Monday 26 November 2012

Weaning well now

Well, Have you tried taking pictures of puppies. :)
They do make me laugh as they jump and squeal at sudden noises and to get this photo I knelt down by the barrier to their pen and they all jumped as I stood up. Soooo funny.
They are starting to get very hairy now and at last they are starting to eat solid food as opposed to relying on Toffee's milk.
Toffee is spending less and less time with them and who can blame her with those sharp teeth and claws.

Like everyone else we are surrounded by water. I am trying to put the horses hay at higher ground so they aren't stood in water all day. My boys are being very good at helping with the hay. Well they are their horses and they should shoulder some of the responsibility.

Phoebe continues to do very well. She is very keen as she took hold of a pheasant's leg (unattached from it's dead body) and shot, like lightening behind a unit and could I get her out?.
I gave the rest of the bird to my other dogs and none were nearly as keen as her.
Perhaps she will prove to be a good ratter :) That would be a great help as there are quite a number around as I think the raising water levels are pushing them to higher ground. They usually make an appearance ready for winter so I am always prepared.

Thursday 22 November 2012

4 weeks old

Just about on their feet as they wobble rather than walk. Their legs get stronger by the day. Eyes and ears are open. I know they can hear as they squeal and jump at any sudden noise. They are of course getting used to family life which will set them up well for their forward life.

Phoebe, our gorgeous Rotti has settled in fantastically well. She is in the crate in our family room as she is going to be a house dog. This is good for me as I am for ever advising people about having a puppy and how to avoid having their homes chewed whilst still taking care of the puppy and training it well.

My very, very first job in the morning is to open her crate and take her straight out side to relieve herself. She gets to play with my other dogs then too. I feed her her meals in the crate where she has water at all times too. She comes out several more times a day and always outside first. I usually go out with her and once she has done number 2 I do some training with her. Either inside or out on the yard.
In her crate she has her bowls, bed and lots to play with. There are socks tied to the sides, ropes hanging from the to , a piece of coal and a paint brush.
She may wine a little at times but soon stops when she realises no one is listening.
My boys are really enjoying having her and are helping with the training too which can only benefit her.
She has had her second injection today so we are off to puppy training. Ill let you know how she gets on.

Tuesday 6 November 2012

11 days old already!

Doing very well. They are all looking healthy and well hydrated. Toffee is eating like a horse but look how fantastic these puppies appear. Eyes and ears should open in the next couple of days or so.
Their coats are starting to break as they will have very hairy mop type coats when a little older as they are cockerpoos.
Toffee is very relaxed with the steady flow of human visitors but she will not let our other dogs visit yet. Much to Gemma and Pippa's disappointment.

Our guard dog !!

Meet Phoebe. She is 7 weeks old and gorgeous. We collected her on Friday and she has settled very well. She has learned her name, comes when called and can sit on command. Ok! we have a long way to go but she is off to a great start. My boys are all working well and enjoying her too. We are going to take her puppy training, starting as soon as she has had her second injection.