Being adopted by a dog

I just adopted the first puppy that I will raise by myself. She is also the first puppy that I've had at a young enough age that all her bad habits will be mine. She is completely adorable, and at 4 weeks, I think it's pretty miraculous that she has had only 2 "accidents" inside the house. I'm just plain impressed with that, and I'll tell you why.
I have never thought of myself as a dog person. They have always appeared to be so needy, and to have such bad behaviors. But, I think that most of that stems from bad owners. Often, dog owners in my history have allowed bad habits to develop and have done nothing about it. Or, they have treated the dog better than the people in their lives. The latter I totally get now, but the former, it's like those maniacal people of Walmart who allow their children to run rip-shit all over the store. Bad behavior is bad behavior no matter the species.
I have been in several relationships that resulted in 'me or the dog'. Hell, I would choose my dog over some people. LOL! I have also learned that certain breeds have inherent bad habits. Take for instance the Beagle. Wicked smart, but more stubborn than a mule. They are trainable until they change their minds, and rare to control their baying. Mutts are far smarter than most pure breeds. Shar Pei's are just plain expensive. They run between $1600 and $3200 for a puppy, and they have many health problems such as irritations between their skin folds, and their eyelashes often grow into the inside of their eyes, and it has to be corrected surgically.
Great Danes have to have their own house. The Kuvasz will constantly attempt to increase their kingdom. Border collies tend to develop nervous tics if they don't have a job, as do retrievers. The list goes ad nauseum.
What breed did I choose? A Boxer, because I love big dogs, and they are a perfect combination of goofy and smart. Of course I am going to be prejudiced because she is mine! Boxers have a tendency to jump, get bored easy and lots to say. I have had mine for 3 whole days now, and she answers to her name, comes to my whistle, is great on her leash, uses the provided grass for her 'business' and is just the sweetest little thing.
She has puppy pads in her kennel, because I have to be gone for several hours at a time, but she tells me when she needs to go, and yesterday, I took a long nap and she went in her kennel. I didn't fuss at her because it was my fault, but she was so guilty looking, and embarrassed at it, I couldn't help but to laugh.
I have been pretty heavy- handed with dogs before, admittedly, because a few of them just had horrible manners. By heavy- handed, I mean little to no tolerance, the occasional swipe to the ass, and the Big Angry Voice. Dogs are just too sensitive to respond positively to that. Cats are assholes and can take it, because they know that the second you're done yelling at them, they're going to leave you a little 'dinner mint' on your favorite shoe or pillow the second you're done with your tantrum. Dogs can't tell time, or count, but they will remember someone who even remotely looks like a person who has been mean to them.
So what happens if I can't train my dog out of a few bad habits? Instead of laughing and saying "oh that's just a dog being a dog," I will apologize for the offense, pay for damages (oddly, few offer this), gently keep correcting her, and love her just the same. I can already tell that she is going to train fast, and she is going to be loyal, in a way most humans are incapable. I can't believe that I am already so in love with her I just want to kiss her head all the time. Maybe I have finally grown up, and learned the patience necessary to raise her in a loving, mutually protective home. Maybe we were meant to teach each other. All I know is who couldn't love a face like this?





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Location:Barbrook Dr,Austin,United States