A little about the training plan

I thought it would be nice to share a little bit about the early training and work we are doing with this litter. 

The early enrichment/learning ideas come from a few different sources.  Some of the things we are doing are my own ideas, while others come from experts such as Kay Laurence and Suzanne Clothier who have shared through books and/or lectures some of the things they do with their own puppies.  This information is invaluable.  I read everything I can in trying to come up with safe, positive ways to expose the puppies to many things in a way that is interesting and fun for them rather than overwhelming or frightening.

The early scentwork games as well as the interactive games that help us determine which puppies are more persistent, bold and outgoing almost completely come from my mentor in Dachshunds, Sharon Carr of Carrdox Dachshunds.  Sharon has been field trialing with her Dachshunds for many, many years producing a slew of field champions including multiple absolute winning dogs and nationally ranked dogs.  Over the years, Sharon has added more and more elements to the early training and then ongoing training to the point where she can pretty successfully determine who will be the most successful field dogs and to mold those that aren't as naturally good at it, into successful field dogs. 

Sue and I are both fortunate to have Sharon has a mentor.  She is invaluable and has the very unique ability to teach you, guide you and then, step back and let you start to think for yourself while always remaining right there to help. 

Blueberry is first out of the box!

I just got a report from Sue that Blueberry, one of the boys was the first to leave the whelping box on his own.  Based on my initial work with him with first exposure to toys, rabbit pelt and scent, I am not surprised!

Mama Neena says, "you just hold it right there Mister Man!"

Here is Green Bean playing with a toy!  Very hard to look past this guy.  He is so stunning!

Three weeks old today

Neena's puppies are 3 weeks old today and they  are doing great!!  All chunky and healthy and shiny.  Now that their eyes are open and they are moving around we can start with some very early learning, enrichment and exposure.  Today, we got some new identifier yarn collars on them again (Neena had already removed the rick rack ribbons we had originally put on) and we introduced them to several toys.  It was so fun to watch them and see how they reacted to and interacted with the toys:

Next, I introduced a piece of rabbit fur to them and drug it around the whelping box.  Several puppies showed interest and followed it around, then I added some very diluted rabbit scent to the pelt and drug it around with that:

Here is a video of the puppies first real play with toys, notice how some of the puppies are already grabbing and carrying the toys:

 

Here is a video of the puppies interacting with the toys and pelt for the first time:

 

In addition to the toy and pelt work, we also took them on a field trip to the kitchen!!  We put down a pad and brought them in and put them on the pad.  They were free to hang out on the pad, or explore.  Blueberry (blue ribbon puppy) ventured off.  Rainbow Brite (the rainbow ribbon puppy) quickly climbed off too.  Eventually, they all came over to me and snuggled up under my arms (I was lying on the floor). 

The babies!

I went and saw Neena and the puppies today. They are all doing great and look great. The puppies are eating well and content and Neena is taking such good care of them. They all look shiny and clean and perfect:)

There are two boys and I pretty sure which one Rick will be taking. I did a quick eval and really like the litter. The boy I like is long, has great rear angles, nice ribbing and great length of neck. People always think it's crazy that I grade them when they are born, but my picks always remain the same. It's really not that hard to pick when you know what you are looking for and what you want.

All in all, it's a beautiful litter.

Neena and the babies are home

Neena and the babies are home. I did not talk to Sue (she was exhausted so I didn't want to keep calling) but she texted me that Neena is okay and sent me a picture of Neena and the babies. All is well. More soon...

Come on Neena, please be okay...

The puppies have arrived via c-section. Neena had 6 puppies. Because 5 were in one horn and 1 in the other, there was way too much pressure and she couldn't deliver them naturally. When they cut her open to do the c-section, the side with 5 burst and then they had to go and take the one from the other horn. Neena lost a lot of blood. She made need a transfusion, but we don't know yet. I am waiting to hear she is okay. The puppies are doing well, but Neena is not yet out of the woods....

A Bit of a Snag

Last night, after I taught classes at the kennel I went in to see Neena. She looked great and was starting to have some contractions. It looked like it would be a while so I decided to go home. Sue promised to call or text when the puppies were born. I got up this morning with no text, which surprised me. I texted Sue to find what was happening. She was at the emergency clinic with Neena who contracted all night but produced no puppy. They did an x-ray and everything looks good. Sounds like uterine inertia. She is getting fluids including some oxytocin. If no puppy soon, she will have a c-section. She is good hands. Sue is with her. Stay tuned....