Raising a Puppy: Mia the Blue-Nose American Bully Pit—15 weeks old
A day in the life with Mia the American Bully (Bully Pit) puppy. Mia's ninth week—15 weeks old, 28 pounds, 14 1/2 inches from the ground to the highest point of the shoulders (the withers).
15 weeks old (about 3 1/2 months)
The Cat
Mia says hello to Mini, the cat. They touch noses as they smell one another.
When they finish smelling they just look at one another. Mini's reaction confirms Mia's energy is something that means no harm. If Mia was seeing the cat as prey the cat would definitely know and would have given her a swat and/or hissed and possibly run off. The two of them had an entire conversation in animal language that most humans would have missed entirely since it is often silent.
Road Trips
The pack goes for a road trip in the back of a 1986 Toyota 4Runner. Mia travels very well. She loves to snuggle up to her brothers.
Playing with Spencer
Mia plays with her toy duck out in the snow with Spencer, the Pit Bull. Spencer has a blast outrunning her. Oh Spencer, wait until she grows up. You're going to have to run a little faster to keep that game going.
No Barking at Other Dogs
We went to a park to go on a pack walk with some doggie friends, Bowie, the Shiloh Shepherd, and Hector, the Pug. There was a Puggle walking by (not pictured) and Hector the Pug began to bark wildly.
Bruno and Spencer knew to ignore the racket coming from the other dogs, but this was all new to Mia. She began to bark and let out a growl. "HEY! NO!" I gave her a leash correction. We do not act out even when other dogs are doing it. Mia looked up at me and sat down. "Oh, mommy didn't like me acting like that." She sat down next to her brothers who were calmly watching and copied them. Good girl, Mia. That's much better.
Playing with Cousin Hector
After the pack walk Mia and Spencer play with Hector, the Pug. Mia approaches Hector in a very submissive manner. Her body is curled and she is holding herself low in a playful non-threatening manner.
Hector has his guard up a little. His body is stiff and square and his head is high.
Mia continues to hold herself low initiating a play session. Hector turns his head to avoid eye contact. He tells Mia that while he is not fully relaxed, he still does not want a confrontation.
Spencer runs over and all out play bows at Hector, which sends Hector into play mode.
Spencer and Mia both have very submissive body postures. Their heads are low; their tails are wagging and are parallel to the ground. Hector is still a bit squared up. He is less relaxed but still meaning no harm.
Mia follows Hector through the snow. "Wait for me!"
Mia and Spencer also play with one another. Mia loves biting on the extra skin on Spencer's face and Spencer bites him back.
Spencer is curled in a submissive gesture, his head and tail are low and his ears are slightly back. Mia is about to playfully chomp on Hector's face. Hector is now in play mode.
They all run across the yard.
Hector rolls belly-up in a very submissive gesture to both Spencer and Mia. Spencer takes this time to get to know Hector better by smelling him, while Mia licks his face.
Walk Progress
While out today two different people in two different locations complemented the packs behavior. One lady was walking by as we were standing out in front of a store waiting for Amie to come out. As she passed she said "Dogs that actually listen, that's wonderful." The second person was a lady behind us at a pet store. She was very respectful remaining calm and not getting the pack all riled up. She stated, "Your dogs are so well behaved. It is nice to see that. Most dogs are not because the owners do not take the time to train them." A well-behaved human talking to a well-behaved pack is a perfect combination.
Mia is currently learning the "wait" command, which means stand still. I use it to stop Mia from sniffing all around tangling up all of the leashes and eating random things from the ground when we stop. She is beginning to learn the concept and did very well on today's walk.
In case anyone is wondering about Spencer's shoes, Spencer has always had a habit of scraping the top of his nails on the ground as he walks. It has caught up with him and he has worn his nails down a bit too far. The shoes are to allow his nails to grow longer. Silly Spencer. Maybe the shoes will teach you to pick your feet up just a little higher.
On a Walk
We went for a walk to a park surrounded by an industrial complex. Trucks, buildings, machines, noises, this was a lot to take in. When we reached a hill that overlooked the park Mia became hesitant. She perked up and looked unsure. The hair went up on her back. We are up really high. Look at that view and listen to all those new sounds.
A bus drove by, trucks were doing their thing, and odd noises were coming from buildings. We all stopped and stayed quiet to let Mia absorb her surroundings.
When Mia started eating goose poop and ignoring everything that was going on around her I knew she was no longer wary. It was time to move on, right after I picked a chunk of poop out of her mouth! YUCK!
We practiced a lot of stops and “waits”.
We also practiced posing for the camera. "Stay, good babies."
At one point a lady stopped her car beside us, rolled down her window and made kissy sounds at the dogs with a big smile on her face. I smiled, said hello and kept walking. Luckily, none of the dogs tried to pull into the road to say "hi" back to her.
The Spin
Mia learns to spin. Mia and Spencer also do the trick together. It was easy to teach both Pit Bulls to spin. Bruno, the Boxer, has not gotten the spin trick down yet. It does not come easy to him.
It's Cold! Let me in!
Mia was just outside doing her business.
It's freezing outside and she does not like the cold. When she is finished she heads for the house.
Let me inside please...
Listen to her pitiful cry. It is the same cry she had when I would take her out to potty during the many snowstorms. Oh it's SO COLD! Brrrrrrr!!! When I open the door she runs right for her toy.