy mats simply become more chew toys. You have been warned)

...One squirt gun...

(they somehow snuck around a gate, grabbed it off a chair, and magically tore it to bits. Upon arriving on the scene, the thing looked more like it had blown up then been chewed up)

...and One chores chart.

(essentially a piece of paper...but again, like it had exploded across the room. Did I mention it was hanging up on a door?)

Of course there are also the scratches, chewed molding, and roughed up walls that one would anticipate with two small dogs.

So, a warning to anyone who has yet to learn this lesson:

Do. Not. Leave Puppies Unattended...For ANY amount of time.

(no matter how innocent they appear)

Oh, and the 'Days Without Accident' has returned to 0.

...is not easy.

At. All.

Tip #1: you need patience. Actually, you shouldn't even get a puppy unless you are willing to work on your patience. Seriously.

Tip #2: Those little puppy pad things don't necessarily work. 

For my puppies, we stuck a pad on the floor so they could pee on it in the house...and they instantly chewed it up.

Tip #3: puppies pee ALOT. So make sure you take them outside ALOT.

The books say to let them out 10 mins after they eat and when they've been especially active or just woken up from a nap. You're really better off just leaving them outside at all times, but of course we don't do that.

Tip #4: pick up the puppies and place them outside when they first wake up...for a while. 

Don't overestimate their bladder control. I thought my puppies were ready to just wander outside on their own in the morning...apparently not. Make.them.go.outside.ASAP. Every time.

Tip #5: when one puppy pees...the other will usually follow.

RJ will pee and I'll say "no" and grab the paper towels and wipes, and just as I get on all fours to clean up the puddle, I see Champ peeing in the other corner of the room. When one pees, put them both outside. Immediately.

Tip #6: they will poop in the house.

Puppies may love you but that doesn't mean they won't do things that you think they respect you enough not to do. They don't know respect like that. When they have to go, they go.

Tip #7: you may think you can easily train them to go in one spot in the yard. It's way harder than you think.

When you are standing outside in freezing weather with the dog on a leash and he refuses to go for over an hour, you don't care where he goes as long as you can go back inside. Again, you need incredible patience if you want to make sure the dog goes in the correct spot every time. Treats help, but then the puppy just sits near you for the treat, not realizing you want him to pee, not sit. And if you're not outside with him, treat in hand, he won't do it correctly anyways.

We're still trying though, and it may happen sooner or later.

Tip #8: they will stop peeing in the house eventually. I promise.

At six months now, my pups haven't had an accident in a really long time (knock on wood). Fingers crossed they are through that puppy phase.