Betel's Progress

Betel is smart, I think. He also weighs 13 pounds.
He has already figured out how to ring the bells when he needs to go out and use the bathroom. Sometimes he walks around for a while, but he usually goes after he rings the bell. Of course, it is up to the humans to distinguish between playing with the bells and ringing the bells, which he also does.
He and Odin have been playing a lot, and a lot more vigorously. I am a little afraid Odin is going to hurt him, but they're never unsupervised, so at least I'll be right there if he gets hurt.
He also has a lot more energy. He needs to play a lot longer before he gets tired and puts himself to bed. He isn't passing out on the dog bed in the living room anymore, but coming into the study to sleep on Kevin's beanbag or getting into his crate. When I get home from work at lunchtime, he always seems a little nervous and whiny until I pet him for a few minutes. I've tried to play it cool, but he follows me until I pet him, then he calms down and turns back into himself.
I wormed him this weekend with Strongid. He is still chasing the kittens.
Here are the things that I think make raising a puppy easier:
1. Having a well-trained/behaved older dog who will play with the puppy and wear him out
2. Having a dog room with a run/kennel to leave the dog when you need to
3. Having multiple crates (bedroom, kennel, car) and definitely, 100% crate training
4. Having a work schedule that allows you to spend at least 1 hour in the morning, 1 hour at lunch, and several hours in the evening to play with the puppy and spend time with it
5. Getting a puppy from a good breeder so you know mom & dad's temperament, but also so you get a puppy who is easier to housebreak (i.e. knows to keep his "den" clean)
6. Having a secure, fenced yard
7. Getting the puppy in summer time (then again, getting too hot in the car is a huge downside)
What we will find out at the end of this week is if #8 will be "having a brother puppy."