Serendipity Sighthounds

12/14/2024

Day 39

Quiet day inside again due to the rain.

Today we did our first car ride! We took the puppies in two groups for a short ride in the truck. They took this all in stride like it was no big deal. It was just another place to explore, even while moving. Although we will be introducing crates, we won’t be doing crates in the car for rides because few IWs ride in them.

When we got back from the first ride, the Amazon delivery guy was here, so the puppies got to meet him. He said he is afraid of dogs, so it was a good experience for him to meet some sweet pups. It was good for the pups to meet another person as well. We have visitors scheduled for Sunday and our grandnephews visiting on Tuesday, so we are getting a variety of different people for the pups to see.

All the puppies have learned the sound of George’s truck and now sit and wait by the window if they are awake when he gets home. It’s pretty darn cute. 🥰

Today’s results:

Sounds - Quiet day.

Manding - All the puppies are doing well with beginning to sit when they want attention. It really seems to come naturally to them, at least when they’re calm. This is an important skill for giant breeds. We really don’t want them jumping on people.

Barrier Challenge - Red took this to to a whole new level today. Not only did he figure out how to get around the barrier, he figured out how to get to the kibble with formula, a high value meal, by going under and around his litter mate. 🤣

12/13/2024

Day 38

Quiet day inside due to the weather but we still had fun.

We played the Blanket Game to work on object permanence, or in this case, people permanence. 😉 People may disappear but they come back. 🤗

We put the noisy bottle toys back up and they all enjoy making the jingle bells ring and the yogurt container bonk the bars. A few enjoy pulling and playing tug with the soft toys tied on the pen as well.

Then I brought I brought in a small blow dryer to introduce them to a new sound and sensation. I made sure it was just slightly warm so that heat wasn’t an issue. This is another example of giving the pups a choice to interact with the new object as well as the accompanying sounds and sensations, which builds confidence in self as well as in people. As you can see, all eventually made their way back after leaving. Mr. Green, however, had no issues from the start. He just wanted to be with me no matter what I was doing. 🥰

All were treated for Coccidia, a common occurrence in puppies and a typical reason for loose stools and diarrhea. Only a couple had loose stools but since it is highly contagious, all received treatment. This is after the puppies in question had received Kaopectate with Pectin as well as BeneBac probiotics to see if it would clear up. We need healthy tummies so we can have bones to chew on next!

Today’s results:

Sounds - Thunder, fireworks, city sounds as well as dog show sounds.

5 Minutes with Me - Pink and Red both did 5 minutes with me in the kitchen with big sisters Ava and Lily keeping an eye on them. Although they are close to the kitchen and can hear most of the house sounds, it’s good for them to see and hear things close up. The fridge, microwave, mixer, noisy dishes, etc. All have had no issues so far with this. 😁

Barrier Challenge - Going to start working with barriers they have to figure out how to get around rather than over. The first few times it will be with barriers they can see through and then we will move forward with solid barriers.

Recall - They all come running to the puppy puppy puppy call and if you just walk in their room and say anything. 🤣

We continue to work on appropriate use of their newly developed teeth by redirecting the nommage to toys after raising or hiding the body part that they are trying to lock onto. Hopefully by 12 weeks this will be much improved. 🤞🤞🤞

Working towards the vacuum. Started with a blow dryer.

12/13/2024

Where did I go? Everyone apparently knows and is less than concerned about where I disappeared to. 🤣 #

12/12/2024

Although we may interchange the terms, they each mean something entirely different.

Do you know which is the more positive term?

Words matter - even in dog training! Learn the difference between 'cue' and 'command' when training dogs.

12/12/2024

Day 36 & 37

A couple of fun days and I decided to combine them because today was so fun I cannot wait to tell you about it.

Puppies individual personalities are definitely showing and we do our best to let them be themselves while encouraging appropriate growth. Some are bolder than others and we encourage that while gently pushing the others towards self-confidence with gentle guidance.

Tuesday they spent time exploring the porch while we cleaned up and Wednesday we ventured all the way out to the puppy paddock. So many new sights, sounds and smells outside! Grass, leaves, sticks and chickens!!
Mr Gold seemed to take it all in stride like the confident pup he is but the others were a bit more reserved at first. It is a big step into the outside world! With some gentle reassurance and encouragement, they were soon all exploring their new surroundings. Room to zip and zoom! Did you know a leaf is a fabulous toy?? Long naps were had after this adventure.

Today’s results:

Sounds - Quiet day. They all recognize our voices and wake up when they hear us.

5 Minutes with Me - Red helped in the kitchen while I made coffee again Green spent time with me in my office with his mom and Uncle Yggy and Pink helped in the kitchen. Blue ventured into our bedroom to visit George after starting coffee today.

Barrier Challenge - All the puppies have no issues crawling over a small barrier, although some are more eager than others. Word to the wise, these puppies will probably be able to figure out how to escape things rather easily. Sorry, not sorry. They are smart and we are encouraging them to use their brains.
We are going to start a maze challenge next to continue to challenge them.

Recall - I started asking the puppies to follow me with the puppy, puppy, puppy cue. After a few feet I stop, bend down and pet them while telling them how wonderful they are.

The puppy zippy zooms continue and Gold has even been seen doing a play bow to try to initiate play, which is nicer than nipping a littermate on the ear.

Puppy mush is not an issue for anyone but a little formula drizzled in is a welcome treat. 😉

All of the puppies live for a cuddle and love to give kisses. 😘

12/10/2024

Just getting started with this. A few already seem to do this naturally. 😍

Puppies are not tiny dogs. While they are subject to all the same rules of learning theory, they are neurologically wired differently than adult dogs, and also have different physical abilities.

12/10/2024

Day 35

5 weeks old already!! Oh my!!

Puppies received their second worming. We have given it mixed with formula in a bottle so far, so not forced on them. They were all happy to see the bottles again.

Ava and Lily, their big sisters are both in love with the puppies and the puppies are also with them. It’s pretty cute. 🥰

They all seem to have figured out how to coordinate running and are very excited to try zipping around at puppy speed.

Play for the puppies also seems to be moving towards more playful and less bitey and growling. They are working out what is acceptable behavior for play and it is fascinating to watch.

Coming up this week:

Taking treats politely
Learning marker word
Vacuum intro
Manding sit

Today’s results:

Sounds - Lightening and dog show sounds.

5 Minutes with Me - Red helped in the kitchen while I made coffee and warmed the puppy mush. He was fascinated by the sights and smells. Gold hung out in my office area and confidently explored every nook and cranny he could find before crawling into my lap.

Startle and recovery practice -
Stopped for the week due to entering a possible fear phase.

Barrier Challenge - over the barrier to go outside without any issues for the puppies, which was extremely helpful while Dory and I cleaned up their pen.

4 weeks old and so chill with a warm bath. 🥰

Pink shows her brother Blue who is the boss.

12/10/2024

Well, p**p! 💩 💩💩

P**p is not a bad thing, although typically stinky, it provides a glimpse into your dog’s health.

I wrote a cute tongue-in-cheek
book based on a popular Dr.Suess children’s book about p**py adventures and taking care of our dogs. I added some information at the end about why we need to be responsible dog owners and pick up after them as well as what the appearance of your dog’s poo can tell you about their health. A very helpful guide for all dog owners!

Cutely illustrated with photo art from pictures of our first litter of puppies, it is only $7.95 on Amazon.

It is available at a lower cost to breeders and rescues upon request. 😉

It will be included in our puppy go home bags for every litter. 🥳

P**P! As every breeder and puppy owner knows, there is so much of it and it ends up EVERYWHERE! If you can't laugh while you clean up yet another stinky adventure, you may end up crying, and possibly gagging. With a nod to one of the greats of children's books, this lighthearted look at the stink...

12/09/2024

Day 34

A bit of a busy day again today!

The puppies all were bathed, again, and it was no big deal.

Then we had visitors! Our first visitors enjoyed the puppies as much as the puppies enjoyed them. A whole lot of happiness in one room. 🙂
If you live in the area and would like to visit, send me a PM. 😉

We of course did practice with biting toys instead of people, which will be an everyday thing.

They are getting into little puppy fights, which typically escalates over someone biting someone else too hard, which is a good lesson for both. This is why we don’t get involved in the “playground politic” unless it escalates. It’s pretty obvious by their tone that they need some assistance dealing with their big feelings and that just means separation for a moment or two. They are typically back to playing together shortly after a bit of a breather.

Puppy mush has been changed over to soaked puppy kibble with formula added, which will gradually be lessened.

We are also working on settling down from excitement to a quiet calm, which is not too hard if they are full and tired.

Lots of new activities this week. Such a fun age! 🥳

Today’s results:

Sounds - Just new people coming and going and their voices.

New toy - none. Played with the ones they had.

New object - None

Startle and recovery practice -
Stopped for the week due to entering a possible fear phase.

Scents - None today.

4 weeks old and so chill with a warm bath. 🥰

12/08/2024

The puppies had their first visitors today and everyone did great. Gold had a moment of hesitation when he realized these were new humans and then ran right over for his share of the love. 💕

12/08/2024

Day 33

Because we had such a big day yesterday, we had a quiet day today and if you saw the post about Trigger Stacking, you will understand why.

All the puppies come running when you say “puppy puppy puppy!” It’s pretty darn cute. 🥰 They also come running over if you walk in the room and they are awake.

We worked on redirecting the land shark’s teeth to toys instead of people or clothing. Definitely a work in progress. 😂

They all are engaging more with toys and it’s pretty entertaining seeing them try to run with a toy in their mouth.

Today’s results:

Sounds - Vaccuum and carpet shampooer outside their room. No reactions.

New toy - none. Played with the one they had.

New object - None

Startle and recovery practice - Unintentional practice. We were doing puppy howling practice, the big dogs started a loud howl and the puppies all jumped and startled, then quickly recovered.
A few have accidentally gotten into the ball pit and quickly decided it was not the right decision for them. They solved the problem rapidly by getting out and toddering on to something else.
Stopped for the week due to entering a possible fear phase.

Scents - None today.

12/08/2024

This is something important to consider for your dog, especially when you are training them. I definitely keep this in mind when I am raising puppies. There are lots of things I want to do with them but I definitely don’t want to overwhelm them.

Dogs of any age need to know you are there for them and will do your best to advocate in their best interests.

12/08/2024

THERE ARE NO NAUGHTY PUPPIES!

In my opinion, naughty implies a knowledge of an intent to do something that is known to be wrong and puppies and dogs in general are just not made that way. They don't piddle in the house to get back at you and they don't chew your favorite hat for revenge or to make you mad. They are dogs, not people, and they do not operate like us, thank the powers that be. People do such a disservice to dogs on so many levels when they view them as a human. Yes, refer to them as your fur kids as such but always remember what they truly are. Your relationship will be so much healthier if you do.

But, you say, no naughty puppies...really?? Yes really. Now, the things they do may not be what you want and you are not required to like or approve of them. They definitely do some things we don't like but I invite you to take a step back and remember it is the behavior you don't like while remembering that the label you give it is up to you. You are better off spending that energy of figuring out WHY your puppy is doing what they are doing and how to change or prevent that behavior.

Here are a few ways we set our puppies up for success:

1) Puppy proof your house just like you would if you had a baby. If you don't want the puppy to touch it for any reason, put it away so it is out of reach. If your puppy chews on your slippers every day, whose fault is it really? Put those tasty slippers away that smell delightfully like you out of reach.

2) If you can't supervise, contain. Crates, x-pens, a safe room, etc. Don't bother telling me that it is mean. It's not in the least. All puppies should be comfortable with this. You never know when they will need this skill - at the vet, visiting friends, an emergency evacuation. It is nicer than an ER trip to the vet for eating something they should not have!

3) Redirect their attention. Chompy landshark teeth to a toy for example. Call their name to bring their attention to you and away from something they are about to do.

4) Ignore it. I know this one sounds counterproductive, however, it does work for some behaviors because sometimes any attention around the behavior is reinforcing. Demand barking and jumping are two such behaviors that this can work for.

5) Praise the behavior you DO want. After ignoring the jumping and the pup decides to sit and wait for attention, praise and treat.

6) TREATS. Have treats all over the house if not in your pocket so you can reward that good behavior immediately.

7) Naps. Puppies need naps and they may disagree like many toddlers do but just like the toddlers, they can get cranky and this can lead to poor decisions on their part.

8) Plenty of age and size appropriate toys to play with so that they don't need to invent their own. Make sure teething puppies have lots of things to chew on.

9) Exercise that is age and breed appropriate. A tired puppy is less likely to get in trouble.

10) Consider taking some classes in basic manners and obedience.

Setting your new furry family member up for success will pay huge dividends in the future and give you the satisfying relationship you are both seeking.

12/07/2024

Day 32

Such a big day today!! So many things happened. They are growing up so fast. 😢

First, no more bottles. They are eating formula and mush from puppy pans. Although it is hard work, we will miss the bottle time with each of them. They eat like there will never be another meal again from both bowls. 😂 They also have a puppy appropriate water bowl.

We spent a nice amount of time outside since it was so beautiful outside. Toys were played with and siblings attacked. 😂 A few even chose to take a nap outside.

I started teaching them to take treats politely from my hand. They first had to figure out that my hands had a treat first before they could try to take it. They all did great with this once they got the idea. 💡

This was paired with starting to teach them their marker word. We basically do clicker training but use a word instead of a clicker because it’s easier for me and I always have my words with me but may not always have a clicker. The goal is to give the word or clicker meaning for the dog. We want them to initially think that the word means a treat is coming and then you pair it with a behavior, or part of a behavior and when they do something that resembles what you are asking for, you use your marker word to tell them they are right and a treat is coming. It is amazing how quickly they catch onto this concept. Once they firmly grasp it, their learning tends to accelerate because they know offering a behavior will typically lead to a treat and or praise.

Want to read more?

https://www.clickertraining.com/node/824

Today’s results:

Sounds - National Dog Show. Lots of applause and hearing the same ring procedures over and over. They also heard the leaf blower and tractor while we were outside.

New toy - Playing outside and they are actually playing with their toys now.

New object - A few boxes and kitchen items such as an empty butter box. We moved the big box that was in their pen to the patio and that was of no concern either.

Startle and recovery practice -
Stopped for the week due to entering a possible fear phase.

Scents - None today.

12/06/2024

Day 31

Today was a fun day because we set up the puppy ball pit. They were not terribly impressed by it and were more interested in chewing the edges. No one played in it
yet

Today’s results:

Sounds - TV shows

New toy - Ball Pit and balls. Gold actually chased a ball around.

New object - Puppy ball pit!! This was a huge favorite of the previous litter, especially for Ava, who dived in as loudly and as often as possible. So far, this litter is only interested in if it can be chewed or not. 🤣

Startle and recovery practice - Definitely saw them being a bit more spooked today by loud noises and big objects moving around their pen.
Stopped for the week due to entering a possible fear phase.

Scents - None today.

12/05/2024

Hanging out in the living room with his big sister. (Half-sister technically)

12/05/2024

First outdoor adventure. 🥳