Tag: #petstable

Stanley’s Spring Update: Snuggles, Hikes, and BarkBoxes

One New Trader Joe’s Mini Tote – and one Stanley!



🐾 Puppy Love Is Real
What can I say about Stanley? I love him SO much! I just want to spend all my time with him — and honestly, I kind of do. He’s doing so well. Potty training isn’t perfect, but I’m really happy with his progress. He consistently uses his indoor potty pads, and now that the weather is warming up, he’s starting to get more comfortable going outside too.

Nighttime outdoor potty trips are still a work in progress, but we’re easing into it little by little.


🌅 Our Daily Routine
Stanley’s settled nicely into a routine. Mornings start with a trip outside. He does his business and sniffs around, and when he’s done, he runs to the stairs to head back in — which brings me to the next point…

He’ll go up the stairs, no problem. But going down? Absolutely not. We’re still working on that one.

I’ve started using a button to teach him to tell me when he wants to go out. So far, I’m the only one using it — but hey, progress is progress!


🐱 Cats, Crates, and Chaos (Mostly at Dinner)
Stanley is slowly learning to coexist with the cats. He still barks at them, but if I say “leave it,” he’ll stop and come to me — a big win!

Dinner time, though? That’s another story. He gets very stressed around the cats when food is involved and turns into six pounds of snapping, growling teeth. Right now, he goes in his crate while we eat dinner. During lunch, he’s calmer and usually just barks a bit, so he stays out then. Still working on it.

🐕 Walks, Work, and Weekend Adventures
He spends most of the morning in my lap while I work, then we take a mid-day walk around the yard or neighborhood — or both, depending on the day. If work gets busy, we keep it short and go out again later.

Stanley’s still on three meals a day and staying on the slim side, so keeping him well-fed is a priority.


Tired out after his first Food Truck Trip!

 

This weekend, we had some fun firsts:

On Saturday, we took him to a local food truck pod for lunch. He was a little unsure of his surroundings but did great — no barking, and he even napped on the bench while we ate.
On Sunday, he went on his first hike with us. It was a short trail (about 1.5 miles), and I expected to carry him. Nope! He walked the whole way — even jumped over a big log like a pro.
He’s not totally sure about other dogs yet, but he’s learning.


🎾 Evenings and Sleepy Snuggles
After dinner, we usually play fetch in the living room until he tires out. Then it’s snuggles on the couch until bedtime. He’s still sleeping in a crate at night, and that’s going smoothly, so I’m sticking with it for now.

📚 Training and Playgroups Coming Up
In just over a week, Stanley starts his basic manners class, and he’ll also be attending a small dog playgroup. May is shaping up to be a busy (and exciting!) month for him!

🍽️ Food Update: The Final Choice
I’ve tested a few food brands with him, and here’s the verdict:

Sundays and Pet’s Table (air-dried): Total pass. Not interested. He does like the fresh/frozen Pet’s Table food, but it’s expensive, and I don’t want the hassle of frozen food.

Spot and Tango (UnKibble): He’ll snack on it occasionally but doesn’t love it.

Happy Howl: The clear winner! It’s shelf-stable, human-grade, easy to serve, and he devours it. No freezing, no fuss, and way more economical than some of the other fresh options. Another bonus is that their customer service has been outstanding!


📦 Surprise Incoming: BarkBox!
Don’t tell Stanley, but I caved and ordered him a BarkBox subscription. He loves plush toys and theirs are just too cute. Our first box (plus a few “extras” — oops) is already on the way. I’ll report back on how he likes it!

💛 Feeling Grateful
I’m honestly over the stress of the puppy stage. Stanley is fitting right into our lives and routine. He’s everything I hoped for in a little dog — sweet, playful, snuggly, adventurous. I’m so thankful this tiny guy is part of our family.

Have you been through the puppy stage recently? Got tips for managing food aggression or teaching stair confidence? I’d love to hear what worked for you — drop your thoughts in the comments!

Meet Stanley!

“Henry” the rescue pup is officially settling into his forever home—now with his real name: Stanley! We had a long list of potential names before we brought him home, and Stanley wasn’t even on it. But after trying all our favorites and not finding the right fit, my husband suddenly said, “Stanley!”—and we all just knew. Somehow, it fits him perfectly.

First Vet Visit

Stanley had his first vet visit on Monday, and overall he got a great report. The vet was genuinely impressed with his personality—he couldn’t believe how sweet and calm this little guy is. While he’s definitely underweight, there were no signs of serious malnourishment. His heart, lungs, joints, and everything else looked great.

We did a fecal test and found out he has Coccidia and Giardia—not unexpected for a puppy in his situation. Thankfully, we caught both early, and he hasn’t shown any symptoms yet. I’ll be picking up meds for him today, and both parasites should clear up without much trouble.

Stanley, the Social Butterfly

I’ve had so much fun showing Stanley off. He came with me to get the car serviced and calmly sat in my lap the whole time. He’s already met one of my friends (and her cat) when we picked up a crate, and he even attended a three-hour jewelry-making class with me!

He was a hit—passed from lap to lap, giving out puppy kisses like candy. My teacher loved him and carried him around for half the class. When he wasn’t being doted on, he relaxed quietly in his carrier and chewed on his toy. Stanley clearly just wants to be near people. Even when I sit on the floor to play, he often brings his toy back to my lap to chew. He’s a total snugglebug.

Feeding & Food Plans

The vet recommended feeding him small, frequent meals, and Stanley seems very happy with that schedule. Right now, he’s eating a bland prescription food I started when he arrived, but I’m transitioning him to Dr. Harvey’s, which I still have from Cali. It’s great food—customizable and high-quality—but it does require adding cooked protein and mixing it yourself.

For a puppy who doesn’t need a specialized diet, that feels like more work than necessary. I’ve ordered a trial of The Pets Table, and I’m planning to review a few fresh food options in the coming months. Dr. Harvey’s has been great, but there are so many easier, excellent choices out there now.

Training Progress

I’m following Zac George’s positive reinforcement methods for early training and really liking the results so far. I’ve signed Stanley up for a small dog playgroup and a basic manners class, both starting next month. Until then, we’re building a solid foundation at home.

I’ve also found ChatGPT super helpful for quick, specific training tips—like how to discourage barking at the cats (work in progress!).

Stanley is eager to please but very picky about treats, which surprised me considering his background. He seems to like dehydrated meat the most, so I’ve stocked up. I’m trying to keep spending in check, but… puppies need a lot! He’s also getting a growing wardrobe of sweatshirts—he’s clearly still adjusting to the cold New England weather, and his underweight frame doesn’t help.

Dinner Table Drama

His first night home, he was desperately trying to jump onto the dinner table—absolutely obsessed with our food. For now, we’ve implemented a strict no table food policy, which may evolve later, but right now it’s necessary. The good news? He’s learning fast.

Just last night, I was able to sit on the couch with him in my lap, eating a snack while he slept. That’s huge progress in less than a  week!

The Real Talk

I’m happy. I’m exhausted. I don’t regret getting this puppy—but I also knew better. I knew I didn’t want to start over with a puppy.

And yet… here I am.

The work is real. The fatigue is real. But the rewards? Absolutely worth it.

 

Let’s Hear Your Puppy Stories!

If you’ve brought home a puppy recently—or remember the chaos and cuteness from years ago—I’d love to hear your stories! What worked for you when it came to training, feeding, or just surviving those early days?

Also, if you’ve found a fresh dog food brand you love, especially one that’s puppy-appropriate and convenient, I’m all ears. Stanley and I are on the hunt for the right fit, and your recommendations could make a big difference.

Drop your stories, tips, and food recs in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!