8 Week Headshots

The BOYZ had their evaluation today with another breeder and some Vizsla friends and family. Here are some lovely headshot of each Baby Boy taken by my friend Shirley Olsen.

Blue/Tommy

Lime/Tait

Grey-Olive/Taz

Orange/Tanner

Red/Trey

We're 7 1/2 weeks old and we destroyed our Puppy Pen!

Destroyed!

Ok, let's try this again.

The BOYZ destroyed their freshly cleaned and sparkly Puppy Pen while I dressed for work.  All in a matter of about 30 minutes. This is the reason I do want any owners creating a Puppy Pen -- but rather to go straight to crate training.  

While the play area was being replaced/swept/re-organized the puppies shared a crate (with the door closed) and while there was some momentary screaming --- they all survived. 

Crates, Car Rides, Shots and Vets -- OH MY!

The BOYZ had a big day -- a car ride to the vet in a crate. The pups were a huge hit at Yorba Regional Animal Hospital where they got a check up and weigh in.  There was a bit more "quiet" on the way home from the vet (1.25 drive) -- yay! 

The Puppy’s Rule of Twelve - Socialization Info

The Puppy’s Rule of Twelve

Positive Paws Dog Training © 2002

Margaret Hughes - mags@positivetrainer.com

Adapted with permission from Pat Schaap’s “RULE OF 7’s” for 7 week old puppies. Make sure all experiences are safe and positive for the puppy. Each encounter should include treats and lots of praise. Slow down and add distance if your puppy is scared!

By the time a puppy is 12 weeks old, it should have: (if your puppy is over 12 weeks start right away with this socialization guide.)

• Experienced 12 different surfaces: wood, woodchips, carpet, tile, cement, linoleum, grass, wet grass, dirt, mud, puddles, deep pea gravel, grates, uneven surfaces, on a table, on a chair, etc.
• Played with 12 different objects: fuzzy toys, big & small balls, hard toys, funny sounding toys, wooden items, paper or cardboard items, milk jugs, metal items, car keys, etc.
• Experienced 12 different locations: front yard (daily), other people’s homes, school yard, lake, pond, river, boat, basement, elevator, car, moving car, garage, laundry room, kennel, veterinarian hospital (stop by sometimes just to say hi & visit, lots of cookies, no vaccinations), grooming salon (just to say hi), etc.
• Met and played with 12 new people (outside of family): include children, adults (mostly men), elderly adults, people in wheelchairs, walkers, people with canes, crutches, hats, sunglasses, etc.
• Exposed to 12 different noises (ALWAYS keep positive and watch puppy’s comfort level – we don’t want the puppy scared): garage door opening, doorbell, children playing, babies screaming, big trucks, Harley motorcycles, skateboards, washing machine, shopping carts rolling, power boat, clapping, loud singing, pan dropping, horses neighing, vacuums, lawnmowers, birthday party, etc.
• Exposed to 12 fast moving objects (don’t allow to chase): skateboards, rollerskates, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, people running, cats running, scooters, vacuums, children running, children playing soccer, squirrels, cats, horses running, cows running, etc.
• Experienced 12 different challenges: climb on, in, off and around a box, go through a cardboard tunnel, climb up and down steps, climb over obstacles, play hide & seek, go in and out a doorway with a step up or down, exposed to an electric sliding door, umbrella, balloons, walk on a wobbly table (plank of wood with a small rock underneath), jump over a broom, climb over a log, bathtub (and bath) etc.
• Handled by owner (& family) 12 times a week: hold under arm (like a football), hold to chest, hold on floor near owner, hold in-between owner’s legs, hold head, look in ears, mouth, in-between toes, hold and take temperature (ask veterinarian), hold like a baby, trim toe nails, hold in lap, etc.
• Eaten from 12 different shaped containers: wobbly bowl, metal, cardboard box, paper, coffee cup, china, pie plate, plastic, frying pan, Kong, Treatball, Bustercube, spoon fed, paper bag, etc.
• Eaten in 12 different locations: back yard, front yard, crate, kitchen, basement, laundry room, bathroom, friend’s house, car, school yard, bathtub, up high (on work bench), under umbrella, etc.
• Played with 12 different puppies (or safe adult dogs) as much as possible. [This does NOT mean at the dog park.]
• Left alone safely, away from family & other animals (5-45 minutes) 12 times a week.
• Experienced a leash and collar 12 different times in 12 different locations.

Baby Birddogs! The BOYZ and their first bird wing!

The BOYZ had fun playing around and pointing the "bird wing on a string" with one of their future families (Anna and Rob).  Everyone was interested in the wing and showed natural instincts. Nice going BOYZ!

See the full photo album here:  http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-c9B6f/i-twGSbvs

Puppy Development - Weeks 5 to 7

Socialization Period (weeks five through week seven)

The more things the puppies can be introduced to during this period the better socialized the puppy will be and the less fearful of day-to-day encounters.  The BOYZ have had many visitors and have heard neighborhood noises like garbage trucks, tree trimmers, dogs barking, met another dog and have had tons of new experiences in and around the house. 

Under socialized dogs are shy and fearful; I work hard to make sure my puppies are well socialized. This process goes on for months after our adoptive families take their puppies’ home. As responsible owners, it is the responsibility of the new owners to continue this process and not just keep their new puppy at home.

It is VERY important that new puppy owners continue the socialization process to assure a well socialized dog when they mature.

19 Dog-Friendly Stores Where You Can Shop With Your Pup

With the intensive socialization required for Vizsla puppies --- this is helpful info.

19 Dog-Friendly Stores Where You Can Shop With Your Pup

http://barkpost.com/dog-friendly-stores/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post

Canine Maternal Behavior -- VERY important

The BOYZ are learning valuable lessons from Zene.  Last night, I watched her take one of their chewies from their puppy playpen and instead of take it away to chew it, she sat right down in the middle of them all -- almost taunting and teasing them with it -- but also in an effort to show them it was hers (low growls) and that they should respect her.  I love seeing this approproiate behavior and I know how important it is for the puppy to have some "basic doggie language skills" before they head home.  

The below exceprt was posted in a Facebook Vizsla Group, and I was happy to see a well-known breeder on the East Coast comment that she refused to breed one of her girls because she was afraid she would not have any maternal instincts/be a poor brood bitch; much respect for her decision.   

Canine Maternal Behavior 

Maternal behavior is, thus, almost identical in wild a canids and domestic dogs. Immediately after birth, the mother dries the puppies, keeps them warm, feeds them and licks them clean. The maternal behavior right after birth is controlled by hormonal processes and problems may occur if the female gives birth too early. On the other hand, pseudo-pregnancy causes females to undergo hormonal changes which may elicit maternal behavior in various degrees. Maternal behavior seems to be self-reinforcing. Studies show that the levels of dopamine increase in the nucleus accumbens (a region of the brain) when a female displays maternal behavior. 

When the puppies become older, the mother begins to educate them. She gives them the first lessons in dog language about the time weaning begins. Growling, snarling and the various pacifying behaviors are inborn, but the puppies need to learn their function. 

The canine mother has three main tasks: (1) to feed the puppies, first with her own milk, then by regurgitation, (2) to keep them clean and warm, especially when they are very young, and (3) to educate the puppies. 

A good canine mother is patient and diligent. When the puppies grow, dog owners often misunderstand the mother’s apparently more violent educational methods. She may growl at them and even attack them, but she never harms them. Muzzle grabbing is fairly common. Without the mother’s intervention, the puppies would never become capable social animals and would not be able to function properly in a pack (a group of wild dogs living together is in English called a pack). When the puppies are about 8-10 weeks old, the mother seems to lose some of her earlier interest in them. In normal circumstances, the rest of the pack, then, takes over the continuing education of the puppies, their social integration in the group (which probably mostly consists of relatives) and their protection.

Entire article: http://rogerabrantes.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/canine-maternal-behavior/ 

Potty training breakthrough!!!!

Woohoo a potty training breakthrough --- The BOYZ held it through the night at 6 1/2 weeks old. I was getting worried I'd be cleaning this mess up every morning until go home day. Thank you BOYZ.  

Six Weeks Old!

More handsome by the day -- The BOYZ turned Six Weeks Old today, Sunday November 9th.

Tanner

Tait

Trey

Taz

Tommy

Make Your Life Easier -- start training from DAY ONE

Every puppy comes to their new home with an inherent desire to follow. They are always underfoot and look to you for guidance and entertainment. Then something happens...they turn 16 weeks and realize that they can be independent. 

If you do it right, teaching your new puppy to come back when called is the easiest skill to solidify. Your puppy is already showing you the desired behaviour. All you need to do is reward it, praise it, solidify it. By rewarding their desire to follow, you are creating a solid foundation on which to build your recall. If you wait until they are 16 weeks old, you will have to work exponentially harder to make recalls fun and rewarding. 

Make life easier for you and your new pup - start training from day one and always reward the behaviors you like.

Erinn Lee Dog Training
http://www.erinnlee.com

The boys play hard and sleep harder!

Taz and Trey

Tanner

Tait and Trey

Taz

Trey

Introduction to the crate ....

The BOYZ have a 300 sized* plastic crate (32") in their play area now -- I think they like it!  They use it for a playroom and eventually took a nap in there, all five of them!

*Note: this crate size is too small for an adult Vizsla, plan on at least 36"

Puppy Housetraining -- the biggest challenge, or is it?

Successful house-training is one of the first things parents of a new puppy need to accomplish, and even though the process can be time-consuming, it does not have to be daunting. With a combination of consistency, common sense, and positive reinforcement protocols, you can quickly train any puppy to toilet appropriately.

Crate Training

Crate training is the ONLY way of encouraging puppies to hold themselves for longer periods of time and keeps puppies safe when unsupervised. If you use the crate correctly, it will become a safe space for your puppy as well as a highly effective toilet training tool.  

Stay Alert!

Regardless of which method you use to housetrain your puppy, remain especially vigilant and prepared for a pup to eliminate at the following times:

•     Immediately after meals or water
•     After training sessions
•     Immediately after waking up
•     After vigorous play
•     When overly excited

You must have TWO EYES on the puppy AT ALL TIMES -- or they need to be in their crate. 

What Not to Do:

• Never scold a pup or adult dog for toileting inappropriately and never rub his nose in or near his mess. Dogs do NOT toilet inappropriately out of spite. You will only cause your dog to fear you and toilet in secret or when you are out of sight.
• Leaving poorly house-trained puppies or dogs in the home unsupervised sets them up to fail unless they are in a safe area.

Teach a "Go Potty" Command

• You should be taking your puppy outside to eliminate so that you can offer appropriate praise. Incorporate at "Go Potty" command so the puppy quickly learns to do their business.  I find this command invaluable for travel when a quick pit stop is needed.

Kitchen Puppy Party -- and the Puppy Plaything!

"Zene" in the Puppy Plaything

What is the Puppy Plaything, you ask?  It's a PVC pipe contraption that stimulates puppies’ senses in a fun and safe way -- it has hanging toys, bottles, and ("safe") plastic/random objects. Adding the Puppy Plaything to their play area teaches them (at a time they have few fears) that stuff that moves and makes noise is interesting and fun!

Sometimes I'll toss treats inside the Plaything so the pups have to go through the dangling items to get to them. The pups are charging into, tugging on and playing with the Plaything. They enjoyed one of their first few meals in the center of the Plaything. This teaches them to tolerate things touching and bumping them while they eat. Good boys!

Some photos from our Kitchen Puppy Party . . . 

Tait checking things out.

Trey lost his collar (Red)

Taz using the pellet potty box

Hi from Tommy!

Successful playtime --- NAPPING BOYZ!

First Meal!

We are such good eaters, a little messy but that's ok!

Our mugshots at three weeks old . . .

Top left Tommy,  bottom left Tait, top right Trey, middle right Taz, bottom right Tanner 

I love their little "mugs"!

Puppy Development - Week 3 to 4

The True Love BOYZ are 3 Weeks Old!

At this stage "fear" has not yet developed and this is the age where the puppies need to be exposed to sudden noises like turning on the vacuum, radio, TV, hair dryer etc. The puppies are now listening to Sound Socialization CD's (you can see examples on the Clean Run website) which have gunshots, sirens, babies crying and the like.

The startle response needs to be experienced and the puppy allowed to return to normal quickly before the fear stage begins. This needs to happen so the puppy knows that when startled throughout the rest of his life, he can return to normal and everything will be ok. A puppy that has not had these experiences during this stage of development will more than likely be a "fearful" dog as a adult (just another reason you want to adopt from a reputable breeder who socializes their litters).

The puppies will begin a loose pecking order at this stage and start "play fighting" with each other. They will also begin to eat food, but still be nursing their mom as well. By Wednesday or so of this week they will be started on gruel which is ground up/wet kibble/deyhydrated raw food.  

As the week goes by Zene will begin to teach them to nurse more gently and when to quit as their teeth will start to appear by nearly 4 weeks. This is one of the first lessons in discipline.

Over the next few days the puppies will be moving out of the whelping box to the PUPPY PARTY PALACE and be exposed to the PUPPY PLAYTHING and teeter totters, boxes, toys and various objects . . . STAY TUNED! 

New Collars!

"Tait"

The BOYZ are 2 1/2 weeks old and all over 3 lbs. which means they've officially grown into their big-boyz collars (instead of the velcro wraps).  Nice going guys!

Horay! "Trey" has eyeballs!