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 25:

• Teething
  • the last baby tooth has fallen out!
  • does not mean teething is over, but it's a big step toward the end!
  • adult teeth are still “settling in” so lots of chewing going on in this phase
• Continue training
  • continuing with everything we've been doing so far
  • continuing work toward a reliable retrieve/fetch
  • starting to add in hand signals for things like Sit, Down and Stand
  • working on “Sleep” position (lying flat on side w head down – we use this position for nail trims)
  • working on Chin Rest on a towel
    • will be using this for his consent-based husbandry care
    • especially when getting shots like his rabies which we do at six months
• Continue with group training classes
  • continues Polite Pooches Class out and about
  • has joined the Dogs Unleashed Class
    • we work on skills required to earn off leash reliability
      • responsiveness when outdoors
      • learning how to stay tuned in when outdoors
• Fear period/sensitive phase
  • though not thoroughly documented, lots of dog experts believe dogs can go through “fear periods” or sensitive periods
  • continuing with this more sensitive period and being careful to help him work through things that worry him
• Continue walks on property trails
• Working on allowing more access in the house
  • has been going to the bedroom with me now when I need to put away laundry, etc.
    • working on NOT chewing on Ed's sleep mask or my slippers
    • working on hanging out on the dog bed in the bedroom and rewarded for remaining there
    • make sure there are toys there to play with
  • taking him up to my office in the loft
    • learning to hang out and nap on the loveseat while I work at my office desk
    • or napping at my feet
    • really liked paper coming out of the printer – fascinating if you've never seen something like that before!
• Play
  • likes to play Fetch with a ball or a Wubba toy
    • this week decided to turn try a new version: Full Contact Fetch
      • in this version, when you bring the ball back, you run straight into the person who threw it before dropping it
      • Zooka seems to enjoy it
      • I do not
      • we are working on playing by MY RULES for Fetch!
      • do you have clear RULES FOR PLAY?!
• Field trips
  • vet office
    • we did a “happy visit”
    • no appointment
    • went in at a slow office time
    • weighed him on the scale in the reception area
    • met the receptionists
    • spent a couple of minutes in an empty exam room
    • got lots of treats
    • in preparation for his rabies vaccine at six months
  • local outlet mall
    • been here before
    • we did not go in any stores this time, just walked the outdoor aisles
    • got to meet a few people
    • mostly people-watched
    • worked on leash manners in a different setting than our usual walks
  • Dawson Butte Open Space
    • have not been here before
    • a fairly flat hike
    • did a fair amount of pulling at first until we got settled into the hike
      • had him on a ten foot line and most of our walks are on a twenty foot line
    • saw several other hikers
    • saw six horses, two of whom were up close
      • did a very good job sitting quietly off to the side while they passed on the trail!
    • saw two other dogs
      • sat very nicely while one jumped and barked at us (just wanted to play)
      • pulled pretty hard to get to the other one (who did not want to play)
        • I should have pulled further off to the side on this one
        • we tried to keep walking past and he did not do terribly well with that particular strategy
    • saw four bicyclists
  • Polite Pooches Class
    • Redstone Park where we've been several times before
    • doing really well with his Stays
    • getting better on leash manners with lots of distractions (some times!)
    • worked on catching tossed treats for the first time – he's a natural!
• Play Dates
  • first week we have not been able to get in any specially scheduled play dates
  • did play through the fence with the current boarding dogs
    • not allowing him to play loose in the back yard with these guys just yet
      • the guys this week are pretty big (Newfoundland and Great Dane)
      • while both love to play, we are concerned about him getting under foot or getting run into while racing around
  • also got to see his friends at both Polite Pooches and Dogs Unleashed, so they “played” a little bit on leash before/after class