It seems hard to believe, but we’ve had Schuyler for about four weeks now. She’s a very good, very playful puppy who learns very quickly. She’s completely paper trained, and now that she’s twelve weeks old she has the go-ahead from the vet to potty train outside (now we just need the weather to cooperate). Hopefully leash training will go just as smoothly.
The kids have easily adjusted to having a puppy around. Annabel has been a big help with potty training Schuyler, which I am very thankful for. I do have to remind her sometimes that Schuyler needs to run around and play, because if Annie had her way she’d just carry her around like cuddly stuffed animal all day. Luckily for Annie, Schuyler loves to curl up and accept affection and adoration.
And then there’s James, who I have to watch very carefully lest he pick her up incorrectly or (literally) smother her with hugs. Schuyler tolerates him very well, which I think has 100% to do with the fact that James almost always has stray food on his face or shirt.
I took Schuyler to the vet yesterday for her 12-week check up. She went from 2.4 pounds to 3.7 pounds in four weeks. Coincidentally, I had a similar proportional weight gain. Holidays, man. She took all of her vaccinations like a champ, without even a single whimper.
She is very popular at the vet’s office. Yesterday a parade of people came in just to say hi, and they were taking pictures with her and everything. And of course, Schuyler eats it up because ATTENTION AND AFFECTION! She also rewards her admirers with tail wags and face kisses. A big part of her draw yesterday was her appearance. Everyone was trying to guess what kind of dog she is. Her coloring favors her Yorkie mother, but even though her father was a Maltese mix she doesn’t resemble one. Mike and I think she has some Chihuahua in her, but several people at the vet’s office (including Schuyler’s actual vet) think she looks like a miniature Corgi. I don’t think her legs are short enough for that, but I can see the similarities.
As much as Schuyler loves the kids, she has really bonded with me. She’s happiest when she’s curled up next to me, or more specifically, ON me:
She treats me like a bed, but I’m not complaining. My job hunt has been hard, so it’s been a relief to have a fuzzy warm stress reliever curled up on my chest while I search for openings. I occasionally slip and call her Rigby (James helpfully shouts, “No, Rigby died!”), but considering I still sometimes call Annabel by my friends’ names and James by my brother’s name, I’ve cut myself some slack.
As long as I’m scratching her belly or ears, I don’t think Schuyler cares what I call her.
Tracey says:
She is adorable. I think she may have some Rat Terrier in her, judging by her ears and all the dogs that I have seen in my rescue work. In any event she is a sweetheart and I wish you and your family many happy years with her. My suggestion for leash training is to put a harness on her now and leave it on most of the day, let her get used to the feel of the harness and then add the leash. You can have one of the kids hold a toy or a treat and let her get used to walking with the leash to go get the treat. Then going outside on the leash will not be as strange to her.
Jackson says:
This is an excellent idea. When I get my puppy I will definitely do this.
Johanna says:
Such a cutie!
michelle says:
You should do the Wisdom Panel to see what type of dog she is!
Jackson says:
What is the Wisdom Panel? It sounds interesting/intriguing.
Kandi Ann Brewer says:
https://embarkvet.com/dogdnatestcomparison?gclid=CN2f_bSLuNECFQGLaQod4uUEbw
Jackson says:
She is just adorable. I own a Corgi who is nearing 16. I have had him since he was 11 weeks and at this time I do not see Corgi in your dog but time will tell if she shows some Corgi attributes.
Marjorie Steele says:
OMG she is so adorable!! I want to snuggle her and smell her puppy breath!!! So happy for you all.
Damita says:
I’m not in the market for a puppy (I have two dogs that already take up enough of my time) but OMG! Seeing Schuyler is giving me puppy fever so bad right now. She is so cute!
Rebecca says:
I thought “wow, she looks like she could have some corgi in her” as soon as I glanced at that picture of her standing. Then I continued reading your post and saw that she might!
Congratulations on your new puppy!
I adopted one from the SPCA a few months ago and he’s listed as a terrier mix, but I can’t figure out what he is! He almost looks like a cross between a miniature pinscher and a Rottweiler. I’m really tempted to get a DNA test done on him with Wisdom Panel to figure out what breeds he actually has in him.
Becca says:
I literally never used to understand why people meant when they said they had baby fever. (I mean, I knew what it meant but I never “got it”) I get it. I have puppy fever.
Anne says:
Requesting videos of Schuyler, please!
Lenora says:
OMG, so much cuteness!!
Kirsten says:
I don’t think I ever saw a post about your work situation changing.
Are you no longer freelancing??
Heather says:
I was on a long-term freelancing contract that ended suddenly. I’m still freelancing, but I like to find steady contract work (as opposed to pitching constantly) for my sanity!
Glenda says:
She is so cute! and tiny!
I thought a mix of Chihuahua (the face) and Yorkie.
Good luck with the job hunting!
Maddy says:
Aww so cute!! The SPCA I work at has on on-site vet that is open to the public so I take my puppy there. He loves it cause everyone there knows me and as a result he gets heaps of attention and cuddles (which to be fair he gets every time we go out anyway cause he is stupidly cute)
Lisa says:
Her eyebrows!!!!
Mel G says:
She’s a “Bitsa”….. bitsa this, bitsa that….
Sue says:
I see lots of Chihuahua in her.
Steph says:
Such an adorable puppy! Please forgive my chuckle at your line about James’s “helpful” shouting:)
Leah says:
The ears say Chihuahua (or Gremlin–daytime Gremlin). She’s unstoppably cute.
Jeanie says:
I mean this in the very best way possible. Really. She reminds me of a baby goat, or if you prefer, a kid. In some pictures she just looks like one. I hope you’re not offended. What’s cuter than a baby goat?
Heather says:
Oh my gosh, I totally see it!!! Not offended at all, that’s so hilarious!