Panda Bear

The life and learning of our Rotternees.

In which I try to catch up.

Posted by shannamarie on December 31, 2009 at 10:54 am in Uncategorized

I know it has been a long time since I last wrote – but the holidays were packed with activity and housetraining. It was all quite tiring. Anyhow, Panda is mostly house-trained… at least, within the confines of the master bedroom which has been her domain for all of her life with us. The rest of the house is iffy.

When Panda Bear has to go to the bathroom, she rings a bell I hung on the casement of our bedroom picture window. And I take her out immediately and give her a treat and praise. It’s working, and she responds to training well. Because she recognizes me as her leader, she’s always eager to do things and to do them well.

She’ walks behind me without a leash, she comes when I call, she sits on command, and I’m still trying to figure out a way to teach her “down” and “stay”. Ah well.

My parents-in-law kept two of the puppies, and yesterday I took her to see her brother and sister so they could play. She enjoyed herself, but her sister was apparently very territorial and exhibited alpha characteristics. Her brother would play with her, until the sister demanded his attention, and then they would play, not including Panda. Ah well.

At any rate, she is progressing very well. Oh did I mention her size? She has tripled her weight in the four weeks we’ve had her. I know she’s going to be a big dog, but can we hang on to the small puppy stage a little longer?!

In which her owners are very proud.

Posted by shannamarie on December 5, 2009 at 12:03 pm in Uncategorized

Panda Bear never ceases to amaze. She is definitely highly intelligent… but every parent feels that way about their own, don’t they? But I’m serious – she grasps things quickly, and has already chosen her favorite path back into the house because the steps are shorter and less work. She’s learning to orient herself in the yard, she now knows what direction the house is in. She’s also learned that the master bedroom is not the whole of the house, and yearns to be let out into the rest of the house.

She’s also growing right in front of her eyes. Her legs are getting longer, and now, whenever she steps out of her bed – she stretches her legs out long and yawns. It’s funny.

I have to get back to cleaning the house, ta-ta!

In which she gets acclimated.

Posted by shannamarie on December 4, 2009 at 10:20 am in Uncategorized

We’ve been trying to get her acclimated to different things that will happen to her as she gets older, so that she behaves well. Things such as:

  • Wearing clothing
  • Wearing a harness
  • Being on a leash
  • Riding in a car [car manners]
  • Taking a bath
  • Standing still while being clipped [grooming manners]
  • Behaving well in public places
  • Being around other dogs, cats, children
    It would be disastrous for a large dog such as herself to be badly behaved or to give the groomer/vet a hard time.

In which she learns the meaning of sleep.

Posted by shannamarie on December 4, 2009 at 9:16 am in Puppy

Last night, Panda slept a solid 5 hours. Before, she was waking every hour and a half, crying to go to the bathroom. She slept, and didn’t muss her bedding. Good puppy, we’re so proud of you! When I took her outside, before setting her down, I whispered “Go pee” in her ear and set her down. She immediately squatted and eliminated! Yay!

Her legs are getting longer. It’s only been 4 days since we adopted her… I can only imagine how large she’ll be by the time her vet appointment arrives. I plan on taking pictures of her every Sunday for the first 6 months, and each month following that. Why Sunday? Because she was born on a Sunday, of course!

Her personality is sunny, prim, and serious. I can see how her puppy playfulness will fade as she gets older. I’ll have to figure out a job for her, to keep her occupied and happy. Both of her breeds are working dogs, and very serious and loyal temperaments.

From dogbreedinfo.com:

The Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is a capable and imposing guardian, devoted to its family, and somewhat wary of strangers – human or canine. They are often used to guard livestock. When not provoked, it is calm, well- mannered, and somewhat serious. Courageous, very loyal and obedient. Gentle and affectionate with those he loves. Devoted to family even if self-sacrifice is required. It is very gentle with its family and children. The Great Pyrenees is good with non-canine animals, and usually loves cats.

The Rottweiler

The Rottie is powerful, calm, trainable, courageous, and devoted to their owner and family. Loyal and protective, they will defend their family fiercely if needed, seemingly immune to pain. Serious, even-tempered, brave, confident and courageous, this breed needs an owner who is strong minded, calm, but firm and able to handle their massive size. A docile, natural guard dog with a laid-back, reliable temperament. They are highly intelligent and have proven their worth beyond question in police, military, and customs work over many centuries and can be trained for competitive obedience. Because of their size, training should begin when the dog is a small puppy. This breed needs a lot of leadership and socialization. It will accept cats, other dogs, and other household pets, as long as the dog has been socialized well and have owners who assert their authority over the dog. Friends and relatives of the family are normally enthusiastically welcomed. Strangers to whom the dog senses bad intentions from can get no further than the sidewalk.

So, in essence, Panda will be a natural guardian, devoted to her owners and family. Both breeds are serious and even-tempered, and so is she, already. She’s already proven her intelligence, which she got from her Rottweiler father. Not that her mom is dumb, but Rottweilers are noted for their intelligence. And she will definitely be a huge dog, friendly with cats and children. I really hope she has her father’s temperament and mind, with her mother’s good looks [I love the big fur!]

She’s the perfect addition to our family.

Panda has learned how to:

  • Sit [75%]
  • Come [50%]
  • Hop-run
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