Rockhill Mastiffs

06/18/2024

Potty training 🐾

06/17/2024

Playtime!!

06/17/2024

Holy hot outside! 🥵

Is it hot and humid where you are?! If so you might want to keep your furry friends indoors. Our crew went out on the deck and came right back in! 😎
On the upside.. there's no more mosquitoes!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/UyUNwM35XcFbpWhG/?mibextid=NoJtEM

06/17/2024

Came up in my memories today! This was George as a wee pup from our very first litter. He now lives in PEI - the last pic is him and his big sister Maggie ❤

06/17/2024

Great advice! 🥰 🐾

06/17/2024

Poor Boden was stung on the face by a bee today, he's fine now but he was a little out of sorts so I picked up some benedryl and then took him to Dairy Queen 😋

06/15/2024

Puppy Culture: Noise Exposure

24 days old!

I've been introducing the puppies to various noises and experiences. These include dropping a book, banging pots and pans, slamming a door, running the vacuum, and they even experienced their first big thunderstorm last night!—sounds that might typically be considered "scary." The beauty of this is that at just 2 weeks old, the pups barely react and quickly adjust to these new noises. As they grow up, they will be less likely to startle when they hear them. We refer to this important stage as the startle/recovery.

As well, a recent study has shown that classical music has a calming effect on shelter dogs, while hard rock music has the opposite effect. So, I often play relaxing music in the puppy room and can see that it does in fact have a calming affect. Works for me too when I'm trying to get a few hours sleep in between feedings! 🥴😆

06/15/2024

Update- yes that's our cat Bob and yes he's ok, that's how he sleeps 🙃

Boden missed going to work with daddy today 😊

06/14/2024

Took this video around midnight after a late night snack lol, hoping they'll sleep through the night 🤞
It's such as hard job giving them all cuddles and snuggles before bed 🥰

06/12/2024

So I decided to go ahead and introduce puppy kibble gruel tonight since poor momma is getting a bit tired from nursing every three hours. Ten puppies are a lot of hungry mouths to feed, and these little furballs have quite the appetite!!

06/12/2024

Puppy Culture- Week 3

This stage is truly remarkable! While some may underestimate what can be achieved with such young puppies, the reality is quite the opposite. At three weeks old, research indicates that puppies have minimal fear but possess a strong startle reflex. This makes it an ideal time to introduce "Startle Recovery" training. This week I'll be exposing them to various stimuli like dropping metal dog-food dishes, vacuuming, or playing canine audio noises through a speaker. I also trim their nails to get them used to having their feet touched and will eventually add the dremel. Additionally, we spend individual time with each puppy to begin building a healthy bond with humans and reduce separation anxiety later in life.

We just introduced litter boxes to start teaching puppies to leave the "nest" to potty. I was super excited to see some of them took right to it! As the puppies grow I'll gradually reduce the litter box area and move it farther from the "den." This helps them understand that there are many places they shouldn’t use as a bathroom and one designated spot where it’s acceptable. I'll then establish a routine of taking them outside to reinforce that the outdoors is their bathroom. I'm using wood pellet litter which has a natural smell which should make the transition to outdoor potty training go much easier.

Time to go snuggle some puppies! ❤🐾

06/12/2024

The puppies were introduced to the BIG bowl today! I think they liked it... definitely needed a bath after that😆

06/11/2024

21 days old ❤

06/10/2024

Update on our Puppy Culture Practices! ♡

I'm excited to share an update on our Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Tactile Stimulation efforts. ENS starts on day 3 and continues through day 16. Research shows that small, controlled stresses are beneficial for puppies, helping them grow into strong, healthy, and well-adjusted adults. The benefits of ENS include greater tolerance to stress, improved disease resistance, a faster adrenal system, a stronger heart rate, and a stronger heartbeat. This crucial stimulation can only be provided during the 3-16 day window.

Due to Morgan's cesarean, our puppies experienced significant stimulation early on. Therefore, instead of additional ENS, I am focusing on tactile stimulation that mimics maternal care. I'm using long, firm strokes on their bodies and anogenital regions with my hands and a soft brush, rather than adding more ENS-type manipulations. I've decided that SMS (Simulated Maternal Stimulation) is the better protocol in this case and have chosen to implement this approach. This ensures our puppies receive the best start in life ❤

06/10/2024

We tried some puppy mash today! 😋

06/08/2024

Not puppy related 😃

So I just asked my hubby this question and we both got it wrong! 😳

Divide 60 by half and add 50? What do you get?

Apparently we need to go back to grade school 🤣

06/08/2024

Who needs a weighted blanket when you have a giant dog who just wants to snuggle? 😆❤

06/08/2024

It's incredible how much can change in just a few days! Their eyes are opening, and they're starting to walk! And the fun begins!! 🥰🥰

06/06/2024

Late-night 3am treat on the house! Full bellies and happy puppies all around. 🐾

06/05/2024

Puppies are growing fast! ❤🐾

06/02/2024

Morgan's such a good momma ❤🐾

06/01/2024

Pupdate!
One of pups from our last litter ~6 mths old ♡

Mack loves going to watch the kids play soccer!
He just completed a basic manners class and is going to start a canine life and social skills class next!

I'm so happy to see Mack getting out and about with his family! Socialization is crucial for these gentle giants when they're young—and much easier to manage while they’re still small enough to handle! 🐾

05/31/2024

For files

It's great to see they finally updated the recommendations on this. So many giant breed dogs with joint issues, torn cruciates, lymphoma, etc from being fixed too early...

https://www.ucdavis.edu/health/news/when-should-you-neuter-or-spay-your-dog?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2NklkSu0CpvSgToaxuST_nivzlUhjxJMKeoMg-payXd23dJ47Y-gtp1Vc_aem_AcdPmOVwNr6zsTGfwA3up3Owo5PtdhwYOlzOnJxlyz4eB-Sd9iW3sSAHlU8wyibJm09G5CV2ZH4OMl14rR903hqi

A UC Davis study updates guidelines for when you should neuter or spay your dog to prevent increased risk of certain cancers or joint disorders.

05/30/2024

Just came up in my memories! Still true, although Ms Morgan is 225 now and she's taken me out a few times. Like the time I tried to step over her when she was sleeping at my feet and someone came to our door, I pretty near rode her across the floor, not our finest hour 😳🙃

05/30/2024

Puppy pics!! ❤

05/27/2024

Nap time ❤🐾

05/27/2024

Meet Cash!

Exciting news! One of our puppies has found his new forever family! He'll be joining them in New Hampshire once he completes the Puppy Culture program. And we just love his new name Cash!!! His last name is Register 😁
🐾❤️