First few months with Dyno

Time flies, it's already been three months with Dyno.

So how I chose him was easy, I wanted a male and there were three males in the litter, and I had the second choice as my deposit came in second. Actually, I was fourth on the list so I was not even supposed to get one from that litter, but two persons backed out. Two males had a white marking on their neck and 1 did not. I thought a poodle with only one colour was much cuter, so I already knew I wanted him. I was so sure that the first person would pick him, but it turned out that they really wanted a dog with the white marking on the neck. I did not play with the other puppies, did not wait to see which one will choose me, did not spend time analyzing their personalities...not so important to me as puppies will become who you shape them to be.

When I went to pick him up at the breeder's, he started shaking as soon as I held him. Then the breeder fed him his pill to prevent nausea due to change of environment, and that sneaky boy hid the pill between the cracks of his mouth. When I put him in the carrier, he was looking outside wondering what the hell is was doing in the car. He was super tiny and surprisingly quiet. I felt so bad for him because he must felt so lost.

Luckily, he did not pee in the car on the way home. I trained him to pee on a pad at home which took 3 days. I say 3 days, but there are obviously accidents after those 3 days, but very seldomly. If a puppy does not have accidents, it doesn't mean he is potty trained, it only means that you as a dog owner is very well-trained. Puppies have not developed control of their bladder, so to say they are potty trained before that is a big lie. If I had a choice, I would bring him outside, but it was in the middle of winter, and I live on the 6th floor of a condo. Trust me, puppies pee and poop ALOT. I would need to put on my winter gear too often, and I really don't feel like going outside in the middle of the night. Obviously, now that it's warmer, I started taking him out and taught him to use a bell to let me know he had to go. He learned very quickly.

I have not heard him bark until a couple of days after I got him, which I then taught him the "speak" and "silent" command. I did not only want to teach him to be silent as it's natural for dogs to bark... but there is nothing more unforgivable than dogs that bark at everything. There is no doubt that poodles are one of the smartest dogs, which is also why I hate the hype over doodle dogs, as it's just mixing them with dumber breeds. Also, a mutt is not necessarily healthier which is one of the biggest misconception. If you choose a good breeder, a pure breed is actually healthier and their temperament is predictable. You will only get the best of the best if you choose well.

I also crate trained him, which took longer as he has isolation anxiety. He would bark furiously and cry when he is in there. Sometimes, he would not stop for hours. I would say it took a good 3 weeks before I started putting in effort to train him to like his crate. I can't say he loves being in there, but I know he feels safe and he knows that his corner. Sometimes, it was so hard that I really want to just grab him and have him sleep on my bed, but I resisted. If you want a well-trained puppy, you got to learn tough love first. The reason I crate trained him is because I think he would sleep better, and I would sleep better, and it would train him to hold his bladder, develop some independence which is so important for dogs.

The fact that I can bring him everywhere really helped him with socialization. I bring him to eat with me in restaurants as he stays quiet in the carrier under the table, and most people don't know or don't mind his presence. He has been to many places, met many people, met many dogs and stays calm in all situations. I really put a lot of effort socializing him and did so before he was fully vaccinated and wanted him to be friendly...but now, he is too friendly. I didn't know that before but by the time a puppy is fully vaccinated, he will be 4 months old, which is already past their optimal socialization period. There are greater risk for a dog to be abandoned due to lack of socialization than contaminating parvovirus.

Now, I got to start training him to be alone, which will be hard as I'm with him all the time..but I will put some effort into that in the next few weeks. Just thinking about how he would not stop crying and scratching at the shower door when I would go in during the first couple of weeks and now he doesn't even care, I'm sure it is possible for him to learn to be alone...

The first week, I was constantly supervising him and I was so tired and sleepy, but after the first week, it was much better. Now, it's already been 3 months that he keeps me busy with his potty breaks, and all the love and fun. He also has grown 3 times bigger.

Obviously the first year in owning a dog is the hardest. Dogs don't develop their personality until they are a 1 to 2 years old. There are 1 in every 4 dogs that are re-homed before they are 1 year old in Quebec, because the adolescence phase is the hardest. He will want to test all your limits. If you can go through the first year, he will be your best friend, but for now, he is still a baby that needs to be taken care of. My Dyno isn't that bad, he stopped eating my plants but he still steals my socks and shorts. That face he makes when he knows he did something bad is way too funny.

I also thought that I would get a hiking partner but puppies can't even exercise for more than 5 minutes per month of age until they are 1 year old because their bones are growing so fast so it's fragile. If you are expecting a puppy to be your partner to do all the fun activities, it will not happen. He might want to keep up with you to please you, but you will pay the price later. I can tell you that most people don't even know that. One person really needs to be dedicated because you have to educate yourself before you educate your dog.

Before Dyno, I had no attachment for dogs, and I'm still mostly indifferent about most dogs. I got him at a very busy time in my life and I thought I would never have time for a dog, but priorities change and I make time for him. When I'm not with him, I'm like...thank god I'm free! But I always start missing him after a few hours. I used to date that guy that had a dog that I hated so much, he would grunt at me when I'm eating and all. If my dog did this, I would put him in time-out. What I hate most are dogs that are not well-behaved, so my dog can only be the best.

So, I don't think he will pay me back for that trip, even though he said he would shortly after we broke up. I told him it's his problem, it's him who has to look in the mirror and see what a low class loser he is. As for me, I got everything I want in my life and could not care less for 2K$, but I'd rather spend 2K$ on my dog than on him, so yes, I'm pissed.

I told him I'm glad his father died because he would not be proud of him. Some men say they want ambitious women, but not as ambitious as themselves, which they obviously will not admit. The only reason he feels the need to bring me down all the time is because I'm more successful than him in all aspects in life.

Even when we were traveling, we argued a lot. He kept complaining about how I never discussed budget with him and that everything is too expensive. I have not discussed budget with him because I don't have one, and I assumed that if he accepted to come with me that he's mature enough to know whether he can afford it. Also, quite honestly, we have not spent on anything extravagant, other than the car, which I offered to pay most of it. If he had no money, he could drink less alcohol, but why would you complain if you got no self-discipline. Such a loser.

He has a lot of debts, and he does not have his shits together. I once wanted to make an effort to make things work between us, and I asked him how much he would pay me to live with me...He said 400$, hydro and internet included. I was like...wtf, I'm not expecting him to pay half of my mortgage, since it's my mortgage, but at least be reasonable. Hydro depends on usage so it's pretty ridiculous to not pay that if he lives here. To give you an idea, to rent a unit in my building would cost no less than 2K$, nothing included, but I don't even want him to pay me half of that...just something reasonable, y'know.

Not to mention that when he comes here, he does not give a fuck about anything just because it's my place, not his. He leaves his garbage everywhere, double-dips with his fork in everything, everything is dirty when he leaves. I already got to pick up after my dog, I don't need to pick up after him.

Then I asked him, what if I want to travel, will I be able to travel alone since you got no money? He said no and started getting angry. That's just what happens...moving in is easy, asking him to move out later will be harder. It also gives him an excuse to be lazy, and rely on me. He could easily say he hates his job so he quits, it's okay... it's Elaine's place anyway, she will pay. I understand that sometimes in a relationship, it's not always half-half, and things are not always fair. When one is not doing so well, then you help them...but still, this is different.

Also, I'm just reminded of something that proves my point. One week before we left for the trip, he wanted to stay in Montreal on Monday so he called his boss to ask for a day off. His boss refused, and he quit on the spot. Now that I think about it, he said he will pay me back after the trip and if he already knew he could not, then why the heck did he quit his job? He was probably already thinking of getting a free ride.

I hope he dies.