Mavis is five months old today!

She is growing like a weed! As I mentioned in a previous post, Mavis is almost the size of my parents’ adult cocker spaniel, so Jimmy and I are thinking she’s going to be a big girl. Just the other day, I ran into one of my clients and he said Mavis’ paws look like big snow balls. I was cracking up!
New Things
- She’s losing teeth left and right. Earlier this week, I noticed her front canine teeth were both loose and by the end of the day they were gone. So weird!
- She now knows: sit, down, leave it, park it, sit-stay, down-stay, and come.
- To earn her food each day, she works on her commands and does puzzles like this one, or uses this food dispensing ball.
- She is getting much better about being held since the attack. YAY!
- She did well during her first trip to the groomer. They told me they were just going to bathe and trim her to see how she would do, but gave her a full cut since she was taking it in stride.

Likes
- Food of any kind
- Chasing leaves
- Playing fetch
- Playing with Malcolm
- Snuggling with Lola
- Meeting new people
- Pet sitting with me–she runs straight to the other dogs instead of cowering in fear like she used to!
Hard Things
- Some nights she gets up once or twice to go to the bathroom, but that usually happens only once or twice a week.
- She’s amazing off-leash in our yard, but has chased a rabbit twice and I thought I lost her. We are working hard on a solid recall and I’m begging Jimmy for a fence. Right now, I either have to watch her like a hawk or put her on a tie-out.
- She can now jump on the couch, which she’s not allowed to do. She still does it all. the. time.

Happy Things
- I love taking Mavis to work (pet sitting) with me. It really tires her out, she and the other dogs get socialization, and it’s fun to bring her along.
- Lola and Mavis now share a crate (Lola was never crate trained, but loves Mavis’ crate) and it’s adorable to see them snuggle.
- Mavis is doing well in her training classes and graduated puppy level I a few weeks ago. The trainer is helping us to focus her training towards therapy work, which is really fun to learn and practice.

I think that sums things up. Mavis is such a sweet, happy pup and I’m so glad she’s part of our little family!