March 14, 2003
Dusty at the playground...
5:00 p.m.
My seminar ended early. I killed some time by doing a bit of window shopping and walked home - it was so nice out today, warmer and sunny.
Dusty was VERY happy to see me when I got back. She wiggled and cried and made me feel like a celebrity for about five minutes, then rushed to the door and put on quite a performance. Based on Dusty's urgent need to go outside, I became convinced that the Cookie Lady hadn't been able to take her out in the morning.
As soon as we got outside, Dusty squatted. She peed a thimble-full then ran around like a goof. What an actress! She didn't have to go anymore than that.
I spoke with the Cookie Lady later on in the afternoon and she gave me an update: Dusty *had* come out of the crate, though she was very frightened. She went pee outside, but didn't want to play at all. When the Cookie Lady left the apartment, she cried.
Not bad, for her first time alone. It's difficult for the pup to be by herself all day, but I won't be going to another seminar until the end of the month. I think I may have the Cookie Lady start coming by once a week and taking her for a walk though, just so she'll be used to the routine and I won't worry so much when I need to be away.
Dusty and I spent an hour outside today because it was so pretty out. The temperature was -2. That's tropical to a winter puppy! We walked around the park and spent some time off-leash in the playground area (fenced in). Dusty loves running around the playground.
She responded to a recall under some pretty intense distraction (another dog was standing at the fence, barking at her). But I've decided that I'm not going to even consider letting her go off-leash in the park until she's been to puppy school. It's just not worth the risk.