One of our puppies is going to a home with rabbits so we spent some time today introducing her to our rabbit. English Shepherds are normally very good with other animals, but they always must be introduced to new animals so that they know that the animal is part of their pack. Special care must be taken with chickens, rabbits and other small animals because their quick, unpredictable movements excite the herding instincts of the dog. They can learn what to herd and what not to herd with some patience and training, as well as to not use their teeth on smaller animals.
The first step toward introducing a rabbit to a dog is really just to let it get used to the smell and movement of the animal. All of our puppies have met Bunny through her cage, smelled her and nosed her through the cage. None of them showed any particular interest beyond curiousity so I knew we were ready for the next step. If a dog is intent on the rabbit or tries to break through the cage, it is not safe to go on to the next step. Instead, work with your puppy on "watch me" or some other command to get their attention. Work as close to the rabbit cage as possible while keeping the puppy's attention on you until you can reliably call the puppy's attention to you even while right next to the rabbit.
Since Layla only sniffed curiously through the cage, today I sat with Bunny in my lap to hold her still and protect her while Layla smelled her all over. I allowed her to sniff, lick and nudge the rabbit. She did not try to use her teeth, but if she had, I would have gently pulled her away by the scruff of her neck while saying, "Easy." This video is after I let the rabbit out of my lap and got the camera while my daughter supervised the two of them. You will see her pull Layla back when she gets the rabbit too excited. It would be good to accompany that with a gentle command, such as "easy."
After a few minutes, Layla began to lose interest in the rabbit and began to explore her new area.At least for a little while before she becomes a teensy bit insulted that Bunny ignores all her invitations to play. Layla is off to a pretty good start. With continued, supervised time together, the puppy will learn that even rabbits are to be protected rather than chased.
Next week, I will show how we introduce chickens to a new puppy, starting from the beginning. Let me know if you have any questions and I will do my best to answer them.
If you have any questions about the litter, their parents or are interested in a puppy, please contact us (the link will take you to a contact page on my personal blog).
Friday, November 2, 2012
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Our English Shepherd Puppies tackle the puppy agility course
Today we took the puppies out for a little playtime on a sort of of mini-agility course. We have a couple people from out of state looking at this litter, so we're hoping this will help them see a little of their personalities
Mira
Jay must be my little buddy. He leaves the fun and the treat when he gets close to me so he can come climb in my lap.
Fwirl
Tag
Matthieus
Kai
Tim
Tess
Mattimeo
Zane
Ariel
Layla
If you have any questions about the litter, their parents or are interested in a puppy, please contact us (the link will take you to a contact page on my personal blog).
Mira
Jay must be my little buddy. He leaves the fun and the treat when he gets close to me so he can come climb in my lap.
Fwirl
Tag
Matthieus
Kai
Tim
Tess
Mattimeo
Zane
Ariel
Layla
If you have any questions about the litter, their parents or are interested in a puppy, please contact us (the link will take you to a contact page on my personal blog).
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Introducing our litter of English Shepherd puppies
They weren't too sure about being put on a table for their puppy pictures, but here are some pictures of each of the puppies in our litter. When we tested the temperaments of the puppies, none of them were concerned with loud noises, sudden movements, being held on their backs or having the webbing of their paws pressed. They have been raised with children and are used to the sudden movements and sometimes awkward snuggles of our just-turned-two year old, being dressed by our five and seven year old and being wrestled with by our 9 year old.
Fwirl is an active girl, very curious and always ready to play. She comes bounding anytime we call the puppies, get in their play area or let them out to explore the property. She pays close attention to where her humans are and stays close by, waiting to see if something fun is about to happen.
Fwirl is reserved.
Tim is a little more laid back. He likes to watch what everyone else is doing, especially when all 11 of his littermates are charging after a new toy or a new person. He is very attentive, loves snuggles and is quite playful once he has a chance to watch what is going on.
Tim is reserved and heading to Denver!
Tag is an energetic and curious puppy. He is one of the first ones to come running when people visit and will climb right in your lap and offer his kisses. He loves a good game of fetch and keeps a close eye on where his people are and what they are doing.
Zane is a sweet, playful puppy who loves his snuggles as much as tugging on his rope bone. He also enjoys a good game of chase.
Tess is the most independent of the litter, despite her small size. She is curious and playful and likes energetic play and a bit of wrestling. Being one of the smallest, she has spent quite a bit of time dressed in old baby clothes and having tea in my daughters' room.
Tess has gone home to Wichita!
Mira is a sweet girl and is energetic and playful. When there's no one to pounce on, she'll entertain herself with short sprints ending in a roll or flipping her rope bone and chasing it. And she loves when we join her in her games or show her new ones.
Mira is reserved and heading to Missouri!
Ariel is the largest of the litter and generally the first to try every thing. She's very outgoing and loves meeting people, but is not pushy or dominant like the largest puppy can often be. She got her name from the white marking on her neck. When she was little, it looked like a mermaid. The pattern is still there, but not as defined as when she was smaller.
Matthieus is a very sweet, even-tempered dog. He's very focused on us and what we're doing and loves going for walks to explore our property.
Jay is a quick learner and very agile. He loves climbing, running and jumping. He is the alpha of our little litter, but tested very well for sociability and trainability.
Jay has found a home with the Sundance Ski Patrol and has begin his training to become an alpine rescue dog!
Kai is a sweet little puppy and the runt of the litter. Because of his small size since birth, he has received a lot of extra attention. We brought him out to nurse separately from the others and helped him find a teat when they were nursing together to make sure he was getting enough nutrition and gaining properly. The girls also like to dress him up alongside Tess and he doesn't even mind pink, so long as it comes with snuggles from his children. He's very outgoing, quite the snuggler and very attentive and curious.
Layla is a sweet little girl who loves her snuggles and her rope bone. She also tends to watch a little before joining in. She isn't the first to come running when new people come to visit, but she will warm up to you in a little bit.
She was the first one chosen and is going to a family friend.
Mattimeo is another snuggler. He stays close by on walks, always watches to see what is going on and will follow you anywhere for a good belly rub or scratch behind the ears.
Mattimeo went home to Omaha!
If you have any questions about the litter, their parents or are interested in a puppy, please contact us (the link will take you to a contact page on my personal blog).
Fwirl is an active girl, very curious and always ready to play. She comes bounding anytime we call the puppies, get in their play area or let them out to explore the property. She pays close attention to where her humans are and stays close by, waiting to see if something fun is about to happen.
Fwirl is reserved.
Tim is a little more laid back. He likes to watch what everyone else is doing, especially when all 11 of his littermates are charging after a new toy or a new person. He is very attentive, loves snuggles and is quite playful once he has a chance to watch what is going on.
Tim is reserved and heading to Denver!
Tag is an energetic and curious puppy. He is one of the first ones to come running when people visit and will climb right in your lap and offer his kisses. He loves a good game of fetch and keeps a close eye on where his people are and what they are doing.
Zane is a sweet, playful puppy who loves his snuggles as much as tugging on his rope bone. He also enjoys a good game of chase.
Tess is the most independent of the litter, despite her small size. She is curious and playful and likes energetic play and a bit of wrestling. Being one of the smallest, she has spent quite a bit of time dressed in old baby clothes and having tea in my daughters' room.
Tess has gone home to Wichita!
Mira is a sweet girl and is energetic and playful. When there's no one to pounce on, she'll entertain herself with short sprints ending in a roll or flipping her rope bone and chasing it. And she loves when we join her in her games or show her new ones.
Mira is reserved and heading to Missouri!
Ariel is the largest of the litter and generally the first to try every thing. She's very outgoing and loves meeting people, but is not pushy or dominant like the largest puppy can often be. She got her name from the white marking on her neck. When she was little, it looked like a mermaid. The pattern is still there, but not as defined as when she was smaller.
Matthieus is a very sweet, even-tempered dog. He's very focused on us and what we're doing and loves going for walks to explore our property.
Jay is a quick learner and very agile. He loves climbing, running and jumping. He is the alpha of our little litter, but tested very well for sociability and trainability.
Jay has found a home with the Sundance Ski Patrol and has begin his training to become an alpine rescue dog!
Kai is a sweet little puppy and the runt of the litter. Because of his small size since birth, he has received a lot of extra attention. We brought him out to nurse separately from the others and helped him find a teat when they were nursing together to make sure he was getting enough nutrition and gaining properly. The girls also like to dress him up alongside Tess and he doesn't even mind pink, so long as it comes with snuggles from his children. He's very outgoing, quite the snuggler and very attentive and curious.
Layla is a sweet little girl who loves her snuggles and her rope bone. She also tends to watch a little before joining in. She isn't the first to come running when new people come to visit, but she will warm up to you in a little bit.
She was the first one chosen and is going to a family friend.
Mattimeo is another snuggler. He stays close by on walks, always watches to see what is going on and will follow you anywhere for a good belly rub or scratch behind the ears.
Mattimeo went home to Omaha!
If you have any questions about the litter, their parents or are interested in a puppy, please contact us (the link will take you to a contact page on my personal blog).
Monday, October 29, 2012
King of the Hill, puppy style
Our English Shepherd puppies are seven weeks old and almost ready to go home. They also love their playground. All day long they get to race and climb and explore a variety of objects as we rotate them through their play area.
Today, Fwirl decides she is Queen of the Tire.
Layla comes over to check out Mira, who feigns disinterest.
Fwirl pounces and Mira sees her chance for a silent coup.
With no one paying attention, however, she decides to back out.
Mira goes off to practice a little spy action rolling under the seesaw. Jay sees his chance to become King of the Tire and hence King of the Playground.
Except maybe there is something more interesting over at the seesaw.
Or maybe all the fun really is back at the tire.
If you have any questions about the litter, their parents or are interested in a puppy, please contact us (the link will take you to a contact page on my personal blog).
Today, Fwirl decides she is Queen of the Tire.
Layla comes over to check out Mira, who feigns disinterest.
Fwirl pounces and Mira sees her chance for a silent coup.
With no one paying attention, however, she decides to back out.
Mira goes off to practice a little spy action rolling under the seesaw. Jay sees his chance to become King of the Tire and hence King of the Playground.
Except maybe there is something more interesting over at the seesaw.
Or maybe all the fun really is back at the tire.
If you have any questions about the litter, their parents or are interested in a puppy, please contact us (the link will take you to a contact page on my personal blog).
Friday, October 26, 2012
The English Shepherd puppies go for a walk
I took the puppies out for a walk today. All twelve of them. While I spent most of my time counting to twelve, they had a great time wrestling in the fallen leaves, exploring the barn and sniffing chickens through the fence. When Jay won a round of King of the Hill on top of the compost pile, I realized that I really should bring my camera on these excursions so I went in for it and more eyes to help watch.
There are all kinds of exciting things to smell under the rabbit hutch.
A nice game of Round and Round the Blackberry Bush.
And Jay discovers that the blackberry bush makes the perfect cover for stalking siblings.
Mom has them take a break for a little picnic lunch . . .
Some special playtime with mom . . .
And tries to get them to line up.
Timmy, their father, comes over for a visit.
And then it's back in their pen for a carrot.
Carrots make great chew sticks, by the way. They're great for those young chewers and you don't have to worry about what they swallow because carrots are a nutritious snack, as well!
If you have any questions about the litter, their parents or are interested in a puppy, please contact us (the link will take you to a contact page on my personal blog).
There are all kinds of exciting things to smell under the rabbit hutch.
A nice game of Round and Round the Blackberry Bush.
And Jay discovers that the blackberry bush makes the perfect cover for stalking siblings.
Mom has them take a break for a little picnic lunch . . .
Some special playtime with mom . . .
And tries to get them to line up.
Timmy, their father, comes over for a visit.
And then it's back in their pen for a carrot.
Carrots make great chew sticks, by the way. They're great for those young chewers and you don't have to worry about what they swallow because carrots are a nutritious snack, as well!
If you have any questions about the litter, their parents or are interested in a puppy, please contact us (the link will take you to a contact page on my personal blog).
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
The puppy playground
The puppies have a play yard outside their sleeping area they have access to most of the day. Here, they have a variety of toys to play with, objects to explore and surfaces to walk on.
Their playground includes a slide, a tunnel, a seesaw, a large wooden barn door, a tire and a wavy slide. This space gives them an opportunity to develop their muscles, enrich their minds and give them confidence as they are presented with new items and new challenges regularly. They have lots of playtime outside their play area, as well, but this space gives them a safe place to learn and explore even when we cannot watch them closely.
In this video, you'll see Fwirl take on the smaller slide and a little set back does not discourage her at all.
If you have any questions about our puppies or are interested in one, please feel free to contact us. (That link will take you to my personal blog.) We will be doing some temperament testing with them this weekend and they will be ready to go home the first week of November.
Their playground includes a slide, a tunnel, a seesaw, a large wooden barn door, a tire and a wavy slide. This space gives them an opportunity to develop their muscles, enrich their minds and give them confidence as they are presented with new items and new challenges regularly. They have lots of playtime outside their play area, as well, but this space gives them a safe place to learn and explore even when we cannot watch them closely.
In this video, you'll see Fwirl take on the smaller slide and a little set back does not discourage her at all.
If you have any questions about our puppies or are interested in one, please feel free to contact us. (That link will take you to my personal blog.) We will be doing some temperament testing with them this weekend and they will be ready to go home the first week of November.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Puppylog house-breaking
House-breaking is one of the harder things to teach a puppy. We are doing a prehouse-breaking training. What you do is split your room in thirds. The first portion is the bed, the second portion is an area where the puppies can go potty like dirt,the third is a plain space where they can play! How this works is that a puppy doesn't like to play or sleep in their own waste so they go in the dirt. Now this doesn't house-break them it only makes it easier to do so because they will prefer dirt to your floor!
Faithfull
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Puppylog
Puppy Pictures and Puppy Names!
Ariel
 |
| Ariel |
This is Ariel.
 |
| Ariel |
Can you see the mermaid?
 |
| Ariel |
She is one of the bigger puppies.
Fwirl
 |
| Fwirl |
Fwirl has full front leg white stockings!
Kai Jay Zane
 |
| Left Kai center Zane Right Jay |
Kai is one of the two smallest puppies.
 |
| Left Kai center Zane Right Jay |
Jay and Zane are one of the two biggest Puppies
Matthias, Cornflower, Mattimieo
 |
| Back Matthias Middle Cornflower front Mattimieo |
Cornflower is the first puppy to open an eye
Mira and Taggerung
 |
| Left Mira Right Tag |
Tag has some unique markings, similar to Fwirl!
Tim and Tess
 |
| Left Tim Right Tess |
Tim and Tess have similar spots on the back of their neck!
Puppy pile!!!
 |
| 2012 |
Faithfull
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)