Peekaboo!
Chinese Crested Princess Aida, Sunday afternoon, in my lap.
I've had my darling since Thursday and, in between my writing jags (which are also her napping in my lap jags), she's already learned her name, how to walk on a leash and to come when she's called.
She pees on a pee pad and we're working on learning that outdoors is one big bathroom.
It's terribly hard for me, but I put her in her little gated space at night and leave her there. (We nap in the afternoon together in my bed.)
The first night, she cried at 4 am, and I came out (and it broke my heart to do this), but I said, firmly, "No!" and then again, "No!" and went back in my room and closed the door. (I felt like the guy Hitler would have sneered at as "like Hitler.")
This refusal to indulge teaches a puppy that they cannot blackmail you; that you are the alpha in the house. It's hard as hell, as was leaving her in her case on the plane when I could have tucked her in my tiny down jacket and held her, but these things help you help a dog to not have limitations in where he/she can go, what he/she can do.
I used to smuggle my dear late Yorkie, Lucy, on a plane to New York and just say, "Lie down! No noise." She was once perfectly still and quiet for 10 hours when there was a mechanical delay in addition to the flight time. Conspiratorial little thing!
PS When Aida is trained, the gated area will disappear and the house will be hers.
Okay, one more. 
It's hard work being a happy puppy!
Too, too cute!
crella at August 18, 2013 11:08 PM
Absolutely adorable!
Flynne at August 19, 2013 5:20 AM
Thank you. I am just laughing constantly, having her around.
A few people wonder why I went to these particular breeders to get this doggie. These breeders are amazing. T., the dad, says I can call him at any time and he will drop what he's doing and answer my questions. He is in finance and has these calls where he's dealing with big banks (these sound like important calls) but puppy calls are his priority!
Last night, I had to tape her ears -- he showed me how when I was there -- and I sent him a photo so he could see if they were right. (They were.)
And this is the most good-natured doggie. I squealed this morning at a centipede or something on my wall that then fell on my pillow. Aida was all "Whatever!"
Amy Alkon at August 19, 2013 5:43 AM
So, I'm more of a fan of gigantic hairy dogs (huskies, for instance), but she is cute (and/or you take great photos).
The first few days are the hardest while they learn the rules, but sounds like that'll be over quickly.
Shannon M. Howell at August 19, 2013 6:18 AM
She's adorable, Miss Alkon! I love that look on her face in the second photo: Absolute doggie contentment. Aida's a lucky puppy!
Oh, by the way, if a centipede landed on my pillow, I'd probably squeal, too.
Old RPM Daddy (OldRPMDaddy at GMail dot com) at August 19, 2013 7:26 AM
Aww, what a cutie! I hope you'll have many happy years with her.
Cousin Dave at August 19, 2013 7:34 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/08/19/peekaboo.html#comment-3865997">comment from Cousin DaveThank you -- I laugh all day at her antics and love her to pieces. She's so cute now with little tape antlers (from my taping her ears last night to train them into the right position).
Amy Alkon
at August 19, 2013 8:21 AM
Oh my, that last photo! For such a tiny young puppy, she already knows how to concentrate on sleep.
prawntohe at August 19, 2013 9:01 AM
Better not show these to PETA, Amy. Poor Aida looks like she's got it so 'ruff' they might have to come over to your house and, like, protest.... or something...
Don't judge me, people. Puppies make me corny.
Sabrina at August 19, 2013 1:06 PM
She's too cute Amy! I love her tail!
If a centipede landed on my pillow, I'd be tempted to set my bed on fire!
Re training at night, mine are potty trained but if I let them in the living room at night, they chew. And chew, and chew some more. I've tried removing anything they can chew and substitute bones, but then they chew the table legs. Since they are VERY large, this poses a problem.
Any tips?
wtf at August 19, 2013 1:52 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/08/19/peekaboo.html#comment-3866678">comment from wtfThanks, wtf. You need to catch them in the act of chewing -- hide, if necessary -- and strongly verbally correct them. Dogs have a memory of about 10 seconds. This is why it's important to contain a puppy when you can't watch him or her. You MUST catch him or her in the act of naughtiness or you can't scold.
Amy Alkon
at August 19, 2013 4:57 PM
Thanks!
wtf at August 19, 2013 5:07 PM
Some dogs are less affected by the scolding... or are more careful to look for you. In those cases, a squirt bottle of water (on stream, not spray) is wonderful. Also, once they associate the bottle with "no" you can put it someplace you don't want them to be temporarily. :)
Also, the squirt bottle works on cats too.
Shannon M. Howell at August 20, 2013 4:15 PM
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