A day in the life with Mia the American Bully (Bully Pit) puppy. Mia's seventeenth week—23 weeks old, 47 pounds, 17 1/4 inches from the ground to the highest point of the shoulders (the withers).
23 weeks old (About 5 months)
Mia does a great job leaving the Phantom Vision Quadcopter (aka, a drone) alone. She trots on by as she glances up at it...
... and settles in behind Stephen in what we call the "Mia-Lean" position.
Speaking of the Mia-Lean, here she is leaning the same way on Spencer as he takes a nap in the driveway.
The other day I was doing the dishes and Mia came over, sat down, and leaned on the back of my legs. I didn't have my camera close enough so I couldn't get a picture. It' so cute you don't want to move when she does it, but one can't stay at the kitchen sink forever.
"Mia, Come!" Good girl...
Your reward for coming is an old fashion belly rub, something I always have with me. What a good girl.
Amie calls Mia to come to her. She runs in like a wrecking ball making Amie drop her phone. Silly Mia!
We took Mia on a day trip without Bruno and Spencer. She was the only dog. She did well without them with the exception of the hour long ride alone in the back of the RV. She's ridden back there before with the other dogs and did great. She was not entirely isolated since there is an open window that connects the cab to the camper back. She can see and hear the humans. However, Mia is an up close and personal pup and apparently she was not close enough.
Look at the worry on her face. She tried to climb through the window all while whining like a baby. It didn't help that she was breaking my heart. I just wanted to pull her through and hold her. However, that would be setting ourselves up for travel troubles in the future. "Mia no, stay". Telling her to hush didn't help. Stephen suggested ignoring her unless she actually got through the window. That did the trick. After 10 minutes of ignoring her she settled down and chewed on her bully stick before going to sleep. Not giving in to her demands of being in the cab with the driver paid off. On the way home she did very well. We didn't hear a peep from her. She understood what was going on and had accepted it. She was relaxed and chewed her bone before going to sleep.
While Mia does very well with not chewing on off limits things inside the house (knock on wood), if we do not provide bones for her to chew on outside she walks around chewing on things like rocks, sticks and even tree trunks. Mia here, chew on this bone. I better buy more fresh bones for you so you stop eating all that other stuff.
The pack sharing the water bowl.
Sara teaches Mia not to bolt out open gates. Learning to watch the humans for commands such as this goes a long way in having a respectful dog. Bruno and Spencer already know that an open gate or door does not automatically mean they can come or go. Mia is learning this concept very quickly. When we are leaving the house and I reach for the door she still tends to be too close, meaning the door does not have enough room to open without her being in the way. When I say, "Mia, back" she is starting to take a few steps backwards without having to urge her with body blocks, which shows she is beginning to understand. Bruno and Spencer do not have to be told to get back, they already know to give some space when a human approaches a door to open it.
Same deal with the van when we are out and about. I don't care what you see off in the distance, no dog is to jump out of this vehicle unless given a command to do so. Got it Little-Mia?
Mia you need to follow the cart like your brothers. You are getting better but you need to work harder on resisting the urge to pull off to the side to smell all of the tasty treats. Those bone, toys, and chews are not yours. If you take them off the shelf that is stealing and we do not steal. You got it pup? Now straighten yourself up, back up and walk slowly forward to the side or behind me. This is what we call good mental exercise.
Mia is not afraid to get her feet wet. She has been spotted on more than one occasion splashing in puddles and does not think twice about fetching a stick out of the water.
Mia heard the crinkle of the treat bag and came running over in hopes to get something to eat. Bruno, the Boxer, came out next followed by Spencer, the American Pit Bull. Spencer is the most respectful standing back and giving the most space. He's not a very pushy guy and considers himself below both Mia and Bruno. He never tries to push ahead of them. While Spencer is respectful, he is not a pushover, however. When Mia first joined our pack she had an alpha attitude and Spencer played a big role in teaching Mia manners. Spencer does not want to be Mia's boss or anyone else's, yet he does not want a pushy pack member either. Spencer simply wants a calm, balanced pack and is happy to be a follower within it.
Hey pups, do you want a treat? Yep, it looks like you do. Let’s see, who is the most calm and relaxed? That is who will get their treat first.
Well I know who gets their treat last. Mia you are one pushy little girl. Getting closer with that "Oh my gosh it's food!" excited attitude won't get you the food faster. Bruno you are pretty calm, but your chops keep going and I think that puts Spencer a notch closer. He has not moved since he showed up for his treat. He is standing in the back so he's not trying to butt ahead of the other dogs and he is not making noises or pushing into anyone. Here you go Spencer, now Bruno, and Baby-Mi your exuberant self is last once again.
Mimi, you just had your nose in my trash can! "Hey! Get out of there!"
Raising a Puppy: A day in the life with Mia the Blue-Nose American Bully