It's been a while since I posted about our little sweetie! So here's a little update. In general, we just see her getting happier and healthier as time goes on.
She's healthier, stronger and eager to play, walk and run each day. She's a pretty typical young terrier. She can run like the wind! She loves to fetch her ball. We take a couple of short walks each day and then have one big exercise time, whether it's a long walk or a run in the yard. She is NOT a couch potato. Rosa will not be happy if she doesn't get her exercise every day. Like I said, she's a young terrier!
But, she's also a snuggler and a good sleeper. She's always slept through the night. Hurray! After her walk and/or play time, she is very content to chill for a good long time. We do not feel she is a hyper dog. She will snuggle with you any chance she gets. She's such a warm little bundle! That should come in handy in a few months!
Self-play: If you give Rosa a soft toy, she will amuse herself for a long time. She loves it when you throw things for her as well. She likes the soft puppy teething toys and small stuffed squeaky toys.
When we're gone, we never put her in a kennel, although we did when we first brought her home. I don't know if she was already housebroken previously, but she seemed to master it overnight.
She sits nicely for her meals and for a treat and she comes nicely when you call her name. She's very patient when you put her harness on, but, she will expect a little rub and sweet talk from you when you're done. I think she'll be really easy to train. She's got great attention and she's very food motivated. Plus, I think she's a smart girl!
Bathroom habits: We take her out 3-4 times a day. Early morning, about 8 or 8:30, is a walk to take care of business. It doesn't take her long, she's very efficient. Then about 12 or 1 p.m. is just a quick pee in the yard. Another quick pee in the yard about 5 or so. Finally, a walk to take care of business again around 8 or 9 or so. She has no trouble waiting to go out in the morning, as long as she's done her business during her last walk the night before. If she hasn't, then we get her out much earlier in the morning. She's been very predictable in her bathroom habits. Breakfast is usually about 6:30 and dinner is at about 3 or 3:30.
We've found out with her that it's important to keep her food and bathroom breaks pretty regular. If we do that, no accidents. We found out the hard way a couple of times that giving her something extra, other than at lunch or dinner, may goof her up and then she might leave a little package for you, but not always. If we keep it at breakfast and lunch, with regular breaks, no problem. She's never had a peeing accident in the house.
Like almost all small dogs, she can still get a little barky with big dogs when we're out walking. She's gotten much, much better though. Tonight she walked by 2 big dogs without barking, though she pulled towards them. The deer that darted out in front of us really got her attention! We have large dogs on both sides of our home and she's gotten quite good with them now that she knows them. One of them, a Swiss Mountain/ Rottweiler mix got right in her face last week and she didn't bark or growl at all!
At first, Rosa would get quite nervous with people she didn't know and give a low growl, never nipping though. In view of all she's been through, no wonder she would be nervous about new people. She's so much better now, in fact, she doesn't seem nervous at all. We've had a number of parties this summer and she's been great with all the people, children and adults alike.
She rides nicely in the car. The first day we brought her home she vomited, but with her eye in such bad shape, I know she was terrified. She vomited one other time in the car, after her heartworm medicine, which I know is hard on their tummies. But she never got sick all the other times and we've taken her out a lot.
I think that's about it for now. She is an absolutely precious little love bug. She's an easy dog to have in your home.
