Mikko growing up

The last of the puppy updates falls to Mikko.  He is a boy who, right from the earliest days, looked so much like his mum - he's exactly the same colour and also with Keksi's sweet expression.  I dare say he will grow into a big brown bear of a boy too. 

You can tell my his knobby knees that he has a lot of growing to do yet - and filling out.

 Sweet boy with his well-worn bear (or whatever it was...)

 Loves tennis balls, like all Lappies.












In a few days the puppies will turn 6 months old and then a whole new world of experience starts for them and their owners.  For the girls, it's hormones, hormones, hormones with their impending first seasons and perhaps a bit of moodiness from time to time.  For the boys, it's... well, hormones too, as they start to realise what the opposite sex is all about.   There might be some humping.  Er, possibly a lot of humping.  I always recommend to everyone to treat youthful humping just like any other unwanted behaviour - nip it in the bud.  Firmly and quickly.

They all will settle into their adult height over the next couple of months, and they will slowly start to mature and fill out.  They will lose their puppy coats and grow a new one.  And in about a month from now, they will all start to find their feet and try out a little more independence.  Time for owners to be vigilant and strict with the training.  The formerly well-behaved puppies will morph into monsters for a few months, by comparison.  Deep breaths, lots of training, and maintain your nerve and they will all come out the other end.  Eventually.