Two days down. . .

Our doggy boot camp has gone surprisingly well. For two days now, our house has been free of dog waste products. I have been taking her on at least one 20 minute walk a day. Today she got an hour of exercise/walks outside and was rewarded with supervised off the leash time in the house. I do not take my eyes off of her for a second when she is out of her kennel. I know she's just waiting for me to turn my head so she can "go" on the carpet.

So things are better. It sucks in the morning. I usually sleep in as late as possible and don't move much in the first hour. Now though, if I'm the one up first I have to take her out and deal with a dog who has been locked in a kennel all night and wants to have some room to move. I tell ya, I don't understand those people who have a dog and full time jobs. After being in a kennel all night the dog gets 30-60 minutes out and then goes back in for another 8-9 hours while their owners are at work. That would suck the big one.

My advice to anyone who wants to get a dog would be this:

1. Get one that is at least 2 years old. That is the end of the puppy stage for most breeds.
2. My dog is 8 pounds and would love to run for a few blocks at the beginning of each walk. Pick the size of your dog wisely. Realize that every dog needs a daily walk no matter how big or great your yard is.
   
3. If you do not want to housebreak a dog, buy it from a breeder with a guarantee or a rescue organization where the dog has been fostered. Do not go through a classified ad (like I did).
4. Make sure the dog is kennel trained. This is 100% necessary for your sanity. When the dog is too much, for whatever reason, you can put it in the kennel and take a break. If you feel guilty, give it some snacks or a chew toy. It will be fine.
5. Training classes are not an option.
6. Spaying/neutering is not an option.

There are so many great resources on the web and through Humane Societies. No one should be living with a misbehaving dog. And no one should have to adopt a dog that doesn't fit their life or commitment style.

I was a cat person before Dodi, but once she is housebroken I think she will be less work. At least with her I am picking up the poop in my yard after it arrives. With the cats, I let the litter box go until it was a brick of horrific odors. I am also getting a lot more exercise. The weather this last week has been mild, but there is no way I would have been out in it if it wasn't for Dodi. Noah and I even went to a state park for a walk around the lake.

So things are going good. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!