Crisp, cool morning and the dog family stays close.
Ok, so I’m going to brag about my own puppy. This is the quickest, brightest girl with the sunniest personality I have had in I don’t know when. I really missed out by not taking one of the Wally/Hannah pups last time. But I’m glad that I waited . . .
Opal news from Ruth Mary:
Opal and very large new friend.
Opal has had an exciting week. She met Dr. Michelle who thought she was a delight and healthy in every way. When we went to pay our bill we met this borzoi. At first I was careful to restrain her, but the owner said she thought it would be fine to let them closer. It was sweet. Our girl is a bold one. The next thing that happened was that someone came through the office with a mop. Opal chased and then jumped onto it! She had the whole office in an uproar. They thought she could become a skateboard dog.
Today we went and had a private session with Sandy Self. Sandy is the best trainer I have ever worked with and she has Pems. She adored Opal. Opal can sit, do a down (which is hilarious because sometimes she leaps into the air before hitting the floor) and does well on a leash. I was concerned about her love of rocks. Sandy suggested I coat some rocks with bitter apple, but for the best effect make sure Opal tastes some of it first. We will start puppy classes when Opal’s shots are complete. The biting had become an issue. We solved it.
I almost called you last week because Opal will not let me tape her ears. She can get the tape off in seconds. I went back to the vet and had her fitted for a collar. I wait until she is asleep in the evening. She is such a lamb then that I have no trouble taping her ears and putting on the collar. I carry her to her crate and she sleeps the night. This is working. They aren’t perfect, but so improved !
Time to get busy with that training, Kady!
LOL. Now you know why I was so excited to repeat the breeding. The personalities on the Wally/Hannah pups can’t be beat!
Summer is surprisingly a little spitfire. More dominant than Greta. She was so quiet when the other puppies were around, but now her true nature has revealed itself. She’s smart and opinionated for sure.
I have to laugh at Ruth Mary’s comments about the tape. Summer is also an ear tape Houdini. I was taping her at night and every morning the tape was gone. Even duct tape! I thought maybe Greta was pulling it off, but she gets it off even when she’s by herself! Summer still has one ear that is being stubborn. The other is up pretty good. Easier than Greta’s were, by far, but Summer HATES being taped. Sounds like Opal is the same way.
Yep, the Hannah/Wally combination seems to make for dynamite personalities. Sage is a sweet, affectionate, happy bubbly dog – and was also really quick to learn the basics as a young puppy.
His love of eating rocks, and now dirt clods, is definitely on the way- above-normal scale and Bitter Apple really doesn’t do much to dissuade him. He’s smart enough to know that they don’t all taste like that. Believe me, I do wish it had worked!
I found that taking a toy outside with me and presenting it to him when he starts to look for rocks to chew seems to work best. Diversion, rather than a negative experience, has always worked much better.
I’m glad rosie’s not the only one that is having tricks with th tape they are no longer floppy but now stick out to the sides I will have to send a picture, I will try taping her every night to see if that helps. Rosie is a smart cookie too she already knows the sit comand and the sit up command, I think she will be a star pupil when she gets into her puppy classes.
These are great puppies, all right. Hiro is such a good puppy. He has such an even temperament and happy personality. Jamie says he’s the best-behaved puppy he’s ever had. I think he’s pretty smart too.
All I can say is that we love our Captain. He is a blast and a cuddler. You can’t help not to stay mad at him. Can’t wait until we try another big get together. Should start talking about Bandon next summer and see who all is up for it.