T
orin's puppy watch chart and notes.
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View pedigree on this litter
Torin Microchip # 2263570c27
Tuck Microchip # 466962516b
Della Microchip # 4673255D72
Diastix reagent strips indicate that both puppies are Glycosuria negative.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
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Weight chart
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Friday, January 27, 2006
4 weeks 2 days
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Wednesday, February 01, 2006
5 weeks
weaning
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Wednesday, February 08, 2006
6 weeks
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Wednesday, February 15, 2006
7 weeks
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7 weeks 6 days
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Della
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6 pounds 4 ounces
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6 pounds 4 ounces (before feeding)
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8 pounds 8 ounces
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10 pounds
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12 pounds 2 ounces
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Tuck
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5 pounds 6 ounces
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6 pounds (before feeding)
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7 pounds 15 ounces
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9 pounds 8 ounces
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11 pounds 6 ounces
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7 weeks old
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skip to 4 weeks
skip to 5 weeks
skip to 6 weeks
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
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I'm finally doing a bit better today. Pups went to the vet to get a health certificate for Della and Torin. And DJ got vaccinated, while Della got partially vaccinated. Both puppies were wonderful. They remembered all their manners that they don't even know about at home. They were absolutely on their best behavior and drew comments everywhere. They were both like modeling clay. If i stood them and told them stand, they did so without reminder, or restraint. If I told them sit, they did so, and planted their little butts in unison. If I told them down, they did so, and stayed. (They never stay at home, and at home, Tuck is reluctant to down, although Della usually gets down by the second command (SECOND COMMAND? **EEEKS-- I know, I know) They made up for a very bad start of the morning. They both woke up fussing and carrying on, wanting breakfast, and I sat there ignoring them until they shut up... for an hour.
But today, both puppies were perfection, don't ask me why. Torin vomited again last night. Tuck vomited when he got home from the vets. Della's left ear fell over again today. I picked up the shipping crate for Della, The inDELLAble mark on my heart.
Tuck has "two" down
Monday, February 20, 2006
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Both pups are finally getting it. Della whimpers and squeaks when she needs to
go out, and starts pacing. Tuck doesn't need to go as often as Della, and goes
out by default. But when he comes in from playing outside, he always stops to
pee BEFORE he comes inside. They don't think they are being fed enough. They
have become very loud at feeding time. They do not get fed until they have
stopped the butt-tuck-zoomies and noise and are sitting quietly.
Yesterday was like watching a time-lapse photo as Della's ears grew. By the
end of the day, both ears were tipped over with the left ear positively
floppy. This morning, happy to report, both are back up again. Since I was
having a difficult day, I spent the day in bed. Since I was there, so were the
puppies. I took some bed shots of them and since the bed was active, it was
not made. You will see this in the photos. Both puppies were very good
yesterday, but they slept the night in the crate because I was flopping like a
fish in a frying pan, and didn't want to risk crushing them in my 'sleep'. They
sleep much longer at night with us, than when they sleep in their crate.
The tradeoff's of digital cameras is you miss the shots you wanted in exchange
for immediacy, convenience, and money.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
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Torin is visibly much better today. I can't work with the puppies this
morning, because I can't reach them. Sitting, standing, laying very
uncomfortable, after a day of driving and sitting at the vet clinic, and
spending yesterday working for the deadline on the project I was doing. After
12 hours slaving on it yesterday, I was pretty much crippled up when finished.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
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Thursday night Torin was tucked up with a roached back, obviously in serious
stomach
distress. With permission from Dee, I gave her a carafate (sucralfate) and her
distress dissappeared immediately. Yesterday I spent 12 hours at a specialist
in Columbus with her. They told me, that they found that she had a thickening
of the falliopian tubes, and thought she had a mild case of metritis and would
treat her for that. When we finally arrived home, I fed Torin, and she wouldn't
eat. Yesterday she put on her best game face, and showed no stress of any
kind. When she came home she crashed. As I read the report that they are
sending to the veterinarians, I noticed that they are treating her for an
infection, protozoa, and stomach irritation. in otherwords, everything
abdominal. Reading between the lines.. their diagnosis is.. "They don't know"
Torin showed the worst distress last night of anything to date. I gave her a
carafate so that she might find relief, and it worked immediately. Going hand
in hand with the undigested food that she vomits up, my diagnosis confirms,
"It's everything to do with the stomach" . Through Danny's experience, I've
been here before. To my face, the specialists had a diagnosis. To communicating
veterinarians, they conveyed, they aren't so sure, so let's hit all bases.
I left the puppies with Jeff yesterday, and forgot to give him feeding
instructions. So.. he didn't feed them. (nor did he gather eggs, or feed the
horse, or feed the chickens. He never does these things, so it just never
occured to him) But he did keep the puppies out and played with them. He had
toys all over the living room. And commented frustrated how bad they had been.
Everytime he turned around, he was finding pee puddles and poop piles sitting
at the door.
I was thrilled, The puppies associated those activities with going out. Just
because he wasn't observant that they were at the door, certainly wasn't their
fault. I asked him what he did. He said he cleaned it up. I asked if he put
the puppies out then. He said, "No, because they were already finished". He
spent the entire day mopping and picking up, without once letting the puppies
out, and then complained of the mess they made.... at the door...
I love Jeff *grin*
It was so good to come home late last night. We took the puppies to bed, and
they slept there all night. We got up, fed them, and took them back to bed. I
sure missed them yesterday. I missed Jeff, I missed all the dogs, and to come
home and have everyone there was a great comfort.
Torin wouldn't eat this morning. I gave her the medications that MEDVET
prescribed, and she did not eat. I gave her a carafate, and she ate her I/D.
It's in her stomach. If it were metritis, carafate would have no effect at all.
It did not have time to reach the bowels, so it's not intestinal. The pepcid/ac
simply doesn't work that fast or give that kind of relief. I called my vet this
morning and reported this, so he would have the information, and make the
Carafate "official" and pass it on to Torin's vet in California.
I thought Della's ears had come up permanently, but When I came home last
night, the left one was tipped over. It's still over this morning.
Friday, February 17, 2006
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Della's favorite orbee bone, sent by Auntie Sarah Ercolani has just have to
find another somewhere.been the major hit this morning. Reka took the bone from
the puppies, and set it on the couch. Della wanted it, and although many times
has attempted to make couch status, has always failed because she's just not
big enough. Spurred by incentive to collect her bone, she threw her heart up,
and finally climbed on the couch, grabbed her bone, and made the great escape
with her prize. I can clearly see that this toy has to go back to California
with her, and I simply need to find Tuck another one.
Reka finds value in it only for pay purposes and to keep away from the puppies.
It's absolutely a marvelous toy.
The Orbee is a soft bone shaped toy bounces gently in unpredictable directions, It's curiously soft, floppy, durable and all the dogs have taken interest in it. It's mint scented.
As I take joy in these puppies this morning, I think of Cindy Gufstasen, who
was supposed to get one of this litter, as she journeys to get her new puppy
today. I can sense her excitement and wish her safe travels.
Probably taking a journey myself today in taking Torin over to VETMED for
evaluation will keep entries at a minimum today. It's 2 1/2- 3 hours to Vet-Med
x 2 and waiting while they thoroughly examine her pretty much blows the day.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
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I have been rushing to meet a deadline on creating a publication for a
citizen's information committee . Not exactly claiming to be any sort of a
housekeeper, when papers drift to the floor during my project, Della and Tuck
happily chew them up. If it was on my computer, no big deal, but when it
happens to be collected resource material that I am using for data entry, this
becomes very troublesome. Thanks for the help guys!
Della has the same front movement as her mother. I hope she grows out of this.
She's a gorgeous little girl and has emerged as my favorite. We made no leash
progress yesterday. I am going to put leashes on them today and let them drag
them around so they get accustomed to some pressure, and attach it to a light
weight. They pull the wood wagon around readily. But their initial reaction to
collar pressure is to go belly flat. Passive resistance is very effective.
Della is beginning to indicate that she has to go by whining softly. This is
a step in the right direction.
Both puppies had a nursing home visit yesterday and were well recieved with no
incidents. They were very well behaved, cuddled quietly, and endlessly
attentive, very gentle puppies who
never used their teeth on the residents. I was so proud of them both. Comments
from everyone were that they have never seen such calm, cuddly and well behaved
puppies. They are loaded with personality and charm, and obviously very
intelligent. So I must be miscommunicating to them over this housebreaking
thing.
Torin goes back to the vet this afternoon at 3pm. SOMETHING is wrong with her.
She perked up while on antibiotics and now, just two days off protocol, she is
back to not wanting to eat, slightly depressed, and vomited up her undigested
food (lamb patties) last night. I remember her liver values were off when
pregnant, and we assumed it was due to pregnancy. I want liver values (organ
profiles) re-run today and see if everything is ok. Nothing is readily
apparent, except for her reluctance to eat, and something in her eyes says not
all is well.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
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I'm frustrated as hell because housebreaking is NOT going as planned. I do
not have strict definitions of housebreaking (re holding it for 8 hours etc)
for puppies. All I define a housebroken puppy is, they recognize that they
NEED to go out, they ASK to go out within a reasonable time for me to take
action and get them out. That does not mean I finish reading a chapter of a
book. It means I immediately stop what I'm doing and react to get them out
before the accident happens. So far, Della gives no warning. Tuck USED to give
warning and has since stopped. I don't know WHY he stopped. And he gets to
playing, and can't be stuffed taking time out to go pee, so he will stop a
moment, pee, and go right back to playing. Even if I see he's going to, I
simply can't move that fast. His accidents only occur when he is playing, so I
need to invoke the "No play inside rule"
Della isn't making accidents (what a switch, from Tuck being the perfect puppy,
to Della (lmpb) becoming the perfect lady and Tuck transformed into
the difficult child.. But neither are asking to go out. We are in management
mode only.
Both are still delightful puppies and I'm so glad to have the experience. They
are so cuddly, personable and very very cute. They are not as rowdy and
rambunctious as I remember puppies being. They have their moments, but
essentially are very calm puppies with a strong desire to please, people
oriented , and a wonderful attention span and good "watch" for taking
directions.
The wind is still strong, but it's a warm wind this morning as opposed to a
bitter biting wind. Leash training back in progress.
BOTH Reka and Torin are combining to teach these puppies to play "gently".
Della is orally play oriented. Watching these two adult girls on their bellies
teaching gentle play, bite inhibition and acceptable and not acceptable play is
very poignant. This is the very training that is so critical that puppies get
before being homed that prevent problems later for owners. The adult/puppy
interaction occuring now is what makes later rehoming so necessary in puppy
socialization. This is the difference between a responsibly bred dog and a pups
for bucks operation. These puppies are long weaned and COULD have gone to new
homes because they are no longer reliant on mom for food. But mom has some very
important lessons that she is now teaching them, getting them ready for their
lives ahead. I'm glad Torin is back in her babies lives, and I'm really glad
Reka is stepping in to help her.
Diastix reagent strips indicate that both puppies are Glycosuria negative.
6 weeks old
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skip to 4 weeks
skip to 5 weeks
skip to 7 weeks
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
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Yesterday was an accident free day, but neither puppy went to the door and
ASKED to go out. We were accident free by virtue of management only. When I
got home from the meeting last night, Jeff was already in bed, and to my
surprise, nestled in bed were both puppies. Since when do we sleep with dogs in
the bed? Jeff says as of tonight. Well, it worked out well, and the pups and
us slept all night. I was terrified that I would roll over and squish a puppy,
but the only events ocurred twice, when I awoke to a thump as I had kicked a
puppy off the end of the bed. I woke up, replaced the pup, and all went back to
sleep. i woke up twice last night with paws implanted in my face.I was going
to walk puppies on a leash this morning, but cancelled that due to fierce
winds. I walked Della yesterday, but by the time I got to Tuck, the winds were
so fierce that I just accepted that there would be another day. It appears
today is not going to be that other day. Took the puppies for a ride into town
yesterday. I didn't expect any problems, nor had any. but I was just keeping
the pups in practice so they continued to maintain their traveling skills.
Because they are not vaccinated, they did not leave the truck. Doggy classes
start tonight, but with no vaccinations, they are ineligible to attend. As I
look at these pups, I recall the words of the judge who gave Danny his first
major win. She wet her fingers and rubbed Dannys ears hard to make sure they
were REALLY black and not shoepolished. And she stood back smiling, pleased
with herself that she discovered him, and looked at me gleaming, and
emphasized, "He's just SO SQUARE!!!!" As I look at these pups, those words
ring in my memory like a bell. I offered her an unadulterated , unsculpted,
undoctored, unposed dog, who stood there in a perfect square. I see this
quality in these pups. Balance, trueness and undoctored natural appeal. I've
always hated the primping of handlers in the show ring. I took pride in
offering an all natural/unposed dog, and I can see nothing in these pups that
would prevent them from being shown the same way as their father. If they are
correct, the feet fall in the places that they are supposed to be, and posing
is unecessary.
Monday, February 13, 2006
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Not much to report. Still working on Housebreaking. My records show my
puppies have always been housebroken by 6 weeks old. What it doesn't say is if
it happened early in the six weeks or later. If it happens with these pups,
it's obviously going to be later. I hope it happens at all. Tuck has become
very vocal. He did get named. Tuck, because We often called Danny "Tucker
Dan". Tuck reminds me so much of Danny, but I couldn't bring myself to name him
after Dan. Tuck is short, brief, and he looks like Friar Tuck (from Robin Hood)
in his gray woolie monk suit. I've never heard of any Elkhound named Tuck, so
it's original. My bet is I could name him Tuck without a Kennel name (I won't,
Dee wanted him to represent her kennels and breeding) and it might pass.
I am spending the day preparing for a township meeting this evening. Objectives
for today is continued monitoring housebreaking (which means a lot of housetime
for puppies under supervision and freeplay, so they have opportunities for free
play mistakes and correct choices. MOSTLY, they are accident free, but
there are still some incidences.Learning to deal with frustration (when
given limits), Learning appropriate chewing (not the couch.. which Della is
enamored with, or computer/electrical wires) and discerning allowed behaviors
from inappropriate behavior are critical learned skills. Also they are learning
critical interdog relationships. Torin is now playing with both puppies and
teaching them bite inhibition. As soon as they play with teeth, she leaves.
Other dogs running them out of their food bowls, etc and honoring the
belongings of other dogs and humans is also critical. Extending the attention
span so the pups continue to sit longer before being released is also a
continuing goal. Both pups have a wonderful "watch" making prolonged eye
contact trying to read me. I will start incorporating hand signals with
commands. Della's eye finally quit watering. Pups now think "sit" is the
default behavior. So Dee is going to kill me when she starts preparing Della
for a show career. Sit allows me to be able to manage them, because I can't
capture moving targets. I'm assuming these pups are going to be smart enough to
learn "stand" as an alternative behavior. She is going to have to expect Della
sitting quietly at her feet staring at her expectantly. Della and Tuck know
that the silence WILL be rewarded. Pup pictures are all lying down because
everytime I take standing pictures, by the time the delay of the camera shutter
snaps, I have blurs, partial body shots, or empty frames. I actually took
puppies for a leash walk today. It went as I dreaded. Since the puppies first
reaction to restraint has always been non-resistance, and going belly flat,
sleeping it off, the whole affair went as I expected. NOT!!!! When they
successfully took a few steps on their own we concluded the session.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
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I spent yesterday cooking. Lack of work with the puppies shows. They are
demanding. Especially Tuck. Della, who started out being the Loudmouth Pushy
Broad, is now soft, compliant. It's Tuck making all the demands and has become
very noisy. It was always startling to hear that deep "big dog" bark out of
such a little guy, that we'd laugh, because he barked so seriously. When he
barked, the crate opened, and he would get to go outside. Bark means one
thing... "outside". Della is content to let Tuck do all the doorman summoning.
Other changes, Della, who hated the snow so much, now LOVEs it. These puppies
are such good friends. Tuck thinks that barking will open the door to come back
in the house. It does not. I refuse to feed, let in, or respond to any dog
demands until they are sitting quietly and patiently-- AND maintaining it
calmly. Tuck still tries to insist. Della sits patiently telling him to "shut
UP,
dude!"
"Sit" is the magic key. I was getting very worried about Torin, hiding in the
bedroom all the time. Acting depressed, avoiding puppies. But last night she
finally looked brighter and came out and actually played with the puppies. She
still prefers the couch, well out of reach from puppy bitey teeth. No accidents
of either puppy yesterday, but they were crated our outside MOST of the day
while I cooked. So opportunities to screw up were limited. Tuck had his first
traumatic experience yesterday when I accidentally stepped on his foot.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
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I
hit a baffling snafu last night. Tuck , who has been doing so well in his
housetraining, decided it was ok to pee all over the house ( 4 incidences) I
was very miffed, but knew it had to be something I was doing wrong. Both pups
are very intelligent and eager to please. They are not at all "defiant" (the
first thing people claim a puppy is doing when there is a break in training
when they seemed to have the behavior accomplished), so I knew I was doing
something wrong. But what was it? Tuck also decided yesterday NOT to come when I
called (one time) because he was playing with something in the strawberry
garden. Whatever it was, it was more interesting than anything he knew that
I was going to offer.
Frustrated
and for the first time boggling at the thought of having six puppies instead
of just two overwhelmed me, I decided to reflect on what changed that I was
doing wrong. At 5am it hit me. Della had been set back because of her
infection, so I have been rewarding Della for her successes, and assuming Tuck
had the big picture, I had been only *click/treat* Della when she pottied. I
had withdrew from Tuck. I am assuming that he thought the act of peeing was a
good thing, and offered it in the house where I could see that he was being a
good boy too, and worthy of *click/treat*. He wasn't being bad by that
scenario, he was actually trying to be good!
As far as
the recall goes, I just went and got him, with no reward. I'm not sure that is
enough incentive for compliance the next time it happens.
I finally
caught Jeff's Cold and my head is very cloudy. I'm not sure what I am going to
do about it, and until I figure out a plan, Tuck will only be allowed out on
restraint to prevent further failures. Which means even sick, I have to stand
out in the cold with him until he's done. This is probably not a good idea,
because this will make his curiosity of the big world out there even greater,
and this is EXACTLY when he should be having his confidence that I will allow
his curiosity to be sated. So perhaps I will allow him to investigate the
yard, and when they volunteer to come in, allow them in and NOT call them for
fear of setting them up for failure. If I really need them, I shall go get
them. Yes, that's the plan. I will call them ONLY when I know they will come.
IF they are investigating, I will just go after them. That way there will never
be a failure in recall. Della's ears are now up.
Friday, February 10, 2006
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Della
is a climber and loves precarious and high places like her dad. Last
night she learned basic concepts in retrieve. I started off using a new baby
toy that Sarah Ercolani sent her. I told her touch. It didn't look like her
target, but the squeak drew her attention back to the object. initially, when
she touched the toy, I gave her a small piece of bear meat. Then I tossed it a
bit farther, and told her touch. within minutes, she was running to it to
touch. I then did not respond with bear meat until she picked it up. And when I
didn't give her bear meat for touching it, she was soon picking it up and
shaking it, insuring that I saw that she did indeed, "touch" it. I then asked
her to come, and she retrieved it twice before we stopped the exercise. We
stopped on a successful note, before she got too full or bored with the game.
This was the first practical application of her target training. She has not
had an accident since she started on antibiotics. I let them out at 3am,
because "I" had to pee. But it was a quiet and successfully dry night.
She's feeling much better. Her left eye is watering, with a stream down her
face. It's been a bit watery since she first opened them, but now she's
developing tear streaks on the left eye. Both puppies are now "watching" TV.
Commands mastered:
COME --but both will ONLY come to me, NOT to Jeff,
SIT.
Still working on :
Housebreaking-mostly there. Tuck has it, but Della had setbacks with her
infection,
leash training (admittedly I have not walked with them on a leash as yet. I'm
still teaching them restraint, deciding if I am going to do hands free heeling
first or actual leash training. Since they both lie down when hooked up, I'm
considering using target training on a dowel stick to teach the heel so I
don't have to bend over (With 7 herniated discs, stooping is cause for me to
procrastinate on this!) And I need to buy a dowel.)
retrieving
Skills:
climbing stairs/woodpiles
quiet
watching
anticipating what you want. cause/effect. Desire to please
eating. A few days ago, they were not good eaters. It's now apparent they are
ELKHOUNDS
water bottle drinking
no teeth on humans
barking means ONLY that they need to go "out"
loud sudden noises
confidence on unstable surfaces
They both pull the wood wagon and are not afraid when the wagon moves, and
rumbles
crate trained
Clicker means something
target training
Thursday, February 09, 2006
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Della's incontinence vexed me into taking her to the vet. She never seemed to
be straining, but she would just come in and where she would sit, would be just
a couple drops of puddle. She would go to the door, and in spite of my
vigilence, occassional small accidents happened, and she would dribble. Puppy
shots tomorrow got cancelled. Doc was not going to vaccinate while she was on
antibiotics. Della also had diarrhea last night. Since Cappy the beagle is
being treated for Giardia, we decided to treat ALL the dogs. ALL are on
antibiotics (Reka and Torin have been vomiting just once every other day for
the past week - both
checked out fine, but were put on Science Diet I/D. Stool samples and temps
were clear, but looking at Torin's face told a different story. She did not
feel good. ) So all five dogs went to the vet today. ALL dogs got Science Diet
I/D. ALL treated for Giardia, even though all stools tested clear. Samples
were sent out to independent labs for confirmation. ALL dogs are on
antibiotics. Reka needs a dental, and Torin desperately needs a dental, or she
is in serious danger of losing teeth. She needed a dental last year when she
came, but the condition has worsened. Will check with Dee and see if she wants
the dental done here or there. If here.. I'll just schedule Torin and Reka
together. Then there would only be one office call charge.
All vaccinations were called off for tomorrow. The reason being that the vet
is seeing Canine Flu in his office. There are two kinds of Canine Flu. One
taking the form of high impact with some 5% lethal element to young puppies and
older dogs, and one with very low level and mild gastric upset. In case they
are incubating canine flu, he is not administering vaccinations. Already Della
is showing relief,
since she is not chronically asking to go out. She had an exhausting night (as
did I) and asked to go out every hour and a half. She's done nothing except
sleep since she got home from the vets. I felt so badly for her. She's such a
darling little girl. No treats today (or for the next 4 days) for the pups.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
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Puppies continueing working on restraint skills. This is taking awhile,
because they simply accept it and go to sleep. they are a very accepting lot
of puppies, and their answer to problem solving is to sleep through it until it
goes away. Today I'm actually attempting to get them to walk on leash, I may
just teach off leash heeling and using targeting, and then attach the leash in
the process. I have always trained puppies off leash first and it worked out
well. The only reason that I am contemplating more traditional approach is
because it involves a whole lot of bending and stooping, which I don't do well
anymore. I need to transform these puppies into Great Danes during this phase
of training. Big Dogs are always better! The puppies are both focusing well
and give plenty of watch. They have
an awesome recall. Della continues to be stubborn about house training. She
leaves small puddles where she sits and just sits in them. No signs of
discomfort to lead me to believe she has puppy vaginitus, and they aren't
really puddles, Just wet spots. I will ask the vet to check her when she goes
in for her first set of shots (I believe on Friday). These are very calm
puppies, and many people have commented on how pliant, accepting and cuddly
they are. I've put Della in a crate by herself to acclimate her to the idea of
being alone, and she just sleeps. Her ears are finally starting to come up.
Tuck's were only down for a half a day and came back up to stay. But Della's are
finally doing the one ear up, one ear down, both ears up, both ears down thing.
They both do an awesome recall with a snappy sit to front.
5 weeks old
return to top
skip to 4 weeks
skip to 6 weeks
skip to 7 weeks
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
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A
lot happened yesterday that is critical in puppy development. Both puppies
developed a desire to please. Bear meat was just the ticket. Unfortunately my
supply is limited. But it opened doors. We went 39 hours accident free
yesterday and then I had a failure. There was a puppy puddle just in front of
the door. Apparently a puppy went to the door to be let out, and I missed the
signal. The failure was mine. The puppies held it all night for another dry
night, and allowed me to sleep in until 8am at which time I woke up (they
didn't wake me up). It's become a liability in training to have more than one
puppy, because they both are trying to hard to do the training exercises that
they keep trying to shove the other out for attention. They have mastered
"Come" and run like a rocket sled on rails when called. Next is sit. They are
getting wild, leaping, jumping and barking, and It's difficult to work with
moving targets.
Della
has learned to "stalk" the ducky, and it's so funny. She will approach
it head down, slow motion, with paws suspended in air, and when in distance,
leap on it, and slides across the floor. She's so funny.
When one puppy hears me use the clicker for the puppy I'm currently working
with, suddenly I have two wishing to engage in training games. They have
reached a new level of awareness.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
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We were away yesterday and the puppies went to grandma's for babysitting.
Della had her first traumatic crisis, in that the babygate fell on her. She
seemed to have survived unscathed. Tuck and Della have discovered pull games.
The
housebreaking hasn't been successful due to inclement weather and the puppies
unwillingness to participate in winter. Last night was a dry night though with
me only getting up once in the night to let them out.
I made the mistake of feeding them first this morning before training. They
aren't very food motivated yet anyway, so I will wait until they are hungry
before training. But they were so hungry this morning , because they got fed
early last night, that I thought it best to feed them, or they would be so
distracted that they couldn't think. Cappy escaped the yard a few days ago, and
got into a wild goose. She has giardia. The vet only treated Cappy. None of the
other dogs seem affected, but I would have been much more comfortable treating
them all. Because the presence of giardia is now on the property.
The puppies are mobile enough that babygates are essential. Reka loathes the
idea that a "gated community" is even necessary.
Reka
loves these puppies! And surprisingly, Torin wants nothing to do with
them. Of course Torin has had very painful experiences with them. Reka's
experience is to teach them to play. Torin's is evasion from the nipple
gnashing terrorists. They continue to view her as the milk machine, even though
she is now dried up.
The devil to Torin comes in grey felt pajama suits, pointy ears, roly-poly
teddy bear bodies, and needle fangs.
Tuck
discovered that if he pulled on the retaining strap to secure wood loads on
the wood cart for the fire place, he could make it move. It was so cute
watching the wee little guy pulling around a 24 pound cart with 22 pounds of
wood on it.
Della
developed and aversion to the vacuum cleaner. I had hoped with all her
previous exposure, there would never be an aversion. Della also had a small
casualty in the toe nail trimming process. She calmed down right away as I
cuddled her. Her first of many, I'm sure, but regrettable. She calmly laid
quietly as I finished the procedure. I noticed that she has also developed a
small umbilical hernia.
I
followed up later with a vacuum grooming to both puppies. Della being
reticent about the whole affair, while Tuck relaxed, unrestrained and enjoyed
it.
Della has learned that if she goes to the crate, I can't bother her. She now
sees the crate as refuge, not prison. It's a place of food/toys and refuge from
the ham-handed bifocal-needing toenail-trimmer wielding tyrant.
Della:
Eye tests should be required before trimmer licenses are issued!
Reka:
I concur!
As
of 9pm, 3 errors in housebreaking two puppies out of 27 successes.
I
was just about to feed puppies, when I decided to put them out first. I was
cooking their venison when they came in. They have an unopened bag of puppy
food on the kitchen floor. Both puppies discovered the bag and recognized it as
food. I'm not sure which puppy made the discovery first, but both were whining
and crying wanting in the bag. I now need to find a new location for puppy food
before I accidentally encourage thieving. They LOVE bear meat (as do I).
Jeff
has a really nasty bug. He and I have been sharing puppy watch duties.
He's so medicated that assistance from him is out of the question. But then,
puppy success rate is higher, when I'm on duty. The bad news, I feel like I'm
coming down with something.
Both puppies are finally taking some interest in puppy chewies of many
varieties. Both puppies are fairly consistant in the recall. Della, always the
more independent puppy, being the one most likely to head off on her own
agenda. Considering that I have yet found something that really motivates them,
besides bear meat and venison, and then only when they are hungry, I consider
them doing very well.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Return to February calendar
Tuck
and Della have inherited Torin's little foot dance thing. Dee will smile
when she sees this, because she will know what I mean. Torin hasn't done it
since she got pregnant, so it must be inherited. Had several setbacks in
housebreaking yesterday, but it was pouring down rain, and really not a nice
place for puppies to want to spend their time. Considering the day, the number
of accidents weren't as frequent as I would have expected. Cappy is sick
(probably something to do with eating the goose when she got out of the yard
when we weren't looking. ) but Torin was vomiting yesterday as well and acts
as if she doesn't feel well. Torin turned down her lamb this morning, and Reka
turned
her nose up at breakfast this morning as well. So I have to suspect something
is going
around. That, or the Knockout that I sprayed around the sleeping area of the
dogs has affected them. It's supposed to be dog safe. We brought home a couple
of flea infested squirrels last week while hunting, and the dogs have been
scratching since. I suspected a flea problem, treated the dogs with frontline
and used an area spray to knockdown a potential problem on the carpet in the
bedroom (no puppies allowed) and the couch (where the beagle sleeps). This
might explain why
the adults are sick and the puppies aren't affected, and I'm keeping them away
from the adult dogs
today and pottying them in different areas. Training is going to be difficult.
This
litter is much quieter than I would expect such young puppies to be. And
they are so good! They are such a joy.
I
hope Torin's "dance" isn't gone for ever, but I never rewarded the behavior,
because with my bad back, I could never play with her, and moving targets are
difficult (and painful for me) to pet, so I never pet her until she quit moving.
As
I bragged about this litter being particularly unvocal, Tuck was raising cane
in his crate. I found it odd. As he increased in urgency, I realized he had to
potty. He's asking to go out.
Della
uses her nose like a guidance system. Tuck will smell something but he
can't seem to figure out how to use his nose to locate it. I replaced the bowl
of water in their crate with a water bottle, because they were always spilling
it. It also gave them more play space. Tuck figured it out after about 4
hours,
but Della took a day to work it out. Now the bottle seems to be both puppies
preferred water delivery system.
Torin
wouldn't eat her breakfast, but she did chase the food filled treat
dispenser ball around until it was gone.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Return to February calendar
Della
and Tuck went outside, and when I brought them in, I fed them. I fed the
adult dogs first and let them out. By that time the puppies were finished.
Della followed the adult dogs to the door, but I didn't let her out. so she
barked at the door, and I opened it. She immediately went out and pottied.
Tuck
is playing with toys now, and I'm now in the long arduous phase of
teaching them about their vs my toys.
I
was going to work them on target training this morning during their highly
active window, but obviously they have better things to do. I had minimal
success, and will go back to lessons once they have burned off some energy.
Having two puppies is so much fun! Jeff pines that it's too bad there aren't
six of them.
Tuck's ears are back straight up this morning. I have to get some pictures!
It's very hard to get pictures now, because they are so mobile and digitals
have such long delays that I keep getting a bunch of empty frames or partial
body shots. It's the animation that's so very cute!
Wednesday, February 01, 2006 -Five weeks old today
Return to February calendar
Success!
A dry 24 hours with no accidents. I'm not sure if I should be prouder
of me, or them. We are both in training. Myself, in that I anticipate their
needs, and them for the fact that they "are" actually holding it until I put
them out. The instant I set them on the ground, they pee, and go about looking
for a good place to poop.
Tuck
will cuddle upside down now, So I'm assuming yesterday was just a bad day.
He had things to do and places to be, I guess. This morning, I put a blanket
over them, and allowed them to figure out how to get out. This is an exercise
in Ian Dunbar's
"My Dog Can Do That".
I think the object was to teach them problem solving, confined spaces, and
acclimate them to things like collapsing tunnels in a non-stress situation.
It's time for tether training. Now they both have collars, it's time to
commence.
Tether training
is pretty uneventful. Except Della quietly slipped a collar, resulting my
resetting her collar a bit tighter. Both puppies are beginning
target training
and at success, get a click and treat. The snag is with TWO puppies, only one
can be doing the training at a time. When the other hears the
clicker
, it comes running thinking it has done something right, expecting it's treat.
I obviously need to rethink this.
The
pups moved from whelping box to crate at 3am. I woke up to take puppies
out, and Della was in the bedroom, and I almost stepped on her in the dark.
PRISON BREAK! time to start
crate training.
Tuck's
ears finally have tipped over. They have been so short that they have
never fallen down until now. Della's have been tuliped for several weeks. Now
waiting for them to come up again
Tuck
looks like a cube on stilts. 4" x 4" x 4". Della almost looks the same,
except is a bit longer. Both VERY square and compact.
Here is my 'target'
After I was sure Tuck understood 'touch' I began teaching Della, when I knew
Tuck
was safely asleep in the kitchen. Tuck woke up and scampered into the room to
beat Della to the 'touch' and reward!
eWpS!, first accident in 2 days (4:40pm) Both puppies out, both puppies did
their business outside. Tuck came in by himself, and while I was supervising
Della up the stairs, when we came in, Tuck was now proud overseer of puppy Lake
Tuck! hmmmmmmm. So much for:"I think he's got it!"
4 weeks old
return to top
skip to 5 weeks
skip to 6 weeks
skip to 7 weeks
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Della
climbed the porch steps for the first time this morning and came in
through the door herself. She's a big girl now! Tuck has suddenly decided he's
too big to be cuddled like a ragmop, and struggled and screamed like a little
girl when I tried to hold him on his back like I always have,
This is the first entire day the pups have gone an entire day without a house
accident. (They are training me well) Both pups have been excellent. Other than
working on housebreaking, we haven't done anything special today. Both pups
climb up the porch steps and wait at the door to come in. Both pups are
starting to come when called. Reka kept trying to invite them to play with her
today. They play with each other, but have yet to grasp the concept of big
dog/little dog play. They think of Big dog as nursing station. Which wasn't
what Reka had in mind at all.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Puppies
are doing better with their housebreaking. still plenty of accidents
but probably 50% there. The failures have been mine. They both know to potty
when they go out. But they seem to think they need to go out more often than I
do. Hence the accidents. Neither puppy cares for dental care. Need to work
some more on that.
Last night, when feeding the pups, I gave them some left over
venison/puppyfood mixture that had been packed down. They would bite it, but
had some problems getting it out of the bottom of the bowl. Tuck wrapped his
leg around the rim of the bowl and pulled it to him, raising the bowl, so he
had better leverage to get the food out. This was deliberate. It was not an
accident. This is the first glimmer of the spark that I was hoping would be
there.
Della's
tail touched her back today. Several times. Almost a full curl. Both
pups tails are holding them centered.
I
got a new set of toys today. JUMPS!
Danny's
jumps got smashed in the driveway when we developed a sinkhole in the
driveway from a cable that the telephone company ran through the yard. Since
we had to wait a while for the company to come fix it and we had the Gun shop
at the time, I set up Danny's jumps around the sink hole to keep cars from
driving in to it and sinking. A car backed through the jumps and needed a tow
truck to pull out. The phone company paid for that too! They hurried and fixed
the hole then. But my jumps got smashed.
I
was going to build some jumps for Reka, but was always too broke with Danny's
vet bills, that by the time I had enough for materials, I was aware that she
was dysplastic and I would never jump her anyway.
I
now have a 4 week old hopeful, and I just bought myself a set of CDX and
utility jumps as incentive to me to keep up his training. I'm so excited!
Now I have to wait until he's two and then I will set them up!
I can hardly wait!
I
saw the first Glimmer of Danny in Tuck. Not a big deal, but it was the glimmer
that I have been hoping for.
The 4 week old puppy is problem solving. The night before, Jeff was lying in
bed, and commented that he hates to say anything, because he's afraid to jinx
it, but he sees more and more of the "big" guy in the little guy every day. I
have felt the same and have kept quiet, simply because it's so early, I thought
it was wishful thinking. Danny was "slow" as a puppy, watching everything, not
doing much, but simply analyzing, And that's exactly what Tuck is doing.
Almost
all of the activity is done by Della. Tuck just watches. But he's the most alert
of the two. And stays awake almost all the time...... just watching... Nothing
is missed by him. He's not very active. He's pretty much accepting anything we
do with him. He's a very mellow puppy. Very quiet, and gentle. He crawled
over Della last night very carefully so as to not disturb her, crawled in
behind her, and wrapped his foreleg around her before he fell asleep. He
watches me constantly and makes wonderful eye contact. He accepts anything and
everything done to him (except teeth brushing --pitooooie!) with great
congeniality. He's such a good and quiet cooperative puppy, there just isn't
much to say about him. As I watch him.. I think.. It's DANNY!!!
Della is no slouch either. But she still needs to show me something. I
couldn't be more tickled with either of these pups. I'm glad I've got the boy.
But I'd be thrilled with the girl as well. I wish Tuck to have Della's nose and
size. Dee isn't going to like the size and it will be hard to finish if she
goes oversize like Danny. I keep hoping for Tuck to start catching up in size,
but Della keeps right on growing! Hey! "I" was the one who wanted the big dog!
Torin
is everything the other bitches that Danny bred was not. Torin is
reasonably short coupled, compared to the short legged freight trains that
Danny bred before. She is moderate in bone (not light, like the others) but
not heavy boned either. She has a much better tail than either of her
predecessors. Confidence-wise, she really shines, with a better bombproof
temperament than either predecessor AND Danny's "natural" untrained
disposition. She brings to the table a fantastic disposition that I NEEDED in
a Danny breeding. To the negative, she isn't the brightest bulb in the shed.
She's very plain. I don't care for her front movement, and she's small. She
doesn't have the tightest tail in the world, but it IS centered, and curls.
She does not have full dentition. IOW's, Danny had a lot less to "FIX" that
should be less extremes in this litter. Already, I'm seeing a lot higher
quality in this litter, because I remember puppies that I thought were
Butt-ugly. With some nice ones mixed in. These two are not butt ugly. Both
compact, short backed, nice tails, and seemingly heavy boned. On the positive
side, the puppy that I thought was the ugliest pup in the litter, a year later
was a jaw-dropping show prospect. They met me at the show, at ringside. The
competitors saw him and groaned, thinking he was in the class. I was
delighted beyond dreams, because he looked so much like his dad! With not so
much to fix in this breeding, I'm hoping for something even nicer, with Torin's
temperament and Danny's smarts.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Torin
seems to be backing away from these puppies as if to wean them. Looking
at their awesome array of teeth as well as incoming molars, it's understandable
why. Teeth brushing lessons come next. also today, when Jeff goes
goosehunting, on leash restraint begins. They will stay on leash tied off to a
post, until they sit quietly. Their reward for accepting restraint and being
quiet will be release. Jeff hates this phase of training, so we will wait until
he's gone.
During
the bath floatation, Della finally figured out to kick her feet. They
have been floating around the bathtub like rafts while they slept, with me
holding their heads out of water. They are now big enough that they can stand
on their hind legs but only Della tried to actually swim.
The
restraint lesson was a non-event. Both puppies discovered they were stuck,
and both simply laid down and fell asleep until rescued. This was the end
result that I had hoped for, without the learning lesson in between.
Torin
is definitely weaning the puppies! She got in with them last thing this
morning, and they tore at her like pirannahs, and she got right back out.
Can't say I blame her, because the puppies have turned into nipple gnashing
monsters. Torin needs to be protected. She just follows me around looking very
sad and pathetic. I keep telling her it's ok, I'll take it from there. She's
been a wonderful mother! She deserves her time off.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Pups took a 450 mile round trip ride in the car today. They rode like champs,
with no remarkable comments. We deliberately took rumble strips, and they did
not react. Tuck invariably pees when put on grass, and tries to do his duty.
Della is also getting the bigger picture. Since we spent most of the day
traveling, there really wasn't much interaction to comment about.
Last night, Jeff ran to town to get me aspirin. In the meantime, I turned out
the house lights. Jeff came home, Torin and Reka were with me in the bedroom.
Jeff came into the dark living room, and was greeted with puppy growling and a
wee little voice of a bark. He turned on the lights and discovered Della
standing firm ground as Sentry. Della thinks she's a watch dog!
Friday, January 27, 2006 08:16:49
Pups
had their nails dremmeled this morning for the second time. They have been
trimmed three times and now dremmeled twice. Vet trip today. Tuck has his dad's
body, very shortbacked and compact. Della takes after her mommy. Tuck climbed
the
back stairs to get on the porch this morning during his trip outside. When I
called Della, she ran the other way to the woodpile. Feeling sorry for herself
for being alone, she ultimately came out, and was rewarded venison for her
efforts (and a click). Jeff and I are leaving for a five hour road trip to
michigan tomorrow and taking all the dogs with us, except the beagle. We simply
dont have crate room for the third dog, and the beagle is destructive to the
car interior if we leave her unattended. I don't want the beagle as a role
model of behavior for my puppies! So the puppies get their first long trip in a
car. Hopefully they will be seasoned travelers and not get carsick. I can't
imagine a problem.
The
chickens all stormed the puppies this morning and stood in a big circle
examining the puppies and clucking. The puppies sat there watching them,
unaware that they were supposed to be barking at them or chasing them.
Actually, none of the dogs chase them. Reka ignores the chickens entirely, and
Torin does a nice job of herding them calmly. The rabbits are another story
OTOH.
We have three semi-wild-tame-bred rabbits running loose outside. The male
hopped up to Tuck yesterday while he was doing gunfire training and investigated
him. Tuck sat there looking at the rabbit, unsure what to do. And the Rabbit
ran away when he saw Reka doing a slow motion stalk on him. We did not have
Torin present during the gunfire training, as she is fearful of both gunfire
and definitely does not like thunder. She doesn't crash like most Elkhounds do
during a thunderstorm, but she definitely is uncomfortable with it. Reka,
raised around gun fire, loves it, because it means there is a family sport and
activity going on, and it will have a positive outcome. So Reka was chosen for
the gun-fire steady role model to teach the pups that loud noises are ok.
I
was leaving yesterday before i posted, and didn't complete my thoughts on the
puppies initial reaction. On the first shot, both puppies jumped and looked up.
Tuck ran away about 5 steps, looked around, saw none of the rest of us moving,
checked Reka, who was sitting there quietly, waiting to be sent for a retrieve
that never happened (She ultimately brought me back the paper target) And they
puppies were eating venison while this all happened. The second shot, they
lifted their heads and looked, and by the third shot, they didn't even react.
They just kept on eating. This was the goal during this training session.
Failure
to react during gun fire is also a failure for the Temperament test. So
although this is my goal for now. They must learn to look up, and at least
investigate.
American Temperament Test Society Test evaluation at http://www.atts.org/testdesc.html
. This was the area of evaluation where Reka failed. When she was to sit with
her back to the gunfire, She continued to sit. They failed her on avoidance.
She's accustomed to gunfire, and she was sitting, waiting to be sent to
retrieve. So she absolutely did not react, and failed for avoidance. I argued
to no avail. In my mind, Reka passed even though she has no TT behind her name.
so doing this training may bite me if i ever want to Temperament test these
puppies, but the pay off will absolutely be worth the tradeoff, in that they
become steady under loud surprising noises like gunfire, which Tuck WILL have to
live with here.
I'm
looking for a large piece of sheet metal to "rumble" to imitate thunder.
Another thing that looks like it would be a very fun thing to do would be Dog
Scouts. I may look into starting a chapter here.
http://www.dogscouts.com/handbook
Pups
back from vet. They achieved unremarkable scores across the board. The
scale rating from very bad to unremarkable, being the highest rating. During
their visit, they Were very friendly, cooperative, alert, compliant. There
were never any complaints, crying, wriggling, struggling. They confidently met
everyone as if they were their best friend.
There were no fear experiences. Since I hurt my back this morning, I couldn't
pick up a crate this morning, I simply put them in the back deck of the car.
Della crawled up and rode beside me to the vet, sitting on the arm rest playing
her best Sphinx imitation.
Joints
seem normal. Eyes, ears,teeth, fecal, color, heart sounds, temperament,
lungs, all unremarkable. A good visit. They got their first hard biscuit from
the vet. He suggested some hard biscuits to help them cut teeth.
The
vet tech that originally dubbed Della as the Loud Mouthed Bushy Bitch
changed her tune, when she witnessed Quiet, Compliant, Cooperative, Alert,
Attentive, Friendly little Della, who exuded charm.
I
took Della into TSC to fit a collar to her, so I could quit rotating the
collar. Della slept through the whole thing. I left the collar on her, and she
was cradled in my elbow like a baby, upside down and sound asleep, With tags
all over the collar she was now fit, and wearing. As I was standing in line,
the lady in front of me Looked at the "toy" and commented about how darling
that bear was. And saw the price tag of $5 on the collar. She asked where I got
that, as she would get one for her granddaughter. I didn't get to say anything
before Della moved a paw and yawned. She stepped back and asked, it's REAL?
She thought Della was a stuffed toy! I told her she was just getting a collar
fitted. The $5 was for the collar, NOT the "toy".
All
the Elkhounds I've had, tended to be headers or heelers, meaning their
preferred approach to taking an animal is head on, or tendons (heeler). Danny
was a header. Senja was a heeler. Reka is a heeler. Torin is a heeler. And
it's already apparent that Tuck is a heeler. Verdict is out yet on Della.
We
have completed all the different surfaces requirements (and much much
more!!!!!) And have completed the Travel requirements. Also the meeting people
requirements. A lot of the rest of the puppy socialization requirements will
have to wait until the puppies are old enough to be vaccinated and it's safe
for them to venture out. I can't forsee anymore development possible as listed
on the puppy socialization Calendar until vaccinations take place. In the mean
time, Exposure to something new, and re-exposure to past stimulation will
continue, as well as with training.
Vet
said to cut Torin back. She's gained 3 pounds since the last visit. He
asked what I was feeding, and I told him 3 cups of food per day. 1 1/2 c twice
daily. He recommended cutting her back to 1 1/4 c x 2. Revising his statement
that you never cut back diet on a nursing bitch. He forgot that you do NOT feed
an Elkhound!
Tuck
likes carrots. Della just has a minimal vocabulary. GOT MILK? and WHERE'S
THE BEEF?
Thursday, January 26, 2006 15:14:33
New page, new layout. I'm going to put new additions at the top of the page
instead of appending to the bottom, for easier reading. Beautiful fourty degree
weather today, Put the puppies out in the yard while I cleaned the Chicken
house. Both puppies peed and pooped in the yard, and Both ran about all over
exploring. They climbed the wood pile (YAY!!! Unstable footing .. passed) And
exposed them both to .22 caliber gun fire. Both watched while I held them and
Jeff shot. Neither reacted or acted stressed, beyond interest.( Ie, looking
where the noise went.) I rewarded them with clicker, and fed them venison for
their behavior. I might mention, they have been trading off the purple collar
(seen in some of the photos) for better than a week now. One wears it for two
days, and then I switch, Neither resist or pay the collar any attention. Both
accept restraint without resistance.
return to top
Notes from birth to 1 month old
1 month to 2 months
2 months
3 months