Week 2

Gertie has been here a week and a half now. I love our training time, its real quality time. Every night when the kids go to bed, she and I head outside with clicker and treats and practice. She responds so well, it's rewarding to me, and makes me want to do it more and so on. A great cycle. This week at puppy school we reviewed last weeks commands (sit, touch, respond to name and the basic turning clicker on) and we started loose leash walking. Gertie keeps exceeding my expectations because I underrate her puppiness! I always think oh this will be too much for her... but it never is. I'm constantly impressed at her obedience. She's a joy! She's wanted to sleep on her outside bed a couple of times which I am happy to let her do - saves me getting up 3 hourly for toilet trips and she doesn't cry so it's great. She's grown in the last week, I can notice it, though I still find it hard to believe she will get as big as she will! She's due for her next vaccination soon so we'll have to remember to get that booked in this week, too.

Here she is being cheeky!

And here she is today... look at those eyes!!!

She's here!

Gertie has been home for 4 days now and is settling in so well. She has taken to the pets and kids brilliantly and seems comfortable and relaxed. We started training on Sunday, and she slept through most of it, lol. I took it in, though, and last night we did a session and she responded so well to the clicker. It's going to be a lot of fun. I am exhausted waking every 2-3h to take her out to pee at night, but shes had few accidents so its worth it. I adore her, absolutely smitten. Here she is, taken this morning:

Hello!

I thought about doing this blog from Gertie's perspective, a little like Honey or Lilli... but I can't do it. I'm not cute enough to pull that off. Regardless, this blog is all about Gertie!

Gertie isn't here yet, mind you. She is due to arrive this week, on Thursday the 23rd. I've been waiting for her for almost 4 weeks now. I bought her on January 24. And she is freaking adorable. Seriously. I was a bit nervous at first - for years and years I have wanted a Great Dane, but have never been sure the time was right. Now I am 110% certain now is right! I am so ready for her. She has food, bowls, toys, a bed, and a collar and leash waiting for her. She and I are booked into puppy and dog training (2 classes) as of next Sunday, and I have pet insurance. Solid! I also just got a clicker ordered, and am looking forward to moving on to that form of training once she gets the basics down at classes.

The first 2 pictures of Gertie that her breeder sent me, I am still trying to guess which one she is. Since at that point I had simply picked a girl pup, and had not yet been allocated a specific one. Now I know which she is, and this is my girl at 7 weeks.

I think this is Gertie at 6 weeks...

And here she is at 4 weeks, when I first chose to get her!

Told you she was adorabubble!