Shadowfax Australian Terriers

04/28/2024

Good read.

12/09/2023

Good read about the Canine Respiratory Illness

08/20/2023

NEW PUPPY OWNERS…….

As puppies head to their new homes I wanted to touch base on a common issue that breeders come across with new owners.

Realistic Expectations

You see the breeders pictures and videos and The pups are all social. They are quiet in the pen. The breeder shows you videos of them being totally relaxed, happy, playful. All looks amazing and you bring your puppy home.

Then reality hits. The puppy may cry in the crate for the first few nights making you tired and agitated. The happy social puppy is refusing to greet the half dozen overly excited friends you invited over to see your new puppy. Or the overly excited playful children you have at home. The puppy refuses to walk on a leash. Many are wondering how did my perfect puppy turn into a nightmare.

So let’s discuss realistic expectations of when a puppy goes home. First of all the puppy has been in the breeders home since birth. They had their mother and often littermates. They had their routine, were taught expectations and were completely in their comfort zone.

Now suddenly they are taken to a totally new environment. Picture yourself being dropped into an unknown country, often in a different part of the world. You know only a few words of their language. Differnt trees, animals, smells, temperature and people. Now in the middle of this we are switching up your routine, decide to have a party with people you dont know, and ask you to do jobs you have no idea about. Overwhelming to say the least.

This is what every puppy goes through when going to their new home. Stress manifests in different forms. From not eating, reluctancy to play and greet people. Being apprehensive at the vet’s office or as strangers reach for them. Diarrhea, vomiting and depression can occur.

So what can you as a new owner do to help your little one acclimate?

- most puppies take 3-4 weeks to acclimate to their new home. Repeat after me THREE to FOUR WEEKS sometimes even Longer! Not a 1-2 days. I can’t stress this enough about how much time is needed for a dog or puppy to feel comfortable in their new home!
- limit guests during the first week. We understand you are excited to show off your new baby but they need time to adjust. Plan on waiting 1-2 weeks before inviting people over
- ask guest to sit on the ground and let the puppy approach them. No squealing and grabbing the puppy
- set up a good routine
- restrict the puppy to a small area of the house. This not only reduces them being overwhelmed but also allows you to watch them
- don’t expect a 8-13 week old puppy to walk on a leash. Instead work at home with a leash where they are comfortable. Let them drag the leash, use treats to encourage them to walk with you
- if your puppy is refusing to walk give them time. My first trips to town with puppies a walk around a small block took 1 1/2 hours. We only move when they initiate the movement as they need time to take in the different environment
- understand your puppy needs time to see you as family. Expecting an immediate bond is unrealistic
- train your puppy. This not only helps you to bond but the puppy to look to you for direction and input
-Children are also big stressors to tiny fragile puppies, please keep an eye on puppy at all times when around children.
- lastly be patient. Don’t declare “omg there’s something wrong with this dog”. Nothing occurs overnight. Outings should be planned at puppy speed. So while you might imagine a fun walk around the lake in reality your puppy might only be able to handle walking a short distance that day.

Most outings for me take a long time, as I am often just standing still as the puppy cautiously explores the new environment. Patience is key!

Remember if the puppy was wonderful at the breeder’s house but now is struggling, you as the owner, need to help the puppy adjust which takes time, patience and training. Have realistic expectations and give the puppy positive experiences. Each puppy is an individual, don’t compare your current puppy to past pets and judge their behavior based on how another dog handled things. Lastly, try to see thing’s from a puppy’s perspective and adjust situations accordingly.

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07/29/2023

Playtime over

07/16/2023

Puppies

07/10/2023

Hard being a puppy

07/10/2023

Puppy photos

05/21/2023

05/20/2023

This is the second dog in the last two weeks that we’ve had come in to our hospital with this type of bone stuck around it’s mandible. Separate companies but the EXACT same design.

Please do NOT buy this type of bone for your pup! It’s not worth the risk. Luckily for this patient, our technician was able to wiggle it free but our previous patient was under general anesthesia for nearly a half hour while we went through every tool in our arsenal to saw through both sides of the bone safely.
Both dogs are lucky that they did not end up with lacerations or broken teeth.

10/27/2022

Shadowfax Bohemian Rhapsody “Freddie” stopped in for a groom today. Love this boy 💕

09/13/2022

https://outwardhound.com/furtropolis/water-safety/why-are-retractable-leashes-bad

A retractable leash might seem more convenient, but are there some reasons you shouldn’t use them? Read on to learn more about why retractable leashes might not be a good choice for you and your dog.

12/31/2021

Wishing everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous 2022!

06/13/2021

Shadowfax Born To Be Wild aka Patty at 8 1/2 months

06/02/2021

Shadowfax Born To Be Wild aka “Patty”. 8 months
Dam: CH Shadowfax Reimin Go Ask Alice
Sire: FI CH Reimin Master of Puppets

05/12/2021

Shadowfax Don’t Stop Me Now. Aka Launer. 22 months. Co owned by Doreen Calvin and Theresa Goiffon. Bred by Doreen Calvin &Terry Calvin
Photos by Theresa Goiffon

01/08/2021

This was not written by me. I post this to acknowledge fellow breeders.

From a responsible Breeder-

Because I loved them first...
I didn’t sleep
When I did it was in a whelping pen
Because I loved them first
I did all the health testing I could
I did pre and post whelping care
Because I loved them first

I miss life events, family gatherings, work, sleep and wouldnt have it any other way
My dogs come first that’s why all the questions
Because I loved them first

I cried over a still born I did cpr on for 20 min
I worried and cried and prayed over the weak and tiny ones fighting for them
I bottle fed and clean a million linens
Because I loved them first

I was the first to trim their nails
I was first to give them a bath
I gave them confidence and encouragement
Because I loved them first

I will always take them back into my home
Because I loved them first
I worry and have sleepless nights even when they go to your home
Because I loved them first

When you call me with issues
Do not feel as thou I do not care because remember
I LOVED THEM FIRST

09/07/2020

What a happy boy Freddie is and nice big teeth. Lol. Shadowfax Bohemian Rhapsody

09/04/2020

Shadowfax Don’t Stop Me Now “Launer”. 14 months old. Love how she is developing.

07/08/2020

Happy Birthday to 1 year old Launer, an Australian Terrier bred and owned by Doreen and Terry Calvin, of Shadowfax Australian Terriers. Co owned and video pr...

02/21/2020

Love this photograph of Am CH Shadowfax Good Day Hunter taken by Krystal Mason. Thanks Krystal.

11/29/2019

Beautiful day for being outside.

This is Pepper.

11/08/2019

Pepper.

11/02/2019

11/02/2019

11/02/2019