Baby Sea Creatures

Will no longer be updating website.....winter project to launch new one and NOT on GoDaddy :)

                  Puppies!

They are growing in leaps and bounds. At 5 weeks the real fun begins!! Also, all the work I feel is necessary as foundation for the future starts in earnest now-social bonding with people and other animals,  building resiliency to loud noises & large things moving, interactive play for early recalls, little problem solving games, build drive and on/off settling switch, field trips for a variety of new expected & unexpected things, lots of handling of them and by strangers and also started housebreaking-they are asking to go out in the AM to Poop! :) not going in their sleeping area. I have been so busy with them and stuff...haven't had time to chronicle their adventures so far....

The last few days, their mama has decided it is time to wean them, which is her right. Until now, she has chosen to continue sleep with them too. The cord has been cut! C'ura has been an incredible first time Mom and at 4 1/2-Easy whelp, natural nurturer and just overall really seemed to love her pups-wanted to run & hang out with the group, but eagerly seeking to return to them, to check on them. 

A mature Mom, with a sense of herself really makes a difference in the pups, I think. C'ura is infectiously friendly, she has passed this trait to her babes. She is also a complete water baby AKA "the Red Fish", so the pups are named in her honor. The Boys: Ffin & Llyr. The Girls: Selkie & Ocean.

Last weekend at just 5 weeks, we took an hour drive to the beach-great little travelers! Hit the sand running and exploring, saying hi to strangers, a lot can happen in a  short time so don't ever want field trips/socialization to be too overwhelming-they rested in the car while the big dogs got to enjoy the surf.

The babes are also beginning metal bowl hockey! My fave for building drive, recovery to loud clangy noises, things that will eventually fly over their heads and bounce loudly and also tugging/retrieving something that isn't soft and has it's own temperature. It is a game I invented with pups, and seems to help with lots of things in life & sport. Really a simple game. Also, use metal whisks, large spoons, measuring cups, etc...if it's metal it is fair game. Whenever I can't find something in the kitchen, I realize it is in with the Pups. 

One week ago, they were just finding their feet. Now, they do low stairs, climbing and running on little planks (& dogwalks oh my!), tugging like fiends, friendly run to people babies, integrated in with my adults-so learning further canine social skills, starting to track toys in air, learning "sit", felt their first huge rainstorm (soggy pups), went to the ocean and met 50+ people in 2 days, yesterday another big field trip with hour drive each way-training center and running around. Lots of barking, new sights & sounds and no mama-they did great!!! Then while we trained they ate chicken feet in their xpen and didn't seem worried by the noise and activity (especially of the teeter). Video below.

Scream! who was accidentally rolled in playing, by an Aussie who shall remain nameless...has not trained in a couple weeks, he was spot on. Heat wave this week of 90-100F, has made any training hard...indoors in A/C is so nice! :) Worked entries on weaves, some handling/turning cues, one jump work with circling in front (me kneeling at stanchion end) for nice arc & rear engagement takeoff, flying dogwalk, perfect contacts-he is just a joy to work with. Started doing a little with C'ura at home-she did get to do some dockdiving into the lake last week, another few weeks and she will be ready to go back to training full-time. Have missed so many of the trials this summer. 

Tonight the pups are meeting up with friends and hitting a big field for some recalls & watching the big dogs practice disc. Finally,  some low humidity beautiful blue weather! Notice it is getting darker, just a few minutes earlier a day.... but 88F with 43 dew point & slight breeze and noticeable cooling down near dark,  perfect for a puppy field trip! Enjoying them while I can, soon they go home....