Bernard’s Adventures Begin

Posted on June 22, 2007
Filed Under Miniature Schnauzers |
« Preparing Our Home for the New Puppy | Bernard around the House »

Today Bernard has finally arrived home!

As I stepped into the breeder’s house today I think it’s fair to say Bernard knew something was up. When I arrived, he went down on his belly, put his head between his paws and looked up suspiciously at me from under his eyebrows. But he had the time it took the breeder to show me Bernard’s paperwork to warm to me and by the time he was in his cage, he was so very quiet and calm.

On the 40 minute drive back to my house (which saw the most careful driving I think I have ever done)  Bernard was very well behaved. He was as quiet as a mouse with only the occasional whimper. When I got the chance to look at him, he was watching the world go by the window, taking it all in.

As I carried Bernard, still in his crate, into our kitchen the poor little mite was shaking like a leaf. I think he only managed to stay on his feet because he was so incredibly petrified. I put his crate on the floor, opened the door and let him take his time to come out. A few tentative steps, then a sniff, a look around and the a run over to me. Plenty of attention soon made Bernard relax as he began to explore his new home. In fact, he got a little over excited and didn’t know what to do with himself.

We had wanted to take Bernard straight into the garden to kick start his toilet training but, this being England in June, it was throwing it down with rain. And of course whilst waiting  for a break in the clouds, Bernard gave into his Miniature Schnauzer urges and emptied his bowels on the floor. This was followed shortly by a wee, and then (despite not being sick in the car) he threw his tea up. The whole gamut of bodily functions in less than an hour!

We spent the rest of the evening playing with him, saying “No!” at play bites on my trousers and trying to get him to relieve himself in the garden (which he failed to do before bed).

Trying to get Bernard to sleep in his bed has also failed miserably. He just wanted to be close to us and settled down for the night on the other side of the living room door. We’d prepared ourselves for a fair amount of whining tonight and at first we thought Bernard had gone straight to sleep but this was just a trick. Soon the whining starts and I defy anyone who says they can ignore a puppy’s whines with out feeling a little sorry for the dog. Staying in your seat and not going to give him a stroke and comfort him on his first night in a strange house is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do for a long time.

Finally, he quietened down and is currently fast asleep. Getting ready for a whole day’s worth of adventure tomorrow!

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