- Take the puppy on a play date with nine other dogs in a big open field with a few inches of snow. Allow the 10 dogs to play for 45 minutes.
- Take the puppy to the dog park. Allow the puppy to play with three other dogs for 30 minutes, followed by sprinting with him up and down the park after the rest of the dogs leave.
- Collapse in a heap because there’s no way you can tire out your puppy without completely tiring yourself out.
Or so I learned this weekend. Cooper had three play dates at two different parks. In total, he played with 15 other dogs (including Emmett and Lucas) in two days. And yet, he takes a little disco nap and is good to go! Not just good to go. READY to go.
We’ve gone on walks, played with toys, trained lots of fun behaviors, and while Emmett and Lucas excuse themselves to their cozy beds, Cooper is still… ready to go!
He’s not a huge fan of the cold, unless he’s ripping around top speed through the snow. After he’s through playing, he’s found his favorite place to warm up. (Please ignore the tufts of dog fur floating across my floor in the following picture. I sweep every day. I swear.)
All in all, though, having a puppy around is an absolute delight. For all his rambunctious play – and for all the tormenting of Emmett and Lucas – he’s a little cuddle bug who snuggles in my lap every night. He’s incredibly bright and enjoys learning. He’s fearless (yay!) and so far loves going everywhere. Emmett and Lucas have realized that he’s here to stay, and they’re – for the most part – welcoming him into our little herd!
Tons more pics and videos to come, after I recuperate from all my weekend puppy play activities!
Lori @ According to Gus says
01•11•11 at 11:48 amDisco nap…love it 🙂 M and I always say we wish we had “puppy Gus” back for a day. We’ve obviously forgotten how tiring puppies are!
Kristine says
01•11•11 at 2:32 pm#3 made me laugh out loud as I know that feeling all too well.
Disco nap, I like it. Is that what it’s called?
Peggy @Peggy's Pet Place says
01•11•11 at 3:45 pmHow clever to sit on the heating vent! Yes, if only we all had the energy of a puppy, just think how productive we’d be!
mayziegal says
01•11•11 at 11:09 pmWhew! Puppies sure sound like a lotta work. But a whole lotta fun, too! Cooper sure is lucky that he gets to grow up in a house filled with lots of luv!
Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie
Chandra says
01•12•11 at 7:01 pmDisco nap! NICE! Love the photos and enjoyed your Q&A for the Pet Blogger Challenge. This is my first visit to your blog and I’ll be back!
-Chandra at Daley’s Dog Years
Maggie says
01•12•11 at 7:04 pmHaha! Thanks for the comments, everyone. Cooper succeeded in wearing me out again today, but instead of via exercise, it was all about pulling things out of his mouth!
Nice to e-meet you, Chandra!
Trupanion says
02•02•11 at 7:31 pmOh boy, that sounds exhausting! But his cute puppy face would be hard to be mad at. lol
Lauren says
06•09•11 at 3:11 amI feel you. I’ve got 3 large dogs, all of whom need more exercise than they’re getting despite my large yard. My 8-month-old recently had the time of his life, learned better manners (not to jump on people), got great human socialization & was exhausted for the next 24 hours when I took him to work with me where I bartend. Although a bar is not an ideal place to tire a puppy out, if you ever have any gatherings you can take him to it might do the trick. Have a party at your house. =)