This post is part of our weekly series on raising our Vizsla puppy, Zooka.  You can use our posts as a guide to help raise your own puppy, regardless of breed. Keep in mind that different breeds might develop at different rates, so while you can do these things with any breed, your breed might need certain things at slightly different stages or ages.  Click here to see our list of all updates.

Notes from Week 24:

• Teething
  • as far as we can tell, there is only one of the sharp “fangs” left to fall out
  • but he's still teething as the adult teeth are still coming in/settling in
• Continue training
  • continuing with everything we've been doing so far
  • continuing work toward a reliable retrieve/fetch
  • starting on Back Up
• Fear period/sensitive phase
  • though not thoroughly documented, lots of dog experts believe dogs can go through “fear periods” or sensitive periods
  • this past week, Zooka seems to be going through a more sensitive period
  • things that didn't bother him (or bother him as much) he is more sensitive and easily spooked by
    • a crumpled up rug sitting outside the door while we clean
    • a tree stump that he ignore before
    • mostly things he SEES that he hasn't figured out what they are
    • he will growl/bark at these items and not approach
    • if I approach and show him it's nothing scary, he will approach and check it out
    • we NEVER NEVER force him to the scary object
    • we reward his choice to investigate
    • we approach on our own to show we feel safe around it and it won't hurt us
    • we give him time to approach at his own pace and ensure it's his CHOICE
    • if we simply walked away, he would not get the chance to process it in his brain and figure it out
• Document weight and height at start of each new week
  • this is the first week since we brought him home that he did NOT grow in height
  • a bit of a plateau, but we know he still has growing to do!
  • weight continues to increase 1-2 pounds per week
• Continue walks on property trails
• Field trips
  • day trip in the mountains
    • short hike in the morning
    • couple of other stops along the drive to explore and hang out
  • local park
    • been there before
    • for Polite Pooches Class, so with his buddies
    • got to meet a young girl who liked to run in circles
  • local store, Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply
    • first time at this particular store
    • very few customers
    • employees all love dogs, so he got doted on by just about every employee he met
      • got some treats from one employee – who thankfully asked him to Sit, Down, and make good decisions to get the treats!
      • he was very polite in his greetings
      • when I would stop to look at something, he would lie down and wait at my feet without me saying anything
    • he earned himself a new toy!
  • play date at friend's house
    • have been here before but it's been quite a while
    • got to go back and meet their two horses
      • approached them in their stalls and was able to get nearly nose-to-nose
      • was not afraid, was curious but cautious
      • was very well-behaved
      • got spooked when one horse kicked his Jolly Ball and it made a rather loud noise on the floor of the stall
        • he immediately wanted to leave the barn, which we did
        • he was still looking around to figure out what the noise actually was
      • got to meet another guy who was there to maintain sprinklers
      • got to check out some metal statues that he had not noticed last time we were there
• Play Dates
  • • mixed breed adult female
      • we've played with her a few times before
    • mixed breed adult female
      • we've played with her a few times too, but it's been a while
      • she's older and does not have the stamina of his younger playmates
      • met at their house, so he got a chance to play away from home
      • learning to listen when another dogs says they've had enough
        • this is a work in progress!
    • social skills are pretty good
      • he can be obnoxious, as all puppies can!
      • he knows how to “grovel” (be submissive) when someone scolds him
      • he is learning how to adapt his play to how rough the other dog likes to play
      • he is still learning how to take No for an answer
        • back off without continuing to pester a dog who is done playing
        • this one still needs help but we're working on it!