ATB
Welcome to the ATB blog "J & A's Brittanys" where we love to write about, share stories, post videos and pictures featuring our beautiful, well bred Brittany family bird dogs. With their established and recognized hunting heritage our dogs also measure up to the breed standard regarding health, appearance, movement, and temperament. Enjoy the stories of whelping puppies, tips on field training, bragging rights on accomplishments, sharing joys and sorrow, announcements and as the name implies - ALL THINGS BRITTANY! With a love of God, family, friends, and dog we welcome you.
Friday, July 31, 2009
As The Saying Goes...
No time to say hello goodbye I'm late! I'm late! I'm late! We will update the blog earlier next week. Getting ready for the 5th Annual Central Maine Brittany Club day, confirming RSVPS, and looking forward to a wonderful weekend. Will share a full report on Monday and BTW, "Sir Cooper if you are free this weekend - we'd love to have you."
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Early Summer Morning Reflections (?!)
Good morning and what a beautiful summer morning it is! But here in Acton it's also extremely noisy. I'm not sure what is going on but their is a huge piece of equipment heading down our neighbors driveway, which abuts the entire length of ours. It's noisy, squeaky, and rattly and all of our dogs are going NUTS! Jack and Pippin are in the house this morning and Jack, who is USUALLY very soft spoken, is demonstrating his deep deep baritone barking capabilities. And Pippin - who is always full of vim and vigor - is equally excited. Several attempts to hollar at the dogs outside has failed, and I'm about ready to resort to kenneling J & P! NICE way to wake up and it's not even 7 am. BUT! I suppose - I must concede especially as last night Treasure, Rosie, Molly, Scooby, and Wish all performed an early morning primeval canine howl. It lasts all of 1 - 2 minutes but I'm sure we were being cursed loudly by the few neighbors we have. They are good for a daily howl but usually it is during the daytime, and most often my appearance on the back deck will bring things to a close. Fortunately - we do have wonderful neighbors who have either horses or dog(s). At any given time it could be Brittanys, Dobermans, Rotties, or a Lab letting SOMEONE know there is something not quite right (at least in their minds) in the neighborhood! Then there are times another neighbors horse or pony may get loose and run amuck - it's pretty lively then too - and hysterically funny (to me anyway). Anyway, I think our neighbors are putting in a pond.
Speaking of early mornings.... few things compare to when John and I lived in Eliot and raised a few pigs with our friends. Yes I said pigs! One lovely early morning summer, much like this one today I was alerted to the sound of a magnified voice through a speakerphone, coming from outside in the road. I stumbled to the kitchen window to find about 5 pigs in the middle of the road (a heavily traveled road) surrounded on either side by the local police. Evidently Wilbur and his friends decided to escape for a midnight rendezvous. Oh my gosh - if I wasn't so mad I would have laughed myself silly! Of course John had left for work before daylight and our kids were still sleeping in bed. Our Brittany Hunter, was peering over the back of the couch looking out the window observing it all. I scrambled down to the barn and quickly filled a bucket with grain and walked out into the middle of the road acting fairly calm, cool, and collected (which I was not!). Shaking the grain to attract the pig's attention I called "Here Piggie piggie piggie! Come Piggie piggie piggie!" GRUNT... SNORT... look out !!! It's a piggie stampede!!! I was younger and faster and ran through the driveway, down over the hill, and into the barnyard.... That was then, and this is now. It makes for a good story for a summer morning, don't you think?! And it's still good for a laugh when we get together with our old neighbors. We're not kidding when we say we've always had animals of one kind or another. When our milking goats were due to kid, I'd walk up to the elementary school with a note for the teachers to excuse John and Maryann so they could come home and watch the babies arrive. And then there was the time a lamb was born that we thought would die, we brought her up into the house and called the vet for a 2 a.m. visit. Our whole family nursed that little bugger back to health, and she was rightly named "Miracle".
By the way, I really wanted to use an appropriate sketch for this blog post, but I am sensitive to copyrite protection. So just check out the print that I discovered which REALLY goes along with my pig story - it is called A Sunny Swinging Pig Chasing Day, from the collection of Ed Rowles. As newsletter editor and also having the blogs and website, I like to google certain topics. I was delighted to find that link. But I also don't want to to get sued for copying original artwork!
Looking forward to the Brittany club Fun Day this weekend and seeing many of YOU here!
Love and God bless you from All Things Brittany.
Speaking of early mornings.... few things compare to when John and I lived in Eliot and raised a few pigs with our friends. Yes I said pigs! One lovely early morning summer, much like this one today I was alerted to the sound of a magnified voice through a speakerphone, coming from outside in the road. I stumbled to the kitchen window to find about 5 pigs in the middle of the road (a heavily traveled road) surrounded on either side by the local police. Evidently Wilbur and his friends decided to escape for a midnight rendezvous. Oh my gosh - if I wasn't so mad I would have laughed myself silly! Of course John had left for work before daylight and our kids were still sleeping in bed. Our Brittany Hunter, was peering over the back of the couch looking out the window observing it all. I scrambled down to the barn and quickly filled a bucket with grain and walked out into the middle of the road acting fairly calm, cool, and collected (which I was not!). Shaking the grain to attract the pig's attention I called "Here Piggie piggie piggie! Come Piggie piggie piggie!" GRUNT... SNORT... look out !!! It's a piggie stampede!!! I was younger and faster and ran through the driveway, down over the hill, and into the barnyard.... That was then, and this is now. It makes for a good story for a summer morning, don't you think?! And it's still good for a laugh when we get together with our old neighbors. We're not kidding when we say we've always had animals of one kind or another. When our milking goats were due to kid, I'd walk up to the elementary school with a note for the teachers to excuse John and Maryann so they could come home and watch the babies arrive. And then there was the time a lamb was born that we thought would die, we brought her up into the house and called the vet for a 2 a.m. visit. Our whole family nursed that little bugger back to health, and she was rightly named "Miracle".
By the way, I really wanted to use an appropriate sketch for this blog post, but I am sensitive to copyrite protection. So just check out the print that I discovered which REALLY goes along with my pig story - it is called A Sunny Swinging Pig Chasing Day, from the collection of Ed Rowles. As newsletter editor and also having the blogs and website, I like to google certain topics. I was delighted to find that link. But I also don't want to to get sued for copying original artwork!
Looking forward to the Brittany club Fun Day this weekend and seeing many of YOU here!
Love and God bless you from All Things Brittany.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
We're Back !
I can hardly believe the transformation in George and Martha. I always say the biggest change occurs at 4 weeks and at times it actually seems to be overnight! As you can see by the pictures they are both little piggies due to the sheer number of pups. I started to wean them much earlier than usual in hopes of getting them more mobile and active, enabling them to burn more calories. In addition to this I had been increasing their physical stimulation especially with their back legs. It all paid off in a matter of 72 hours because their coordination, gait, and strength is more than I could ask for. Their sweet little personalities are beginning to emerge. Georgie likes to observe what's going on around, get a feel for the situation and then he'll dive in. Martha is completely opposite - she dives in first thing no matter what! They are so funny to watch!
They are on a structured weaning schedule now. Two of their meals are moistened puppy chow, put down for them for a certain timeframe. One of their meals is a planned nursing time with Wish, and the other one a little more flexible as she overnights with them. They have teeth and she is not so lenient with letting them just belly up to the bar anymore! Speaking of teeth, they are both enjoying how to learn to carry puppy size nylabones. This is for the benefit of their new owners. Teething and mouthing are part of puppyhood and it's been our experience that you must have many things handy to substitute for human body parts and clothes and other unchewable items! Nylabones and Kongs never fail to help during this period. They both are holding the nylabones for brief seconds in their mouths. I have also started to teach them to 'follow'... very informally but it's important for them to learn to follow humans early on. Makes for easier leash training, heel, etc.
Have made some changes to the whelping box, trying something a bit new. We have a dozen or so whelping size indoor/outdoor carpets which we rotate. Typically we take the old one out, disinfect it, rinse well, hang in the sun and use again or put away for future use. Our friends Jim and Julie also provide us with ends of unprinted newspaper rolls so I don't have to deal with newsprint. I've not been happy with using the carpet this time around though - with the weather being what it is - Wish would always come back in soaked, and get the pups and the carpet wet so it just wasn't working out. I took the top off of a small puppy crate and lined the bottom with puppy blankets and soft toys . I set this new 'nest' inside the whelping box which I then filled and lined with shavings. In the area where pups were relieving themselves, I laid an extra layer of unprinted newspapers. This is working out so much better, everyone is dry and clean plus it smells so fresh. It's not too hard to keep two pups clean anyway - but with the dampness etc. this is perfect.
Today pups heard muffled lawn mower, barking dogs, a floor fan, and were introduced to JackDog! I'm happy that all reactions were very positive. Definitely an awareness of all that is new, but no fears. I will confess that the first time George was on the floor near their whelping box, he hid under the couch and wouldn't come out! I think Martha intimidated him with her running from one end of the room to the other - he was not quite as agile as she was a few days ago.
They are now spending most of the day up in the house with me now to get use to normal everyday sounds in a home. They do enjoy the big wicker dog bed but they get lost in it! They sleep 95% of the time - but that 5% - LOOK OUT! They are out to conquer the world!
Martha had enjoyed biting her brothers ears and making him squeal. But today - it was pay back. He decided to be the one doing the biting and she didn't know what to think! They are a riot to watch. I just sit and laugh and laugh, they are so funny. We obviously missed uploading the 3 week photos so I'm sure you are going to see quite a change in our little ones!
I am uploading a video taken today to YouTube and will either post here or send out. Pam and Sam were attacked by the same computer virus that we had here and still don't have things resolved. We spoke briefly today and I'm looking forward to an enjoyable conversation tomorrow. Lili has sent me a list of names to consider for Martha and I've let her know which ones I like the best. I am now in full-time puppy caregiver mode and have very little time available for much else. But these weeks pass all too quickly and truly it seems as if I just live for these moments with Brittany babies. Not to say any of our ATB family is overlooked at all when we have puppies. They are all extremely interested when there are new pups and we have surrogate big sisters, aunts, and uncles who play an important role in the socializing.
This week the pups will be exposed to even more situations, surfaces, sounds, sights, smells you name it! And I love that when they wake up and know I'm there, those little tails just about wiggle themselves off, and I've started to get those cute little woofs of recognition. My favorite thing of all is taking each pup - one by one - and laying down with them snuggling under my chin. They fall asleep there. If they happen to wake up briefly, I am blessed with their sweet sweet kisses and that intoxicating puppy breath! I think having a small number of pups is harder for many reasons - and one of them is how deeply you fall in love with them!
Well I am watching the minutes pass by and see that the video is almost uploaded. The camera I use to take them is just an inexpensive point/shoot digital camera with a video feature - but it works!
As always, thank you for your interest in All Things Brittany and God Bless you!
John and Ann and our canine crew
They are on a structured weaning schedule now. Two of their meals are moistened puppy chow, put down for them for a certain timeframe. One of their meals is a planned nursing time with Wish, and the other one a little more flexible as she overnights with them. They have teeth and she is not so lenient with letting them just belly up to the bar anymore! Speaking of teeth, they are both enjoying how to learn to carry puppy size nylabones. This is for the benefit of their new owners. Teething and mouthing are part of puppyhood and it's been our experience that you must have many things handy to substitute for human body parts and clothes and other unchewable items! Nylabones and Kongs never fail to help during this period. They both are holding the nylabones for brief seconds in their mouths. I have also started to teach them to 'follow'... very informally but it's important for them to learn to follow humans early on. Makes for easier leash training, heel, etc.
Have made some changes to the whelping box, trying something a bit new. We have a dozen or so whelping size indoor/outdoor carpets which we rotate. Typically we take the old one out, disinfect it, rinse well, hang in the sun and use again or put away for future use. Our friends Jim and Julie also provide us with ends of unprinted newspaper rolls so I don't have to deal with newsprint. I've not been happy with using the carpet this time around though - with the weather being what it is - Wish would always come back in soaked, and get the pups and the carpet wet so it just wasn't working out. I took the top off of a small puppy crate and lined the bottom with puppy blankets and soft toys . I set this new 'nest' inside the whelping box which I then filled and lined with shavings. In the area where pups were relieving themselves, I laid an extra layer of unprinted newspapers. This is working out so much better, everyone is dry and clean plus it smells so fresh. It's not too hard to keep two pups clean anyway - but with the dampness etc. this is perfect.
Today pups heard muffled lawn mower, barking dogs, a floor fan, and were introduced to JackDog! I'm happy that all reactions were very positive. Definitely an awareness of all that is new, but no fears. I will confess that the first time George was on the floor near their whelping box, he hid under the couch and wouldn't come out! I think Martha intimidated him with her running from one end of the room to the other - he was not quite as agile as she was a few days ago.
They are now spending most of the day up in the house with me now to get use to normal everyday sounds in a home. They do enjoy the big wicker dog bed but they get lost in it! They sleep 95% of the time - but that 5% - LOOK OUT! They are out to conquer the world!
Martha had enjoyed biting her brothers ears and making him squeal. But today - it was pay back. He decided to be the one doing the biting and she didn't know what to think! They are a riot to watch. I just sit and laugh and laugh, they are so funny. We obviously missed uploading the 3 week photos so I'm sure you are going to see quite a change in our little ones!
I am uploading a video taken today to YouTube and will either post here or send out. Pam and Sam were attacked by the same computer virus that we had here and still don't have things resolved. We spoke briefly today and I'm looking forward to an enjoyable conversation tomorrow. Lili has sent me a list of names to consider for Martha and I've let her know which ones I like the best. I am now in full-time puppy caregiver mode and have very little time available for much else. But these weeks pass all too quickly and truly it seems as if I just live for these moments with Brittany babies. Not to say any of our ATB family is overlooked at all when we have puppies. They are all extremely interested when there are new pups and we have surrogate big sisters, aunts, and uncles who play an important role in the socializing.
This week the pups will be exposed to even more situations, surfaces, sounds, sights, smells you name it! And I love that when they wake up and know I'm there, those little tails just about wiggle themselves off, and I've started to get those cute little woofs of recognition. My favorite thing of all is taking each pup - one by one - and laying down with them snuggling under my chin. They fall asleep there. If they happen to wake up briefly, I am blessed with their sweet sweet kisses and that intoxicating puppy breath! I think having a small number of pups is harder for many reasons - and one of them is how deeply you fall in love with them!
Well I am watching the minutes pass by and see that the video is almost uploaded. The camera I use to take them is just an inexpensive point/shoot digital camera with a video feature - but it works!
As always, thank you for your interest in All Things Brittany and God Bless you!
John and Ann and our canine crew
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Saturday A.M. Update
Good morning! Just a quick update on George and Martha who will turn 3 weeks old tomorrow... Both pups are responding to movement and sound quite well. They watch everything that's going on around them and every day their reactions are more deliberate. They are aware of when someone approaches now and will move towards the movement they see. The cutest of all is when they interact and play with each other, they will woof and vocalize together. At this early stage it appears that George has a personality similar to his 1/2 brother, Jack which simply means nothing bothers him much, he's happy go lucky and content to let the world go on around him. Martha on the other hand in comparison is very interested in everything and has to check out all nooks, corners, crivices, cracks, crumbs you name it ! Females are very often the ones who stand out first even in a large litter and the boys tend to come along at their own speed (sounds like humans, huh?! LOL) Yesterday they were introduced to 'gruel' for the first time. After having been separated from Wish for a few hours I offered moist and mushed puppy food to them from my fingers. They eagerly lapped it up and it didn't take long for the next step when I offered it to them in a small dish. We will repeat this a few times each day in the beginning and then progress to full weaning. I am a believer in keeping mom and pups together as long as possible and will rely on Wish to help with the weaning process as the pups teeth come in. My goal is to have them eating puppy food and off of their mother's milk as soon as possible. With just two pups I have to watch the rate of their weight gain very carefully to keep them within a normal weight range. Wish is producing plenty of milk and George and Martha are plenty plump!
Yesterday afternoon I was pleasantly surprised when Steve and Jim S. stopped by on their motorcylces; they just happened to be in the neighborhood! We had a nice visit together and the dogs enjoyed the company. I also was happy to have good reports about NashDog (son of Jackdog!) and Starr and Buddy (littermates). I think Nash and Buddy will be with us on the Brittanys club Fun Day while Starr will be with her trainer in Rangely. I look forward to seeing them and especially Stephanie again, too.
There will be new pictures taken sometime this weekend and hopefully posted by Monday. Our daughter and her husband have a wedding to attend and so it is an overnight adventure for their 3 children! We're looking forward to it as plans include baking cooking with Gramie and fishing with Grampa and lots of cuddle time with the baby. Updating the blog and speaking of company, our son just popped in! Take care and God Bless..
Yesterday afternoon I was pleasantly surprised when Steve and Jim S. stopped by on their motorcylces; they just happened to be in the neighborhood! We had a nice visit together and the dogs enjoyed the company. I also was happy to have good reports about NashDog (son of Jackdog!) and Starr and Buddy (littermates). I think Nash and Buddy will be with us on the Brittanys club Fun Day while Starr will be with her trainer in Rangely. I look forward to seeing them and especially Stephanie again, too.
There will be new pictures taken sometime this weekend and hopefully posted by Monday. Our daughter and her husband have a wedding to attend and so it is an overnight adventure for their 3 children! We're looking forward to it as plans include baking cooking with Gramie and fishing with Grampa and lots of cuddle time with the baby. Updating the blog and speaking of company, our son just popped in! Take care and God Bless..
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Pippinator
To the left and down is a new slideshopw that includes a few new sweet pictures of George and Martha. They are changing daily, so the next group of pictures of them will bring a huge difference in their appearance. Eyes wide open, they are moving all around the whelping box, gaining better control of their movement and seek each other out intentionally instead of just randomly bumping into each other. They have been outdoors now with Wish on a blanket. I enjoy watching their reaction to warm breezes, the scent of grass, and how they will respond to the first time they crawl off the blanket onto the grass. Their weight gain is steady and there is not a big difference between them. This weekend George and Martha will be introduced to baby cereal, mixed with Esbilac for a real gourmet treat. With just two pups I want to wean them early to avoid unnecessary weight gain. They are becoming vocal and very responsive to touch. The heat lamp is off during the day. In the next week or so pups will be exposed to more situations and handling increased. You will see the biggest change from 3 weeks to 4 weeks old.
I thought Nancy P. would enjoy seeing this picture of Pippin captured just as she jumped out of a nearby farm pond. (I apologize for some of your page being chopped off so I'll try to figure that out.) Nancy has been Pips biggest fan! Pippin is and always has been a delight. If all goes well, Dawn who owns her father, will come spend some time with us next week. She'll bring Bailey so John and I will get a chance to our little superstar hunter in the field. Dawn said she'll also bring her grooming tools - to make Pippin beautiful just in time for shows. I think we are also going to dogsit Molly's mother for a week or so. I look forward to that too!
August 1st is the Central Maine Brittany Club's annual Field and Fun Day and we are looking forward to a great time with members and friends and Brittanys. There will be a CGC test, field/hunting training demo on live birds, DNA samples for Brittany genetic studies, grooming, raffles, and good food with good friends. So far it's been a good response. This is the 5th year John and I have hosted this event at our home, and we especially like doing it because it brings a lot of our J & A Brittanys home for a reunion!
This weather has been gorgeous. Our dogs are loving it and are so happy to have hours of time out in the yard. Their energy has leveled out somewhat so they actually hang around, lay down and stay put. I like it when they come sit on the farmers porch with me in the afternoon. Wish is joining them more and more. It's important to me that she stays very active so her muscles remain strong.
We keep getting positive updates about Chrissy who has turned into a real couch potato in her new home! Her owner writes to say when she can't find Chrissy in the house she knows right where to look - her bed! Chrissy has taken to sleeping with her new owners LOL and that just makes me so happy to know she's such a part of their family already. There are times it is okay for a dog to share your bed - and it certainly is just fine for Chrissy in her new home. She has enjoyed going to work with her new owner at a beauty salon and being the highlight of the customers visits. We have a friend who lives near Chrissy and has visited her as well. I'd be lying if I said I did'nt miss her terribly because I really do. It'd be hard not to. But my joy for her is stronger than the sadness of missing her. I see a lot of Chrissy in Pippin. Today is bittersweet - Chrissy will be spayed. It is best for her and for her new owners as Chrissy will turn 8 this November. As a breeder, that is one of the most difficult decisions to make and should never be taken lightly or casually. Chrissy comes from a long line of great Brittanys who have added much to the integrity of the Breed. With many Dual Champions in her immediate background and many Hall of Fame Brittanys as well - we are proud and blessed. Even so, Miss fun loving Chrissy will enjoy retirement from the show ring and our breeding program living life up in 'The County" which truly is God's Country in Northern Maine.
I hope you like the new playlist! I had fun the other day putting it together. All I had to do was close my eyes and remember summers living on a small island in New Hampshire and the very special songs that were part of a young teens life. Maybe a little nostalgic. There's a way to pop out the player and enjoy it on your own computer if you are so inclined! I'm slow o the new technology but discovering playlists has been fun!
Well of course it is time to look towards those who depend upon me to be faithful to care for them the same way each day, without obligation - but out of love so will let you go.. As always, thanks for your interest in All Things Brittany! God Bless you - John, Ann and our Brittany crew
I thought Nancy P. would enjoy seeing this picture of Pippin captured just as she jumped out of a nearby farm pond. (I apologize for some of your page being chopped off so I'll try to figure that out.) Nancy has been Pips biggest fan! Pippin is and always has been a delight. If all goes well, Dawn who owns her father, will come spend some time with us next week. She'll bring Bailey so John and I will get a chance to our little superstar hunter in the field. Dawn said she'll also bring her grooming tools - to make Pippin beautiful just in time for shows. I think we are also going to dogsit Molly's mother for a week or so. I look forward to that too!
August 1st is the Central Maine Brittany Club's annual Field and Fun Day and we are looking forward to a great time with members and friends and Brittanys. There will be a CGC test, field/hunting training demo on live birds, DNA samples for Brittany genetic studies, grooming, raffles, and good food with good friends. So far it's been a good response. This is the 5th year John and I have hosted this event at our home, and we especially like doing it because it brings a lot of our J & A Brittanys home for a reunion!
This weather has been gorgeous. Our dogs are loving it and are so happy to have hours of time out in the yard. Their energy has leveled out somewhat so they actually hang around, lay down and stay put. I like it when they come sit on the farmers porch with me in the afternoon. Wish is joining them more and more. It's important to me that she stays very active so her muscles remain strong.
We keep getting positive updates about Chrissy who has turned into a real couch potato in her new home! Her owner writes to say when she can't find Chrissy in the house she knows right where to look - her bed! Chrissy has taken to sleeping with her new owners LOL and that just makes me so happy to know she's such a part of their family already. There are times it is okay for a dog to share your bed - and it certainly is just fine for Chrissy in her new home. She has enjoyed going to work with her new owner at a beauty salon and being the highlight of the customers visits. We have a friend who lives near Chrissy and has visited her as well. I'd be lying if I said I did'nt miss her terribly because I really do. It'd be hard not to. But my joy for her is stronger than the sadness of missing her. I see a lot of Chrissy in Pippin. Today is bittersweet - Chrissy will be spayed. It is best for her and for her new owners as Chrissy will turn 8 this November. As a breeder, that is one of the most difficult decisions to make and should never be taken lightly or casually. Chrissy comes from a long line of great Brittanys who have added much to the integrity of the Breed. With many Dual Champions in her immediate background and many Hall of Fame Brittanys as well - we are proud and blessed. Even so, Miss fun loving Chrissy will enjoy retirement from the show ring and our breeding program living life up in 'The County" which truly is God's Country in Northern Maine.
I hope you like the new playlist! I had fun the other day putting it together. All I had to do was close my eyes and remember summers living on a small island in New Hampshire and the very special songs that were part of a young teens life. Maybe a little nostalgic. There's a way to pop out the player and enjoy it on your own computer if you are so inclined! I'm slow o the new technology but discovering playlists has been fun!
Well of course it is time to look towards those who depend upon me to be faithful to care for them the same way each day, without obligation - but out of love so will let you go.. As always, thanks for your interest in All Things Brittany! God Bless you - John, Ann and our Brittany crew
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Little Woofs, Open Eyes, Puppy Breath
No pictures yet but they'll be coming! George and Martha's eyes are opening and they are so cute!!! Also while doing chores earlier this morning and Wish out and about I heard this little "WOOF"! It cracked me up, it was so sweet... I stood and watched as George and Martha butted heads and then backed up away from each other - each startled by the other and then - another "WOOF" which was Martha. Evidently he did it first when they bumped into each other head to head, and then she did it the next time... I also noticed Martha reacting to her mother's barking earlier today. Little "woofs" and open eyes... and can't forget... ahh-h-h-h sweet puppy breath. (You either love or are repelled by puppy breath - I find it intoxicating and first experienced it when quite young as the daughter of parents who bred Boston Terriers! My idea of fun was to hide from my parents in an empty whelping box - strange but true LOL! ) Don't forget - you can watch the video in full screen and click on the bottom right, to improve the quality of the picture. Just remember to turn "Rainbow Connection" off first.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
2 weeks old tomorrow
Every day we see incredible changes in the pups. George currently is more active and outgoing than Martha, but she is no timid little thing either. Despite the fact that there is more than enough to go around, she does like to nudge him off whatever nipple he is nursing from! Too funny... She's very cuddly to my hand, and he's very responsive to my touch, almost like a wind up toy - (be forewarned!). When I took these pictures in the video, they were at the end of a fairly active period - which by the way at this age do not last very long! I tried everything I could to get them moving a little bit more LOL! Tonight when I checked the pups, they are even up more on their little legs, using their muscles and are very strong. Their little eye slits are becoming more pronounced but I don't expect they will open for a a few more days. In this coming week we'll see a lot more stability as they use their little 'sea legs' more and more. (This blog has to be short, John has been gone all day up to Brownfield with some guys from the Brittany and Bird Dog Club working on the grounds there. I just went out and opened the gate for him to drive through with his tractor - which he got stuck up there but that's another story. Good thing I have a nice dinner waiting for him, he's going to be dirty, exhausted, and maybe a bit grumpy - ya think?! LOL! ) The dogs are now getting a couple of 2 hour runs a day now that the weather has broke and we're spending more time with them working in the field on birds. What a difference! Let's see... there are some shows coming up but I think we're going to focus on field trials more, so maybe Pippin will be spending some time with our gundog trainer. John works with him at times so this may work out. Uh oh! I hear the truck coming in!!! God Bless, John and Ann and ATB
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Live! From the Whelping Box
Wish decided yesterday should be moving day. She evidently decided the pups, the pad, and the paper should all be relocated. Wish shredded and shredded paper, then made several trips in and out of the box with it dropping it in her 'rest area", trampled it down, and made quite a nest. Then she gently picked the pups up and carried them over to the new spot. They did protest and I don't blame them! Although a warm and heated carpeted area it's not as cozy as their whelping box with the heat lamp hanging above. John and I moved the pups and paper back several times to no avail. I sat there and observed them for quite awhile, just to be sure there were no problems. The air and box temperature were compatible, there is a small fan moving the upper air around but! I wondered... If the curtain which I use to afford her some privacy, was actually bothering her. So, I simply moved the curtain to shield the area where she insisted on bringing her pups and voila! That was the solution. When the curtain left the area of the whelping box open, Wish was pleased with that. So now we're somewhat back to normal. (what is normal?!)
This morning Wish and I enjoyed a little break in the dog house together, sitting on the (towel covered) couch with the pups under our watchful eye. Every once in awhile they would let out a noise, she'd go check and clean them, and return to me. Weighing each pup is always challenging the first few days; 'mom' doesn't understand what is going on but I don't leave her out of the process, she get's too frantic and it's not worth it. Every time I handle the pups for any reason, it is done very slowly and deliberately, keeping an open eye for any sign of protectiveness emerging from Wish. She and I do trust each other, but she afterall ultimately is an animal and these are her babies. (Dams sometimes do revert to their natural, protective instincts especially in the early days following whelping. I know of breeders who have been bitten by the most docile and gentle dogs. You have to use wisdom.)
I carried the pups over to where she was resting on the couch and watched her clean them briefly. They are little roly poly pups, with full bellies and she keeps them immaculate. Their weights are equal so the little boy has caught up with his sister. Because there are only two pups, some of the ways necessary to care for a singleton (Pippin) apply here as well. Typically, in a larger litter, the pups are crawling all over each other, form pigpiles, and push each other back and forth from one nipple to the other while nursing. It's not that way with one or two. Things people take for granted in a large litter of pups, become extremely important to the development of smaller litters. The most important aspect of it all is the need to simulate, handle, and provide some challenges. As they get older, we will add safe toys and or pillows, obstacles for them to navigate around. We'll also handle these pups more frequently and deliberately. I don't worry about swimmers developing because of the indoor/outdoor carpet. Also our friends and fellow breeders Paul and Dawn Hill shared a simple but succesful technique designed to help further develop muscles for singletons which we'll use here.
Speaking of navigation; Lili and Todd's puppy scooted herself around the inside perimeter of the entire whelping box this morning! She sided up to the bottom wall and scooted her little self completely around. I couldn't help but wonder what that experience is teaching her. Sherry and Sheri's pup is mommas favorite, I think that's because she had such a hard time with him being breech. I was studying his markings this morning, he has a perfect heart on his shoulder, and a real nicely marked face/head.
In a few days, we will add a small carpet remant to the whelping box. This will remain under the light (as long as mom doesn't move it). We have found this absorbs the heat in one spot, and the pups navigate on and off of that frequently during the day. It's also useful to us in determining if they are too warm or too hot, not only depending on the thermometer. When it's just right, the pups tend to lay apart from each other and further away from where the heat from the overhead infrared light is focused. If it is too cool for the pups, they will gravitate towards each other, and onto the carpet pad, eventually piggy backing. Although the temperature remains consistent, there are variables involved. Sometimes Wish will scoop the pups up to nurse, and turn her back to the heat lamp. In the days and weeks ahead, the use of the heat lamp and supplemental heat will be decreased of course. It may be July - but it's Maine, and our dog house is a separate building which can get very cool at night. Especially when we have this damp rainy weather of late. On the other hand - we have air conditioning for the dog house as well!
Well that's about all the time I have because there are more kennel chores calling my name at the moment. I did see the sun awhile ago, where did it go?
This morning Wish and I enjoyed a little break in the dog house together, sitting on the (towel covered) couch with the pups under our watchful eye. Every once in awhile they would let out a noise, she'd go check and clean them, and return to me. Weighing each pup is always challenging the first few days; 'mom' doesn't understand what is going on but I don't leave her out of the process, she get's too frantic and it's not worth it. Every time I handle the pups for any reason, it is done very slowly and deliberately, keeping an open eye for any sign of protectiveness emerging from Wish. She and I do trust each other, but she afterall ultimately is an animal and these are her babies. (Dams sometimes do revert to their natural, protective instincts especially in the early days following whelping. I know of breeders who have been bitten by the most docile and gentle dogs. You have to use wisdom.)
I carried the pups over to where she was resting on the couch and watched her clean them briefly. They are little roly poly pups, with full bellies and she keeps them immaculate. Their weights are equal so the little boy has caught up with his sister. Because there are only two pups, some of the ways necessary to care for a singleton (Pippin) apply here as well. Typically, in a larger litter, the pups are crawling all over each other, form pigpiles, and push each other back and forth from one nipple to the other while nursing. It's not that way with one or two. Things people take for granted in a large litter of pups, become extremely important to the development of smaller litters. The most important aspect of it all is the need to simulate, handle, and provide some challenges. As they get older, we will add safe toys and or pillows, obstacles for them to navigate around. We'll also handle these pups more frequently and deliberately. I don't worry about swimmers developing because of the indoor/outdoor carpet. Also our friends and fellow breeders Paul and Dawn Hill shared a simple but succesful technique designed to help further develop muscles for singletons which we'll use here.
Speaking of navigation; Lili and Todd's puppy scooted herself around the inside perimeter of the entire whelping box this morning! She sided up to the bottom wall and scooted her little self completely around. I couldn't help but wonder what that experience is teaching her. Sherry and Sheri's pup is mommas favorite, I think that's because she had such a hard time with him being breech. I was studying his markings this morning, he has a perfect heart on his shoulder, and a real nicely marked face/head.
In a few days, we will add a small carpet remant to the whelping box. This will remain under the light (as long as mom doesn't move it). We have found this absorbs the heat in one spot, and the pups navigate on and off of that frequently during the day. It's also useful to us in determining if they are too warm or too hot, not only depending on the thermometer. When it's just right, the pups tend to lay apart from each other and further away from where the heat from the overhead infrared light is focused. If it is too cool for the pups, they will gravitate towards each other, and onto the carpet pad, eventually piggy backing. Although the temperature remains consistent, there are variables involved. Sometimes Wish will scoop the pups up to nurse, and turn her back to the heat lamp. In the days and weeks ahead, the use of the heat lamp and supplemental heat will be decreased of course. It may be July - but it's Maine, and our dog house is a separate building which can get very cool at night. Especially when we have this damp rainy weather of late. On the other hand - we have air conditioning for the dog house as well!
Well that's about all the time I have because there are more kennel chores calling my name at the moment. I did see the sun awhile ago, where did it go?
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Pup's Early Neurological Stimulation
Early Neurological Stimulation
The "Bio Sensor/Super Dog Program" is early neurological stimulation exercises done from days three to sixteen of the puppies life. The U.S. Military in their canine program developed a method that still serves as a guide to what works. In an effort to improve the performance of dogs used for military purposes, a program called "Bio Sensor" was developed. Later, it became known to the public as the "Super Dog" Program. Based on years of research, the military learned that early neurological stimulation exercises could have important and lasting effects. Their studies confirmed that there are specific time periods early in life when neurological stimulation has optimum results.
The most important thing I can personally do for every puppy which we are responsible to bring into the world is to devote myself to a miniumum of the first 8 weeks of their life, doing all I possibly can to prepare them for the rest of their lives. 8 weeks is usually all the time we have to lay a sound and secure foundation for a puppy, who will spend it's entire life living with humans. John and I take a lot of pride in the way we do this and have been blessed one hundred fold by the feedback of people who have a Brittany from us. Simply said, we have found that what we do results in a very well adjusted, socialized dog with few if any issues of concern. And for Wish and Gibson's pups, we started laying this foundation 2 days ago. What follows is an exerpt of the program we follow, first developed by Carmen Battaglia. (In addition to this program of early puppy development, we do the Puppy Aptitude Tests (Volhardt) at @5 weeks with a few minor changes gearing the results for a bird dog, and later on we evaluate the enter litter - based upon Pat Hasting's video - The Puppy Puzzle.)
"The first period of development involves a window of time that begins at the third day of life and lasts until the sixteenth day. It is believed that because this interval of time is a period of rapid neurological growth and development, and therefore is of great importance to the individual. The "Bio Sensor" program was also concerned with early neurological stimulation in order to give the dog a superior advantage. Its development utilized six exercises, which were designed to stimulate the neurological system. Each workout involved handling puppies once each day. The workouts required handling them one at a time while performing a series of five exercises. Listed in no order of preference the handler starts with one put and stimulates it using each of the five exercises. The handler completes the series from beginning to end before starting with the next pup.
The handling of each pup once per day involves the following exercises:
1. Tactile stimulation - holding the pup in one hand, the handler gently stimulates (tickles) the pup between the toes on any one foot using a Q-tip. It is not necessary to see that the pup is feeling the tickle. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.
2. Head held erect - using both hands, the pup is held perpendicular to the ground, (straight up), so that its head is directly above its tail. This is an upwards position. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds
3. Head pointed down - holding the pup firmly with both hands the head is reversed and is pointed downward so that it is pointing towards the ground. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds
4. Supine position - hold the pup so that its back is resting in the palm of both hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling. The pup while on its back is allowed to sleep struggle. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.
5. Thermal stimulation - use a damp towel that has been cooled in a refrigerator for at least five minutes. Place the pup on the towel, feet down. Do not restrain it from moving. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.
These five exercises will produce neurological stimulations, none of which naturally occur during this early period of life. Experience shows that sometimes pups will resist these exercises, others will appear unconcerned. In either case a caution is offered to those who plan to use them. Do not repeat them more than once per day and do not extend the time beyond that recommended for each exercise. Over stimulation of the neurological system can have adverse and detrimental results. These exercises impact the neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be normally expected. The result being an increased capacity that later will help to make the difference in its performance. Those who play with their pups and routinely handle them should continue to do so because the neurological exercises are not substitutions for routine handling, play socialization or bonding.
Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises. The benefits noted were:
Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate)
Stronger heart beats
Stronger adrenal glands
More tolerance to stress and
Greater resistance to disease.
In tests of learning, stimulated pups were found to be more active and were more exploratory than their non- stimulated littermates over which they were dominant in competitive situations. Secondary effects were also noted regarding test performance. In simple problem solving tests using detours in a maze, the non-stimulated pups became extremely aroused, wined a great deal, and made many errors. Their stimulated littermates were less disturbed or upset by test conditions and when comparisons were made, the stimulated littermates were more calm in the test environment, made fewer errors and gave only an occasional distress when stressed."
The "Bio Sensor/Super Dog Program" is early neurological stimulation exercises done from days three to sixteen of the puppies life. The U.S. Military in their canine program developed a method that still serves as a guide to what works. In an effort to improve the performance of dogs used for military purposes, a program called "Bio Sensor" was developed. Later, it became known to the public as the "Super Dog" Program. Based on years of research, the military learned that early neurological stimulation exercises could have important and lasting effects. Their studies confirmed that there are specific time periods early in life when neurological stimulation has optimum results.
The most important thing I can personally do for every puppy which we are responsible to bring into the world is to devote myself to a miniumum of the first 8 weeks of their life, doing all I possibly can to prepare them for the rest of their lives. 8 weeks is usually all the time we have to lay a sound and secure foundation for a puppy, who will spend it's entire life living with humans. John and I take a lot of pride in the way we do this and have been blessed one hundred fold by the feedback of people who have a Brittany from us. Simply said, we have found that what we do results in a very well adjusted, socialized dog with few if any issues of concern. And for Wish and Gibson's pups, we started laying this foundation 2 days ago. What follows is an exerpt of the program we follow, first developed by Carmen Battaglia. (In addition to this program of early puppy development, we do the Puppy Aptitude Tests (Volhardt) at @5 weeks with a few minor changes gearing the results for a bird dog, and later on we evaluate the enter litter - based upon Pat Hasting's video - The Puppy Puzzle.)
"The first period of development involves a window of time that begins at the third day of life and lasts until the sixteenth day. It is believed that because this interval of time is a period of rapid neurological growth and development, and therefore is of great importance to the individual. The "Bio Sensor" program was also concerned with early neurological stimulation in order to give the dog a superior advantage. Its development utilized six exercises, which were designed to stimulate the neurological system. Each workout involved handling puppies once each day. The workouts required handling them one at a time while performing a series of five exercises. Listed in no order of preference the handler starts with one put and stimulates it using each of the five exercises. The handler completes the series from beginning to end before starting with the next pup.
The handling of each pup once per day involves the following exercises:
1. Tactile stimulation - holding the pup in one hand, the handler gently stimulates (tickles) the pup between the toes on any one foot using a Q-tip. It is not necessary to see that the pup is feeling the tickle. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.
2. Head held erect - using both hands, the pup is held perpendicular to the ground, (straight up), so that its head is directly above its tail. This is an upwards position. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds
3. Head pointed down - holding the pup firmly with both hands the head is reversed and is pointed downward so that it is pointing towards the ground. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds
4. Supine position - hold the pup so that its back is resting in the palm of both hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling. The pup while on its back is allowed to sleep struggle. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.
5. Thermal stimulation - use a damp towel that has been cooled in a refrigerator for at least five minutes. Place the pup on the towel, feet down. Do not restrain it from moving. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.
These five exercises will produce neurological stimulations, none of which naturally occur during this early period of life. Experience shows that sometimes pups will resist these exercises, others will appear unconcerned. In either case a caution is offered to those who plan to use them. Do not repeat them more than once per day and do not extend the time beyond that recommended for each exercise. Over stimulation of the neurological system can have adverse and detrimental results. These exercises impact the neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be normally expected. The result being an increased capacity that later will help to make the difference in its performance. Those who play with their pups and routinely handle them should continue to do so because the neurological exercises are not substitutions for routine handling, play socialization or bonding.
Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises. The benefits noted were:
Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate)
Stronger heart beats
Stronger adrenal glands
More tolerance to stress and
Greater resistance to disease.
In tests of learning, stimulated pups were found to be more active and were more exploratory than their non- stimulated littermates over which they were dominant in competitive situations. Secondary effects were also noted regarding test performance. In simple problem solving tests using detours in a maze, the non-stimulated pups became extremely aroused, wined a great deal, and made many errors. Their stimulated littermates were less disturbed or upset by test conditions and when comparisons were made, the stimulated littermates were more calm in the test environment, made fewer errors and gave only an occasional distress when stressed."
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Speaking of Puppies
A little reflection. This is a grandson of Wish, J & A's High Caliber Haris Special, otherwise known and loved as the Bullet Man. (son of JackDog and Chrissy!). I love this photo. The photographer captured what the judge saw in Bullet and what 'we' see in him. Bullet is growing into his body, arms, legs, ears, you name it - he's at that stage. Our Brittanys have strong and outstanding field lines behind them, and we have always bred primarily for their hunting ability as it relates to form and function in the field, keeping the breed standard in mind. It's a challenge! ANYONE with an understanding of what we are up against can appreciate the challenge. We are so thankful for those puppy buyers who are so willing to help us prove our line by stepping into various competitive events. We can't do it with every single puppy ourselves! And I can hardly do it with Treasure and Pippin. We tried to show Mr. Scoobie- doobah - he was cute, but he's a big guy too. We don't apologize for having some Brittanys that are at or exceed the high side of the breed standard, but we are so encouraged when we see those who remain within it. Will the Bullet Man fall within or without? Right now, we believe he's going to fill out, develop, chest drop. Either way, we know he is already a fine representative of the breed and show career or not - there will be no sense of failure - for Bullet is of sound mind, sweet disposition, intelligent, and extremely birdy. So in a nutshell - we're all having a wonderful time loving our Brittanys, hunting with them and showing some. And I just wanted to proudly post this beautiful picture. Although there were not enough dogs that day to win a point - he competed for Best in Breed, won Best of Opposite and then went on to win Best Puppy in Breed. Bullet, Pippin, and Izzy (Lisa's puppy bitch) all had a good day!
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