Adopting a puppy is like having a newborn baby in the house

People say that. I’ve heard them. They’ve even said it to me. Some of them have been parents themselves.

Adopting a puppy is like having a newborn baby in the house. You’ll be like a single parent.

There are fundamental differences between a newborn babies and a 9 week old puppies. If you leave either of them alone, they will cry. If you leave a baby alone until it stops crying it will probably sleep. If you leave a puppy alone until it stops crying, it may sleep…or it may destroy everything it can get its tiny little pointy sharp teeth on.

Puppies are mobile and potentially destructive. Babies need to be encouraged to crawl and to walk. Puppies need to be discouraged from escaping and exploring.

Both types of infants are pretty helpless in the bowel and bladder control area. If you lay a baby down it will soil itself in its crib. Puppies don’t like to soil their sleeping areas, they would much rather soil yours.

Babies can be fitted with diapers. Puppies can also be fitted with diapers…in the same way that puppy owners can be fitted with straight jackets–that’s crazy talk.

The bonus with puppy ownership is a little marvel called “crate training” which works on the principle of a dog’s need to have a den to sleep in or take refuge. This is usually accomplished through the use of an animal transport crate and allows the owner of the dog to enjoy a little peace and quiet while puppy sleeps or chews on toys or objects the owner has selected for destruction in this manner. Now, try this with a baby and I can’t promise positive results… though you might expect a visit from child services.

This has been my life for the past few days: take Abby out to the “soiling area”… bring her in and feed her … take her out again … put her in her crate … take her out to the “soiling area” … bring her in and play with her … give her some water … take her out again … put her in her crate again … and on it goes.

Not sure how to continue this training after I return to work on the 3rd of January. My mom seems willing to come out during the day and puppysit, but I don’t know how long she can handle that.

I’ll work it out somehow.