The Fear Factor - Nemo 14 weeks

The last week or so Nemo has discovered fear. It is a stage all puppies go through around this age (between 8 to 16 weeks) and again at 7 to 8 months. You may have noticed your pup going through something similar. I don't remember seeing Jess go through it but it has been quite noticeable with Nemo as he has always been so cock sure of himself.

So far the things he has become scared of are - the hoover, the dark, Jess and Molly barking, the wheelie bin, and the window cleaner - more to do with his ladders than the window cleaner himself! It really has been quite remarkable. There was nothing in this world that would have convinced Nemo to walk past the window cleaners ladders - not even a treat I am sure, he was turning somersaults on his lead to avoid going anywhere near them.

The hoover has become public enemy number 1 to Nemo and that is really funny because even as a tiny 4 week old pup you could push the hoover right up close to him whilst he was sleeping and he wouldn't bat an eyelid, this week he won't go near it.

Otherwise Nemo is doing really well. He is continuing to grow at a pace - his paws are as big as the palm of my hand now - (I do have quite small hands though). He is enjoying a 15 minute walk in the woods each day. He would love to be able to keep up with his Mum, but he has got no chance. He walks really well on the lead but can get distracted by the other dogs, but for his age he is doing really well. He has mastered sit and wait but down is always a bit more difficult. I have never met a dog who took to the down command particularly well, they see it as submissive and don't like it, so it takes a little more time and patience. But with a few treats and some gentle encouragement he will get there. Even now Jess doesn't like being told "down", so she is also going through a re training program.

Check out the size of those paws!

Training with Andy