The Puppy Chronicles Continued: Kenzo’s Toddler Period

If I had remembered how much work it was to raise a puppy correctly, you would be reading a very different blog right now. Why this information slipped my mind, I cannot say. The memory of not really sleeping for the first year of raising Merlin and Kera should have been vividly etched on my mind. But perhaps I told myself that was then, two puppies, not one, like now. I am a professional, after all, this should be piece of cake. Hah! What a joke that is on me!

So now here I am with a 24/7 responsibility. Thank the universe that he is a smart not so little guy who picks up things quickly. In fact, far more quickly than I would prefer in some cases! Take stairs, for example. No one told Kenzo that giant breeds should hold off on climbing stairs until after the twelve week mark. Kenzo was mastering them at ten weeks. I had to be very fast to scoop him up and prevent future joint issues. Too much exercise for my tastes.

Keeping him mentally stimulated is a whole second job. There will likely be multitudes of toys scattered in all rooms but the kitchen and bathroom for months. And even the kitchen is not always exempt from this rule!

Trent, Siri & Kenzo after play. Smiling.

Integrating Kenzo successfully into basic daily routines have been gradual. For example, at first he ate separately first and then was crated while the “big dogs” ate. Then I started allowing him to stay in the kitchen and eat with the others, but he still ate first but I kept him on leash while I served the others, running interference with said leash. We soon graduated to simply having the leash attached to me and going back to serving Siri and Trent their meals first, then serving Kenzo. He soon learned to simply wait for the others to be served. Now the leash is forgotten in the kitchen and I am pleased to say that Kenzo politely maintains a sit while Siri and Trent are served most of the time. But even when he doesn’t maintain a sit, he respects that what I give to Siri and Trent belongs to them.

Now as far as Kenzo’s own meal is concerned, eating slowly is not his strong suit! I am trying valiantly to teach him to chew, which has resulted in some hand feeding of things I prefer to not handle as much as I have, such as chicken and duck necks! After all, we feed a raw diet in this house so teaching a dog to chew is vital!

I have also discovered that he has some innate guarding issues with high value to him things such as his dinner and chew treats such as bully sticks and the like. So I have begun to work on that as well, with the afore mentioned hand feeding serving a dual purpose. Adding tasty tidbits to his food bowl when he eats a ground raw meal has also resulted in eagerly looking up when I get closer to his bowl rather than hurrying faster to eat his bowl.

As far as the chewy treats, exchanges with high value treats for the coveted chewy have been very successful in securing an immediate drop it behavior. I far prefer this option than not providing chew treats or crating for such, which is what I know some people opt to do. I love giving my crew chew treats. I would never want that not to be an option. Interestingly and thankfully, he has not shown this guarding side to the other dogs, only the human part of the equation. But my radar will stay alert for future developments.

Siri guarded high value objects such as chewies from an early age and the effort that I put into changing that paid of in spades.

Socializing a guarding breed puppy is crucial; especially when said puppy will be as large as Kenzo as an adult. From day one, I have asked people to come over and visit, establishing that visitors are a good thing. This is not easy for me as I am not big on social activity in my home but it has been good for Siri and Trent as they sure are! All the more attention for them.

So Kenzo has met different types of people all giving him attention which he loves. I have also taken him quite a few places, meeting even more different types of people in different circumstances. One locale is an office environment so he has been exposed to sounds that he would not experience in most places.

Luckily for him (though not for me!), for the moment, we still live in an urban environment. This means noisy for those of you who are lucky enough to be suburban or rural dwellers. Kenzo has heard fireworks, motorcycles, loud yelling, screaming children and loud stereos. He has barked some as his genetics have told him too but I can see him getting more used to things on a regular basis. Tomorrow is another play date with older puppies and kids. Kenzo has a more active social life than I do at the moment but this is what you commit to when you accept the responsibility of a puppy. This makes for a tired but happy human!

Take a moment to tell me below what you like about having a puppy!