My Puppy, The Tank

David and Panzer

Some names fit the person, place, thing – or dog – they’re attached to. Take Panzer, for example. In case you’re not up on military history, Panzer is the name of a German tank used extensively in World War II. It's also the name of my German Shepherd puppy.

Don't get the wrong idea. Panzer the puppy doesn't look like a tank--wide and low. He performs like a tank.

That means he's tough. Or at least he thinks he is. He barrels through gates, intimidates visitors and isn't afraid to take on either Reacher or Vega who have 18 and 28 pounds on him, respectively. Panzer is fearless, relentless and bold. He'd rather go looking for action than sit idly by.

Many German Sheperd dogs are actually trained and used by the armed forces. This puppy isn't headed for miltary service. But when he's grown,Panzer's power, speed and size, like the tank he's named after, will help make him the working dog he was bred to be.

All Ears

Mid-December.

Panzer's ears were a work in progress in mid-December, but now they're a work of art. They've been standing perfectly at attention for several weeks now and we're confident they're going to stay that way. 

While they were headed in the right direction at three months of age, we had our doubts that Panzer's ears would ever reach their full potential. Maybe that's because one was seriously leaning to the left, reminiscent of the Tower of Pisa.

It wasn't long after the picture on the left was taken that the right ear stood straight up. But for some reason, it began to wilt in early January. Taking a cue from its mate, it tipped inward. For awhile the two ears formed the perfect teepee on top of Panzer's head. Not a good look for a GSD -- or any dog for that matter.



Late January.

Of course, Panzer wasn't worried about his appearance. He's much too busy to check himself in the mirror. It was us humans who remained on ear watch. Little by little though both ears straightened themselves out. Now the pair is pointed heavenward in answer to our prayers.

A Frozen Attraction

Why buy Milk Bones or Pup-Peroni Snacks when there’s ice? It’s Panzer’s favorite treat. We discovered his affinity for frozen water when the refrigerator’s ice dispenser spit out an avalanche of cubes one evening and a number of them hit the floor. Ever since, Panzer’s been hooked.

 

He now recognizes the sound of the ice dispenser and comes running even if he's in the midst of a heated wrestling match with Reacher. There are also times when Panzer seeks out ice on his own. He jumps against the refrigerator where the dispenser is, but right now he's not quite tall enough for his paws or nose to push the button that activates the machine. As soon as he gets a few more inches on those legs of his I'm certain he'll figure it out.

Panzer is quick to snatch the ice cube out of your hand or off the floor, but then he drops it just as fast. He loves it when that chunk of ice skates across the tile like a hockey puck. More often than not it ends up beneath the lip of a cabinet or in a corner. That’s okay with Panzer. He's happy to paw it out which usually sends it sliding sideways. Then Panzer's on his way, too.

 

It’s hard to know whether Panzer considers ice cubes toys or treats. He actually eats some of them. Others he allows to melt. That's fine with me. It's preferable to mop up a what-used-to-be-an-ice-cube puddle than the other kind.

 

King of the Stairs

Unlike lots of children today, dogs don’t need television, video games or computers to keep them entertained. They don’t even need expensive toys from the pet store to have fun.
 

They make up their own games and most of them require absolutely no equipment. Just dogs. Reacher, Panzer and Vega regularly chase one another around the furniture, play a dog-version of tag and have three-way wrestling matches. Recently, the two boys have put a new spin on the children’s game, “King of the Hill.” You  might know it as "King of the Mountain" or "King of the Castle." In this case, it’s “King of the Stairs.”

Just like in the children’s game, the object is for Reacher or Panzer to claim the landing at the top of the steps as his own. The other player, that is the other dog, attempts to knock the current “King” off the landing and take his place, thus becoming the new “King of the Stairs.”

In the human version, the "king" is usually removed by pushing, although there are rougher variations where kicking or punching are allowed. When Reacher and Panzer play, it’s no holds barred. There’s lots of snarling, biting, nipping, barking, lunging and anything else that might cross a dog’s mind. The canine "King of the Stairs" is much more aggressive than the children’s game, but even more enjoyable—if you're Reacher or Panzer.

Having dogs that keep themselves occupied is a good thing. Although sometimes it would be nice if they would lie down quietly and watch a little TV.

The Chase

The Daytona 500 is coming up February 24. But the Great American Race has nothing on Reacher and Vega who compete almost daily on the raceway in our yard. Reacher is really the track star in the family. He loves to run. Just for the fun of it. And he can often be seen sprinting around and around the house as fast as his four legs will carry him. All by himself. Just because.

He loves it even more if Vega joins him. More precisely, he loves it when she chases him. While he's in it for the racing, she's in it for the chasing. For the catching, actually. She likes to grab Reacher by the collar, then twist, twist, twist, until she's got him pinned to the ground.

Whatever. He's good with it as long as there's a lot of running first. While Vega is without a doubt the faster of the two on the straightaways, Reacher has her beat on the curves and the turns. She can't quite compete with him when he dodges in and out of bushes and around trees. 

Most of the time they circle the large pine island in the front yard. That's where Reacher has the advantage and can keep Vega running after him for the longest period of time. While he doesn't have a set course, he usually starts by zipping past the azaleas, along the edge of the railroad ties, around the tall pines and back again. He may dodge across the open space in the middle if he's feeling particularly fast.

Eventually though, he makes a tactical mistake, or maybe he just slows down a bit. At any rate, Vega always catches him. After some good natured wrestling, Reacher somehow manages to get away. And it all starts again.

Reacher never seems to tire of this game of tag. It's Vega who always calls it quits. Never one to take no for an answer, Reacher barks at her, runs at her and does whatever he can to goad Vega into one more chase.

More often than not, she just turns and gives me a look that says, "Who can understand boys?" before trotting to the back door. That's my girl!

Three Ring Circus

Last year at this time, it was just five-month-old Reacher and me. As I recall, he was so darn cute, but a holy terror. Oh, those were the days!

Now, there are three dogs in the house--Reacher, Vega and her four-month-old puppy Panzer. Three dogs; one three-ring circus.

As the the youngest and the smallest member of the troupe you might assume Panzer defers to the two big dogs. But you'd be wrong. Panzer is not only dreaming of becoming the alpha male in this household, he seems to be making it his mission.

He sometimes pounces on Reacher and takes hold of those jowls in his sharp puppy teeth and won't let go. He delights in jumping on Vega when she's lying quietly which starts a mother/son wrestling match. And he steals bones from whichever dog happens to be gnawing contentedly, then dives for the cover of the coffee table. The kitchen is still cardoned off with three gates, but Panzer just muscles right through whenever the spirit moves him.

Reacher is an action lover himself and appreciates a friendly fight. And Vega, while generally not an instigator, doesn't hesitate to join in the fray. There is often a three-way game of chase around the kitchen table. Or when the gates have been flattened, a German Shepherd, a Boxer and a 31-pound German Shepherd puppy race through the kitchen, living room, dining room, foyer. Then repeat! Naturally, there's growling, yipping, barking and snarling to go along with it.

I guess things could be worse. There could be Panzer and his seven other puppy brothers and sisters, plus Vega and Reacher. That wouldn't be a circus. That would be a zoo.

Jumping On The Bed

Reacher seems to think he has a right to hop on my bed anytime the spirit moves him. And when Vega is chasing him through the house Reacher uses the bed as "base," because Vega follows the rules and doesn't jump on the furniture. Until recently.

Today, Vega shocked Reacher and me by hurdling after her favorite Boxer buddy. Game on! Sometimes it's a madhouse around here.

The wild scene reminded me of the children's poem "Five Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed." Not to be outdone, I've written my own version, canine-style:

TWO BIG DOGGIES JUMPING ON THE BED

 

Two big doggies jumping on the bed,

When Mama saw that pair she saw red: 

"No more doggies jumping on the bed!"

Two big doggies get down with a hop

Watch out now, they're back on top.

Mama yells, "Doggies, you two must stop!"

Two big doggies listen no more.

"It's no fun just being on the floor!

Please Mama, please, just walk out the door."

Two big doggies decide it's time to quit.

They don't want Mama to have such a fit.

Vega lies down; Reacher just sits.

"We're sorry Mama, just count to ten.

Whatever you do, don't lock us in a pen.

We will NEVER jump on the bed again!" 

 

Two doggies think it's time for something new.

Don't look now, but Reacher's got a shoe!

My, oh, my. What's this Mama supposed to do?