Secret Valley Farm

04/04/2024

Looking for local pork? 🐷

Taking deposits for this years crop of butcher hogs! Already on their way to being fat and happy, they will be ready to go butcher or be self-butchered in November & December—
We have close to 30 available and we are taking deposits on our first lot of 10.
Red and black Hampshire cross butchering out around 200lbs—
This will be our 4th butcher season and we only have happy customers to date!

04/03/2024

ATTENTION NEW PUPPY OWNERS…….
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 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, in a different part of the world. You know only a few words of their language. Different sounds, smells, temperature, animals and people.
Now in the middle of this we are switching up your routine, possibly decide to have a party with people you don't 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!
PLEASE limit guests during the first two weeks. 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 guests to remove their shoes before entering the home to prevent germs from spreading to your new vulnerable puppy.
-have guests sit on the floor/ground and wait until the puppy approaches them. NO squealing and grabbing the puppy, as this is very frightening to them.
- 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 8-12 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 a good amount of time.
- understand your puppy needs time to see you as family. Expecting an immediate bond is unrealistic. They will need to establish who the leader of the pack is in order to feel safe and understand the hierarchy of the family unit.
- 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 children around the puppy at all times. The children may need to learn how fragile the puppy is and how scared it may be.
- lastly, most importantly- BE PATIENT. Don’t declare “omg there’s something wrong with this dog”. Nothing occurs overnight.
Outings should be planned after the puppy has received ALL vaccinations and then only at the puppy’s 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. They may be curious and energetic, they may become overwhelmed. Watch the puppy for cues on how to proceed.
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 feedback and happy 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.
Love your puppy and they will love you 100 times more in return.
🐾 🩵🩷
Copied from another breeder. Photo owned by Secret Valley Farm, March 2023 litter pup.

04/03/2024

Hello! It’s been a little while 👋

Annie here loves fetch, all day, every day, until the end of time; loves it!

Who else has a GSP that feels fetch is life?

01/28/2024

We have a 10 month old female available for adoption, middle dog in the video. This girl is sweet and VERY smart. Please message me for more details if interested, serious inquires only. Thank you.

12/26/2023

Anyone recognize these pups? Missing their humans, safe at the Ellensburg Animal Shelter.

*adopted*
Found dogs. If you recognize this pet, please contact the Ellensburg Animal Shelter at 509-925-7387. Proof of ownership will be required to claim.

10/13/2023

A little Fall action this week!

08/20/2023

Local Farm 📣SHOUTOUT📣

🎉Christie Farms Season Grand Opening Weekend!🎉

🫑Produce boxes
💐Flowers
🛁Bath & Body by Moth & Moon
🍋Fresh Squeezed Lemonade by Tristan & Lillian

⏰Saturday & Sunday 10am - 5pm

📍Dead End Book Lane off Nelson Siding Road

Support this wonderful family and get your produce for the week. Produce Boxes are PACKED full of veggies grown right on the farm and are rounded out with local fruits and a dozen eggs from their hens.

Win☝🏼 Win☝🏼 WIN☝🏼☝🏼☝🏼

08/18/2023

This time of year the farm page goes a little quiet as Jam Shop season is in full effect.

Yet still daily (often multiple times per day), the eggs are collected, the hens talked or sometime sung too, the dogs played & trained with, the pantry stocked; and the show goes on!

08/10/2023

Puppy Life 🐾🐾🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

05/29/2023

We remember, we are thankful and so very grateful.

05/28/2023

Now open Sundays at the new storefront!

Starting today we will now be open on Sundays from 10am to 4pm.

05/20/2023

A few pups looking for forever homes.

These crazies start going home this weekend.

05/16/2023

Vaccinations, deworming & microchips; OH MY!!

05/15/2023

JAILED!! Convicted egg eater, perfectly fine hen otherwise. Free to anyone who’d like to come take her.

05/14/2023

Hope all you mama’s get a day of rest and happily family time! Happy Mother’s Day 💐

05/13/2023

Little outting yesterday for the girl puppies 💞🐾 One female still AVAILABLE, PM for info.

05/09/2023

Oh, hi!! Just laying here, rockin’ our cuteness.

04/25/2023

Me: I’m watching you 👀
Puppies: No, WE are watching you! 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

04/24/2023

Gruel, milk bar, dewormed and passed out all before 8:30 this morning.

04/23/2023

We are still looking for a few homes for these puppies. Enjoy the livestream action on this !!

https://www.youtube.com/live/2hLP96EoNOA?feature=share

04/22/2023

Looking to add to your family this year? These dogs are highly intelligent, full of energy, wonderful bird hunters and fantastic family dogs.

04/22/2023

Sire to our March 2023 litter AKC Gus Steg:

Now 4 years old, Gus was born from Freyja x Yolo from River Rein Kennels in Snohomish, WA. Gus has remained in perfect health and has been screened for hip dysplasia.
Bird hunting pheasant & grouse since his first year, he has an excellent natural instinct. While Gus exhibits natural hunting ability he’s also proven as a loyal family dog.

04/21/2023

It’s gruel-thirty at the farm and they are loving it!!

04/18/2023

Finding their “Big Dog” voices this week!

04/17/2023

Oh these babies!!
Looking for homes, message us for more info.

04/17/2023

Exciting things this week, learning to walk in what I like to call the weeble wobble stage.

Looking for homes so please share to help find these babies forever homes.

🔊Sound ON for cute puppy noises🐾

04/14/2023

It’s a feeding frenzy! Sound on for full experience 🔊