Wednesday 7th Oct (Week seven): Very sad on Sunday to wave goodbye to baby Annabell, but pleased that she is starting her new life in Redcar, she will be well loved and cared for by Karen and Steve, and will hopefully do well in the obedience ring. As I feared (my puppies have appalling timing) all the pups had crashed by the time Karen turned up, so she really did not get chance to play with the pups. The reassuring thing is that when Karen and Steve arrived Annabell briefly woke up and was the puppy who trotted across the floor, tail wagging to climb all over Karen and lavish her with kisses before settling down on karen’s lap to sleep. The others all ignored the disruption in their sleep other then a brief visit to karen’s handbag to see what treats she had in her sweetie box. But Karen had seen enough and off they went after a quick cup of coffee and a natter. I was relieved to hear that they had got home safely and that the other dogs had taken to Annabell and that she was playing enthusiastically with Karen. It was a very strange feeling Sunday night putting the others to bed and being one short, the pen looked empty. But there was one benefit, next morning I found my shoes where I left them and did not have to go hunting to see where Annabell had hidden them.
The pen round the garden door has now been put back further up the garden as the pups where just escaping all the time anyway, but I am still a little nervous that they will find a way to escape.
Last night was funny, Richard and charlotte came in and when it was time to leave Richard had to spend ages gathering the escaping pups up as every time he got to the front door and opened it there was a puppy or four escaping outside…they move faster then us now! The poor cat has to knock to come in as the cat flap remands firmly closed. Play time with me, now has a element of training, we have introduced the down command, and action, with the tuggy in their mouths encourage the cantilever down. And the sit and a recall for sweeties and then a game. Haven’t worked on the scent or stays yet, Jo! But I want the puppies to enjoy playing with me, not just with their siblings. Richard and charlotte will often take a couple of puppies or three, next door to play, giving me a little time to play one to one (or one toy in each hand) with the other puppy/puppies. Pleased to say the play is getting stronger, although at one time I though the litter were duds as all they did was sleep when I had visitors!
Last time for weighing them, tonight, as by next week they will be too big for the scales and beside most of them will have left home. This weekend James (Chase) goes to his new home up north, Thomas (Drift)will leave the nest, during the week and then next Wednesday Jo will collect Edward (Chase) for the last time. Tonight she is taking him home again for a few hours, just hope she does not bring him back so hyper as Last week he was a ball of energy rushing around for several hours after he arrived home, instead of going to bed!
The pen round the garden door has now been put back further up the garden as the pups where just escaping all the time anyway, but I am still a little nervous that they will find a way to escape.
Last night was funny, Richard and charlotte came in and when it was time to leave Richard had to spend ages gathering the escaping pups up as every time he got to the front door and opened it there was a puppy or four escaping outside…they move faster then us now! The poor cat has to knock to come in as the cat flap remands firmly closed. Play time with me, now has a element of training, we have introduced the down command, and action, with the tuggy in their mouths encourage the cantilever down. And the sit and a recall for sweeties and then a game. Haven’t worked on the scent or stays yet, Jo! But I want the puppies to enjoy playing with me, not just with their siblings. Richard and charlotte will often take a couple of puppies or three, next door to play, giving me a little time to play one to one (or one toy in each hand) with the other puppy/puppies. Pleased to say the play is getting stronger, although at one time I though the litter were duds as all they did was sleep when I had visitors!
Last time for weighing them, tonight, as by next week they will be too big for the scales and beside most of them will have left home. This weekend James (Chase) goes to his new home up north, Thomas (Drift)will leave the nest, during the week and then next Wednesday Jo will collect Edward (Chase) for the last time. Tonight she is taking him home again for a few hours, just hope she does not bring him back so hyper as Last week he was a ball of energy rushing around for several hours after he arrived home, instead of going to bed!