I walked into the Kennel on August 10th and found Lucy, my new ShihTzu puppy, in a crate waiting for me to take her home. She was lying on a small blanket, and when she looked up at me with her little black eyes, I had a new understanding of love at first sight.

After one week, I am entertained and exhausted instead of lonely and bored.

Backing up a bit, I prepared for Lucy. Online shopping isn’t my thing, but I scanned puppy sites for hours and ordered everything my puppy training class recommended. I waited with anticipation as the brown boxes arrived at my door. The small collar was too big, the food and water dishes were big enough for an Alaskan husky, the metal crate was so heavy I could barely lift it, and the tote to carry her necessities was big enough to hold Lucy, her things, and two cocker spaniels.

Back to the training class, I purchased online. The first and foremost tip on training was to keep your puppy on a leash. Since I couldn’t find a collar small enough to stay on Lucy’s neck and couldn’t figure out how to attach the harness, a leash was challenging, and Lucy wanted no part of it. She planted her two-pound body on the floor, and the only way she moved was if I pulled the leash and dragged her.

The second tool to the training involved treats, and Lucy did not like the ones I bought—chicken or peanut butter. She sniffed and turned her face away. After the first six hours with Lucy, it was time for bed. It was barely dark, but I was tired. She reluctantly stayed in the kennel, and I set the alarm so I could take her outside every two hours like the training video insisted—an hour for every month of their age, and Lucy was two months and five days.

The training involves conditioning myself not to sleep sound or in, to be hyper-aware of all Lucy’s movements, and to be patient.

After one week, I am happy to report Lucy now likes both treats and runs to me when I say, “Lucy, come!” which is crucial because she refuses a leash, and running in the street is not recommended. Last night she and I slept from nine to six. I removed most rugs in the house, bedroom doors are closed, and now, if she has an accident in the place, I can see it—a plus for sure.

Someone said a puppy was like having a toddler. I agree the pre-training information is similar. All the advice we get and read is a bit unrealistic and causes me to have momma guilt because it surely must be my fault Lucy’s behavior doesn’t mimic the service dogs in the training video.

Would I do it again? Absolutely!

Until the next time: Live while you live.

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