Hat Trick Portuguese Water Dogs

03/15/2024

03/09/2024

Needs work:

Stay

Chin (rest chin in your hand)

Spin (clockwise)

Twist (counterclockwise)

Leave it

Mat/place

Drop it/trade (when she has something she shouldn’t)

Loose leash walking (she does a great job when already focused on her handler, but it can be difficult to get her attention outside)

Familiar handling:

Paws

Ears

Tail

Muzzle

Brushing

Dremel for nails

Trimming hair around eyes

Sit for attention in X pen - no jumping up on the barrier

Baths

03/09/2024

Jessi is clicker trained and knows the following:

Solid cues:

Come or her whistle (recalls include me touching the dog such as a nose touch or collar grab; she also usually sits)

Sit

Down

Touch (nose touch to open palm)

Watch (make eye contact with handler)

Her name

Crate/kennel

Needs work:

Stay

Chin (rest chin in your hand)

Spin (clockwise)

Twist (counterclockwise)

Leave it

Mat/place

Drop it/trade (when she has something she shouldn’t)

Loose leash walking (she does a great job when already focused on her handler, but it can be difficult to get her attention outside)

03/09/2024

She is already pretty well potty-trained and has a specific whine when she needs to go out. Her pattern is usually two pees and then a p**p if necessary. During the day she likes to run around and play after doing her business, but at night she is pretty efficient and goes back to sleep quickly. At 13 weeks, she is generally up 2-3 times a night. I take her out every 2-3 hours during the day and she has had zero accidents with me. She has not soiled her crate or X pen.

03/09/2024

Unfamiliar noises are sometimes scary, but after two or three exposures with treats, praise, and petting, she is fine. This has included our air condenser, traffic noises, trucks, the vacuum, and other dogs barking. When afraid she will freeze and stare at the scary thing; when very afraid she will run away, generally towards a human or the door to go inside.

03/09/2024

Outside she loves playing, chasing a ball (which she will often throw herself), running around with and chewing sticks, and digging holes. These holes are deep and plentiful, so her home must be ok with this. She is extremely aware of her environment and notices birds, insects, frogs & toads, and squirrels. She will need more work on recalls and focusing on her handler around these environmental distractions.

03/09/2024

Jessi is also thrilled to play with humans - especially tug with rope toys. When in an X pen indoors, she will entertain herself with a couple of toys (preferably something squeaky) and something to chew on. She likes a good cuddle and belly rub and will usually hold your wrist or forearm in her mouth. When highly stimulated or when playing a lot with a human, she will grab onto clothes and shake, sometimes hitting skin, sometimes lightly growling. She is NOT being aggressive and is just playing!! Usually you can redirect her with a toy, or a stick if outside. If that fails, I throw some food in her crate and give her a break. She is most mouthy in the evenings, and her new home will need to be patient with this.

03/09/2024

She is very playful with other dogs. Her play style is bouncy and vocal and she enjoys wrestling, chasing, and being chased. She has played very well with my 12-year-old 50lb lab mix, and has responded appropriately to his corrections; she has learned quickly and is much more polite with him now. If placed in a home with other dogs, they should be her fully grown size or larger as she is a bit big and bouncy for my smaller (19lb) dog. She is curious about cats but will largely ignore them once she’s used to their presence; if they stare at her she may bark at them as if trying to play.

03/09/2024

Jessi is 3 months old and needs a forever home. Jessi is a sweet, happy, curious puppy who loves just about everything! She is very smart and eager to work for food and praise. She loves being with people, but should meet new people outside until she has full bladder control. She has a lot of energy and loves being outside, so will be a fun addition to a home that does outdoorsy things like daily walks, hiking, canoeing/kayaking, etc. A fenced-in yard is a must. She would do well in a home with other dogs, or as the only dog. She has met cats but had minimal interaction; with careful introductions and allowing the cats time to adjust, I think she’d be fine.

02/05/2024

Puppies all got adjusted by the chiropractor today. Banner, the boy, was of course a wimp. Girls were rock stars

02/05/2024

Chewy has puzzle games on sale!! Great for new puppies

02/02/2024

Used nomograph through University Wisconsin to determine vaccination schedule . Puppies received first vaccine yesterday. My last letter we only had to vaccinate them twice and they were covered.

01/31/2024

Puppy eye exams today. They all did great! Not one anomaly in the bunch!

01/29/2024

Marvelle not quite 9 #
Wasp 9 # 13 oz
Shuri 10 # 3oz
Harley 10
Khaji & Banner 11
Jessi 11
Pi aka Blaze 13

01/28/2024

Last night for dinner they ate out of muzzles. First was the soft muzzle. They had to stick their nose through to get food. Second was a bakery muzzle. The food was at the end of muzzle and my hand kept it from falling out. Puppies ate with food in basket muzzle.

This morning we had visitors who stayed for 2 hours playing with puppies. This afternoon we worked on attention walking with clicker and a little target stick training with clicker for lunch. The result of clicker training is the picture of laid out puppies. I'm not doing a selfie but I'm laid out too.

01/27/2024

01/26/2024

On our way to structure evaluations. Playing music from "through a dog's ear" it could be found on Spotify. Research indicated it should be calming to the puppies.

01/25/2024

Rats? Banner, Harley, and Khaji in that order

01/23/2024

Some pictures of the SUPER pups working with a different human. I thought I got more pictures but they're not there anymore.

01/22/2024

We've been outside for 45 minutes and I'm still waiting for them to get tired

12/28/2023

Long dog

12/28/2023

Pi in a tube. Khaji sleeping

12/12/2023

Windows blocked so that sunlight doesn't shine directly on the puppies and possibly damage their newly opening eyes

12/11/2023

Pups got nails done again today. This time with a Dremel. I used small human nail clippers the first time and just an Emery board the second time. I don't work on the back feet as much so their claws can dig in.

12/09/2023

I'm trying to get my back legs under me

12/06/2023

Pups are doing great. Smallest is now 11.7 oz and the largest is 16.7 oz

12/01/2023

Doubloon

02/10/2023

Like I said.... Risky (Phire x Simon)