Puppy antics make for a Merry Christmas

This will be short and sweet, but I’ll do another post in the next day or so to get links posted to Flickr photo albums for each week and to share some other information on what the pups have been up to.

The pups turned 7 weeks old on Christmas Day (yesterday).  They are almost completely weaned and are very active.  They’ve been having quite a few visitors and also made a trip to my office last week for our holiday Pizza party.  They were a hit!

We’ve been putting lots of new toys in with them.  We borrowed a Cato plank and tilt stand and the pups learned about tippy surfaces.  They were fearless and loved it!  Today we got a tiny bit of snow and the pups played in it for a few minutes before wearing themselves out zooming on the wet patio.

Here are some holiday photos.

Breena, Abby and Kasie

Probie, Jac, Jethro

Kate, Jenny, Ziva

History of the Portuguese Water Dog

 History of the Portuguese Water Dog

A really interesting article with photos.  If the article does not appear on your screen in English, scroll to the bottom and click on "EN" for the English translation.

Can't keep up!

Things are changing so fast with the pups that it's difficult to keep up!

The tunnel is a big hit!

Last week was the beginning of weaning them, starting with some baby food chicken/rice, rice cereal etc.  They also dine on puppy kibble soaked in formula so it is mushy and have at least one meal a day of raw meat patties.  They've had some canned salmon and pumpkin as mixers with their food also.

We bookmarked a recent link on diet and how it can be a factor in the development of allergy and skin problems in dogs.  We feel strongly that at least 20% (preferably more) of your dog's diet should be raw food.  We always wean our pups with around 30% of their dietary intake coming from raw and our adult dogs get at least 50% of their diet from raw foods.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211118203742.htm

Late last week, the pups moved from the back bedroom, where they've been since they were born, to the dining room area at the front of the house.  There is much more activity in the front area of the house and lots of new noises (coffee grinder, banging pots and pans, garage door opening etc)..  

Our 1st visit outside and a ramp to climb.

 Their new large area has a pellet filled litter box and they are doing a really good job learning to potty in the box instead of in the rest of their area.

The pups went on a card ride (to Starbucks and back) to get them used to this.  We have another outing planned for them in a few days which will involve another ride.

We had a rare mostly dry and sunny day last week and the pups had a short visit outside.  Jan laid a ramp from the door of their room down the short drop into the yard and they learned to use the ramp to go up and down, in addition to being out in the great outdoors for the first time.

The pups got a cat tunnel added to their pen yesterday.  It is a BIG hit!  They got several new big stuffed toys from the thrift store to snuggle and wrestle with.  They also have a small child's "piano" that plays songs and makes sounds when the keys are pressed.

Pups nap really soundly.  I took advantage of this to give them each a nail trim this weekend. Yesterday they had their first tiny experience with clippers, as I clipped a bit of hair away from the corner of their eyes to prevent build up of "eye boogers".  Since I caught them when they were sleepy both times, I was able to do these little chores by myself without having to enlist assistance.

 Registration paperwork and microchips arrived in the last week, so they are ready for when the time comes.

Our first car ride since our eyes and ears opened.

New centipede toy from the thrift store and a "piano" to play.

Our new living area and "big dog" food bowls.

Teeth! (And other milestones)

Puppies begin teething at around 3 weeks.  The pups will often mouth at and suck on your fingers when you interact with them and Breena and Jenny seem to have the most obvious tiny chompers so far.

Pups started lapping from a pan of formula on Tuesday this week and are getting more accomplished at this skill every day.  Usually when Kodi feeds them, we also offer a pan of formula either before (to take the edge off their hunger) or after (to top them off) Kodi nurses them.  Kodi is a small girl and we noticed last year that she transitioned to nursing her pups from a standing position sooner than our past girls have done.  She seems to know when they are strong enough and can reach her well enough, as all the pups are thriving with this new milk delivery method.

It is important for the pups to be exposed to many new experiences before they go to their homes.  We handle pups individually quite a lot so they enjoy being handled and stroked.  Within the next week we will move them into a room adjacent to our kitchen so they can hear more of the household noises (coffee grinder, blender, banging of pots and pans).  Without us really trying, they have already been on a number of different surfaces (plastic tarping, textured rubber mats, rubber stall mats, several types and depths of fleece, wood, carpet runner etc).  

The pups still start having more toys in their area in the next few days.  They’ve had a crinkly alligator and elephant toy in with them already, as well as a pink stuffed creature of some kind.  It was fun to watch them explore and interact with these new things.

Are you our Mommy?

Jethro gets some snuggles

Kasie has the bed to herself.

Jenny investigates the crinkly toy.

Ziva guarding the pink stuffy.

Probie gets some quality snuggle time.

Lots to be thankful for…

 Last week did NOT go according to plan and we had a very anxious and busy week nursing sick pups, as first Kodi and then the pups became sick with a virus.  

The pups enjoying Thanksgiving breakfast

When Kodi had a day of vomiting and loose stools, we thought it was due to a dietary indiscretion or overeating.  She recovered quickly.  

The following afternoon, Jan noticed immediately that there was strange white “stuff” in the whelping box and we realized that some of the pups were throwing up milk.  We have amazing support from our vet and she gave us directions for supportive care for the sick pups during this short lived virus.  As we identified sick pups, we would remove them from the group, doctor them for the 8-12 hours it took them to recover and then put them back with the group.  Altogether it took a bit over 24 hours until all the pups showed improvement and rotated through our little “hospital ward”.   

Probie and Ziva had a bath

Kodi’s milk supply was somewhat affected by her day of fasting, so we have been supplementing the pups a bit with formula as they catch back up.  We don’t usually have to supplement our litters and decided to try a technique for feeding the pups using a makeup sponge soaked in formula as an artificial nipple.  Pups do not have a gag reflex as newborns so it can be easy for them to aspirate.  This technique allows each pup to regulate their own intake and is quite safe.

Probie, Abby, Kate

Ziva

The pups are getting super cute.  They vocalize like tiny dogs with yips and howls now.  They can see (although still not terribly well) and hear.  They toddle around the slightly enlarged area we set up for them which now includes some potty pads and are even starting to display some play interactions with each other.

Jenny and Katie

Busy Days and Week One Puppy Photos

Week One puppy Photos 

Jenny

 We'll have more photos each week as the pups become more active and eyes and ears open. 

Eyes will begin to open at around 10-14 days. Several of the pups have eyes partially open as of last night. Ears begin to open at around 14-18 days. 

 Another milestone during their second week is for pups to double their weight by Day 10. Jethro, Kate, Jenny and Breena had already hit this milestone as of Day 8 and the others have now reached that mark as well. 

The pups are beginning to pull themselves partially up on their front legs. One of the pups walked across the box and back last night, albeit with jerky and uncoordinated movement. 

 We had a bit of a set back with some loose stools from the pups which has required dosing them with clavamox, an anti-diarrhea product called Bio Sponge and probiotics. We caught things quickly and all pups seem to be recovering and are gaining weight. We've been working overtime (with Kodi's assistance) to keep the pups and whelping box clean and warm. Kodi is meticulously clean and taking amazing care of her pups. 

 We have a long to-do list today. In addition to dosing the pups with their meds, they h

Jac or Ziva

ad a little sponge bath/rinse this morning and they will get another nail trim today. We will be removing Kodi's stitches and will give her a bath today or tomorrow.  Laundry is an ongoing puppy chore and Delta and Koll require grooming and entertainment too.  Never a dull moment!

The puppy with the white flag…

 “Outer beauty attracts, but inner beauty captivates.”  - Kate Angell

JoJo

In a litter of puppies we had years ago, there was a pup with a partial white tail.  People seemed very taken by the vision of what a beautiful flag she would have and coveted that pup.  Ironically, that pup was a fireball of a puppy, and one whose owners would have struggled in a home where she was not kept active.  She went to live in a home where she competed in agility, water work, tracking and other activities.  Her new owner found her a handful at first, but was able to give her the outlets she needed for them to both be happy.   Thanks Val Tangen for all the wonderful adventures you  enjoyed with JoJo (Lookout Wind and Rain and Fire VCD1, RA, CD, TD, CGC, AXJ, AX-P, WWD, GROM, MAC-3, C-ATCH 2, CT-ATCH 3).

Probie

When we have a litter of pups, we will chose the pup we think will be the best fit for your lifestyle.  We always ask those who are getting pups to share with us what their daily routines are like and what they are looking for in a dog.  

We spend many hours with our pups observing them, interacting with them and socializing them, so we have a good sense for each pups personality.

At seven weeks of age, the pups have a temperament test in a location that is new to them and with a person they have not met before.  This test often confirms what we had already been observing, but sometimes brings characteristics to our attention that we had not noted.

Jac’s chubby belly

At 8 weeks, an independent evaluator will examine the pups and look at their structure and how closely they conform to the standard for the breed in that regard.

The final 2 visits which allow us to chose which pup will likely be the best fit for you are their well puppy check and eye exam.  

Ten weeks is a long time to be patient and not know which pup might be coming home with you, but it is worth the wait.

Week One Puppy Routine - NCIS Litter (Decker x Kodi)

Heading to the vet for dewclaw removal

For the first two weeks of life, a puppy is considered a neonate. Born with his eyes and ears closed, he enters the world blind, deaf, and neurologically underdeveloped. At this early stage, there is almost no difference in brain activity between the time he is sleeping and the time when he’s awake. Studies have shown that handling and other interaction experienced during the neonatal period can lead to a quicker maturation of the nervous system and an enhanced development of motor and problem-solving skills.

Kodi is very comfortable with us handling the puppies, so we touch and stroke the puppies throughout the day.  Last night, each pup had a snuggle session with Jan and I as we watched NCIS (of course).

Beginning today and continuing through Day 16, we will include Early Neurological Stimulation as part of their daily routine. 

 Here is a link that discusses more about ENS: https://tinyurl.com/39u2pjdc

Weigh In Time for Abby

We weigh the pups morning and night to make sure they are growing and that none of the puppies are struggling.  Pups should hopefully double their birth weight by the time they are 10 days old. 

 Pups got their dewclaws removed yesterday.  There is some debate about whether it is good to remove dewclaws or not.  We have not had any noticeable ill effects with our pups regardless of whether we opt to remove them or not and we prefer it for ease of nail trimming and to prevent possible dew claw tearing/injuries.  This week, the pups will have first of many nail trims while they are with us to ensure they don't scratch Miss Kodi's tender tummy.  If my math is correct, that will be 144 tiny nails to trim each time...

Jethro - 1st pup to reach 1 pound.

We are cleaning the whelping box area and change bedding as needed.  Kodi gets her tail and rear legs rinsed/washed each day since there is always a bit of discharge in the days after whelping.  She keeps the pups spotless and well fed and is very careful and agile in not laying on any of her babies when getting in and out of the whelping box for potty breaks or meals.

Since I (Suzanne) am away at work most of the day Monday through Thursday, Jan gets to be the primary puppy care provider those days and also sleeps in the puppy room to tend to Kodi and the newborns if needed.  Jan is also by FAR the better puppy whelper of the two of us and we could not have puppies without him!

Jac using Ziva as a pillow

New Puppies! Decker x Kodi

Daddy Decker

Decker loved water work!

We are so excited to announce the arrival of 9 puppies (7 females, 2 males) on 11/6. Kodi did a wonderful job whelping the first 9 pups. Puppy number 10 was not to be, as it was an extreme breech delivery. We made a mad dash to the emergency vet on Sunday morning in the cold rain and a quick assessment revealed that an emergency c-section was needed. Kodi came through the procedure very well and was home with her babies by 11:00 AM. She did not miss a beat and went back to caring for her pups like there had never been an interruption. It's always so sad to lose a puppy, but we are VERY grateful to have our Kodi home safe and sound.

The sire of this litter is Am/Can/Int'l CH Stargazer's Hit the Deck CD AX AXJ RE CWDX, a handsome boy we owned some years ago who was that lovely combination of easy-going around the house and with people and other dogs and a driven performance dog. Decker reminded us a bit of the Labrador Retrievers that we had in the past in his zeal for retrieving and would literally retrieve until he dropped. Anyone playing ball with him needed to be coached to stop before Decker actually harmed himself due to overexercise and heat distress. This litter was sired by means of frozen semen.  Isn't technology grand?

Kodi is a water fanatic!

The letters on each side of Decker's registered name reflect that he is an AKC and CKC Champion, earned a Companion Dog obedience title and Rally Excellent title, earned his "Excellent" titles in AKC agility in both the jumpers and standard classes and had a Courier Water Dog Excellent title.

Kodi

Mama Kodi is Seaworthy's Lookout Here I Come TKN.  Her only title so far is a Novice Trick title, but she is actively training in Agility and Water Work and we plan to get back into competition with her once her maternity leave is over.  We had hoped to compete in conformation with her and earn an AKC Championship title.  Her small size (17.5 inches, 36 pounds) and different "look" compared to other females in the ring in our area makes it difficult to compete in this venue and, frankly, it is not our favorite area of canine competition.  We'll probably let our male puppy "Koll" and his sister "Penny Lane" (which we co-own) from Kodi's litter last year "represent" for her in the conformation ring.

You can find more information on Decker and Kodi on our website at https://www.lookoutpwd.com/decker-x-kodi

Keep checking here for lots of photos of the pups and what they are doing in the upcoming months before they go home.  I'll be posting links to a new photo album each week which will have photos of all the pups.  We always have a theme for our litter and these little guys are named after NCIS characters.

Mug Shots

Abby (Gold Metallic) and Jenny (Yellow)

Kodi with Ziva

Pile of Puppies

Wat-er You Waiting For?

 

Planning to get your pup swimming this summer?  Here are some things you can do to prep for the swim season while waiting for the water to warm up.  Lakes here in our area are getting reasonably warm, but rivers are still quite cold.

Get your dog used to wearing a canine life jacket.  Make sure the one you select fits your dog properly, offers good support and flotation and is adjusted comfortably.  If your dog is not a big fan of his new apparel, work to change his attitude by giving good treats when putting on the jacket, having him wear his jacket at meal times (for eager eaters) and playing fun games while he wears his jacket.  A life jacket can make newbie swimmers more confident and allow confident swimmers to focus more on brain work rather than staying afloat when learning new skills in the water.

Regardless of your swimming goals for your dog (just to have fun and for fitness or to work towards a title), try to develop a good play retrieve on land first.  Bringing a retrieving toy to the water with you can keep your dog focused on swimming and sticking with you and not running amok and disturbing others.  Chose a floating toy that you only play with interactively with your dog and put it away when you are not training with it so it has a high value for the dog.  Once your dog is excited about his toy and play retrieves in a low distraction environment, gradually take your game to an area where there is more distraction (in my house we move from indoors, to back patio/concrete, to back lawn (good smells in the grass) to the front of the house (cars passing by, neighbors gardening, people walking dogs).  After that, we might take the behavior “on the road” to the nearest park (with the pup on a long line for safety).

Koll modelling his life jacket.

You can also “shape” a more formal retrieve, and this is highly recommended if you want to pursue titles that involve retrieving skills (like water trials or obedience).  The Clicked Retriever by Lana Mitchell is one book that is a good option for training a retrieve.

Once the water warms up there are excellent suggestions on introducing your dog to swimming here:

http://talentedanimals.com/blog/helping-your-dog-learn-to-love-to-swim/

 If you are interested in entering your dog in water trials, here are some helpful resources:

PWDCA Resource Page

Video Examples of PWDCA Water Trial Exercises

If you are in the PNW and on Facebook, the PNWPWDC Facebook page is a good place to look for recommendations for training buddies in your area.

If you're in the PNW and would like to see what water trials are all about before you think about entering one, look for information on our regional Club’s summer events here: https://www.pnwpwdc.org/events/

 If you are in a different area of the US, you can search here to find a Regional Club in your area and see what Water Training/Trial resources are available.

Have fun!

Pushy Puppies

For any of you who are FB friends or follow me on Instagram, it may appear that 5 month old Koll is "Kalm, Kool and Kollected" most of the time.  He does spend a decent amount of time in that mode, but he can also be a Krazy, Kamikaze Kritter, ripping tiny holes in more than a few items of my clothing with his razor teeth or getting reports from my friend that puppy-sat him overnight on his ability to leap over a baby gate or scream in his kennel for several hours.  

 

Jan and I sometimes look at our darling puppy and then each other and say "we should send him back to his breeder".  We then laugh hysterically, since we ARE his breeders, and then keep slogging away to teach him to be a better citizen of our house and the world.

I find that often when Koll is being a pest, there is some little change we can make to improve the situation.  If we can figure out  out why he is acting the way he is it can make it easier to devise a plan for how to respond to his naughty behavior. 

 

One recent evening, Koll was being irritating, body-slamming the other dogs and barking and ricocheting off the furniture.  Doggy dinnertime was approaching and Delta often starts getting a bit "busy" as the magic hour approaches.  Her excitement and moving around got the puppy all fired up.  I took him into the kitchen with me (we've currently got the living room gated off from the rest of the house until the pup is older and more civilized) and the clever little guy hopped onto his Cato board (a raised platform for dog training).  We've been using the Cato board to teach him a "place" behavior.  I immediately rewarded his going to his place (even though I had not asked for it).  He laid there calmly and watched while I cooked dinner for the human members of the pack and every few minutes I would give him a tiny treat.  This was a huge WIN for both of us! 

Another common reason for Koll to be a pest is because he has not had enough entertainment (training or exercise or both...).  This means that I need to get my butt off the couch, gather some training treats and think of some things to work on with him and do some training.  We'll train for 10 minutes or so and then usually cap off the session with a game of retrieving or tug.

 

Overtired puppies are also monsters sometimes.  If you think that might be the case, confine the beast in some way (using a tether, leash, crate etc) and you may find he drops right off to sleep after a short period of complaining.

The photo below has some excellent suggestions for other ways to engage and enrich your pups environment.

 

 Something else that bears reminding is that being a positive trainer and striving for positive interactions with your pup does not mean you should be permissive.  Set rules for your pup and stick with them, even when it is easier to give in to buy momentary peace.  Programs like Sue Ailsby's Leading the Dance are great to revisit when you find your puppy or dog's manners beginning to slide.

Susan Garrett has a book "Ruff Love" that outlines a program that can help getting your relationship with your dog in better order.  Here is a blog entry of Susan's from early last year that touches a bit on this program.  https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/05/ruff-love-tater/

 

Hang in there people with puppies!  Working through puppy challenges and overcoming them is what will ultimately make your pup the best companion you could want and the envy of all your friends. 

Happy New Year!

Knoll (was Humphrey) offering his thoughts for the New Year

Pups from the “Smoke” litter have all checked in via email within the last few weeks and are all settling into their new homes and making their presence felt.  

As someone noted, in some of the materials that we give out with the pups, there is a tongue in cheek breed description which mentions that they are “brawlers by nature”.  This description was actually in the standard for the breed at one point.  These days, their brawling is most obvious in their tendency to a rough and boisterous play style, but it does speak to their strength of character and forceful nature.  Historically, fisherman needed a dog with a pushy and robust nature as their tough and demanding job required it of them.

Raising a PWD pup with what we consider to be a correct temperament can be challenging even in the best of times.  Raising a PWD puppy during a pandemic can be even tougher, as owners and pups rarely have a break from each other.  Those of you working from home, or with family members working from home, need down time from constantly minding your pup in order to focus on work.

If you or family members need quiet time, do not be afraid to crate or pen your pup for several hours at a time in a distant area of the house where puppy noises will not interrupt you.  When Jan and I were both working, our pups were confined in a 4 x 4 ex pen from 7:45 AM to Noon while we were away at work.  I would run home for lunch and let pup out, then potty walk and entertain the pup for about 40-45 minutes.  After that, it was back in the pen (with lunch stuffed into a Kong or similar) for another few hours until Jan arrived home from work.  

Another thought for a belated Christmas gift for those of you struggling with noise distractions: noise canceling headphones.  😊

Do you have a challenging pup?  Hang in there, they will be worth all the work you are putting in.

Below are a few useful or interesting links.

Whiplash Turns with The Name Game by Rewarded Behavior Continues

National Purebred Dog Day entry about the PWD

A free 7-day trail is available for this puppy training resource:

https://www.oneminddogs.com/online-puppy-training/

The NY Times archive has several fascinating historical stories on the PWD.  Someone posted this one the other day:

https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/21/nyregion/long-islanders-rescuing-a-rare-breed.html