March 27, 2009

• Spring Break for Chazz

  Claudio and Ryan are driving up the coast for Spring Break this week with Victor & David so Chazz is with me.  He’s still only 5 1/2 months old, but he’s really never been left alone, save for that hour in January when he decided to take up reading:

  

  The other day though, we had to leave him alone for five hours.  I was pretty sure I had puppy proofed the spare bedroom, but I had forgotten about the shoes under the futon and the stack of business cards stashed under the desk.  This is what we came home to:

  

  I need to read up on separation anxiety in puppies.  I hear it’s worse in Boxers and Chazz surely has Boxer in him. Cesar says “no touch, no talk, no eye contact”, which for me seems next to impossible:

  No touch, no talk, no eye contact. Practice this rule when you leave and again when you return. By doing this, you are letting your dog know that your separation is not a big deal. For some dogs five minutes of “no touch, no talk, no eye contact” can solve the problem. For others, you may have to start practicing the rule an hour before you leave. 

  Say goodbye long before you leave. If you are having trouble practicing “no touch, no talk, no eye contact”, take a moment to tell your dog how much you will miss him and share affection long before you actually leave. Remember, this display is for you — not your dog! Your dog won’t be hurt that you didn’t kiss him goodbye before leaving for work.

  Practice! Start out small; leave your dog alone for five minutes. Then the next time, expand the time to 20 minutes. Then an hour. Continue increasing the time until you can leave your dog alone for a full 8-hour business day. 

  Maintain calm-assertive energy. This is crucial! Don’t feel sorry, nervous, or concerned. Project the confident energy of a pack leader. Let your dog know that everything is going to be alright.

  Other that that incident though, we’ve had a good week.  While taking these photos, rolling in the grass at the Pacific Design Center however, I lost my phone. 

  

  

  

  

  When I realized it had fallen out of my pocket, I went back to find it and someone had already picked it up.  I sent texts, but never heard from anyone.  I needed a new phone anyway, so this is what I got:

  

  So far, it seems like a pretty decent phone.  I have 30 days to decide if I like it.  If not, I’ll switch to T-Mobile and get a Google phone (G1).  By the way, if you’re one of my Xanga friends who know me personally, send me your phone # again, as I lost a bunch of numbers.  Thanks!

  Here are a few more photos from Chazz’s Spring Break:   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  • 1:55 am
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