Update on Little Alfie – Tuesday 7th July 2020

Update on Little Alfie

We’ve got an update on Little Alfie. He emailed us yesterday with a progress report and some photos. He’s already getting bigger. It’s going to be funny calling him Little Alfie when he ends up bigger than me. Anyway, here’s what he had to tell us.

Time apart from his humans

He says he sleeps in a crate at night and is being very good. He doesn’t get up until 5am, which is pretty good going when you’re small. He doesn’t cry at all when he’s left at night. He’s not quite so happy if his humans leave him at all during the day, but frankly which one of us is? He still has a little cry but he says he’s trying very hard.

He has asked if we’ve got any tips for how he can get to be allowed to sleep with his humans. Just hang in there buddy, use your big brown eyes and keep reminding them how cuddly you are. You’ll get there in the end.

Car travel

Little Alfie doesn’t understand why he’s not being allowed to sit in the passenger seat of the car. Well, little fellow, I know it’s not so much fun, but you really are safer in a crate in the boot. For one thing, if for any reason the car was in an accident, there is no risk of you getting out into traffic and that is very important. On top of that, we do know of one naughty puppy who chewed through some of the car’s electrics and cost their humans £5000 in repairs. They wouldn’t like that, however much they love you.

Toilet Commands

Little Alfie is very proud of learning his toilet commands. He says quite honestly the faster he can do it at the right times the better, because it is so embarrassing to have his humans shouting ‘wee wee’ all the time outside. Just humour them, it keeps them happy. You’ll soon learn that humans are strange. At least ours use the less embarrassing command of ‘go’ but we really do understand.

Play Biting

He says he is getting much better with not using his teeth at the wrong times. He’s quite proud of his new teeth and likes to use them if at all possible. Little Alfie, there are a few things you can do to help your humans here. Most importantly, explain to them that you are like any small child when teething and need to chew to help your teeth come through and because your gums are sore. Suggest they keep your chews to hand at all times. If you bite on the wrong thing, get them to pass you something you are allowed to chew. Frozen Kongs can be very good too as the cold will soothe your little gums.

You can also teach them through play. Let them put their hand in your mouth and then as you gently bring your teeth down, get them to do a pretend squeal. Never actually bit them, but you can keep their bite inhibition training going for ages and they will have great fun.

Update on Little Alfie Tricks

We’re really impressed to hear that Little Alfie is already learning tricks. He can do some of his basic training things like sit and lie down. But he has already learnt to give his paw to someone and is now working on roll over and crawl. Do send a video if you get chance, we’d love to see you in action.

We’re all really proud of you little fella and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Love

Wilma