Playtime! Funtime! Happy, Happy! Joy, Joy!
I cannot get enough of these puppies and love to spend as much time as I possibly can enjoying each and every one of them. Yes, that's a bit of a challenge due to sheer numbers of course but the challenge itself is worth the effort. Visits are well under way and the pups are loving the extra attention given to them. They are getting so use to people approaching their whelping box and playpen that now they run around with great excitement. There are always a few sleepy pups in the crowd who may choose to sleep through it all. If gently prodded and handled though they'll soon reveal their true and most beautiful colors that boldly demonstrate they are indeed Brittanys! This morning John had quite the greeting as the pups woofed and woofed as he approached. This is since yesterday and I believe we can give Treasure the credit for that. She's very adept at letting us know when someone is around and her hearing is extremely keen. Treasure's vocalizing may include sounds that indicate there is a 200 pound guard dog in the house to the sweet singing voice of her woo-woo-woo which are so endearing. Well, like mother like pups I guess and it's really very cute as they discover their individual voices. Sometimes they will woof woof to the point of startling themselves and it is just funny!
While respecting the privacy of our new puppy families I want to simply say we are very happy and blessed at the way everything continues to come together. It means an awful lot when people wait with us from year to year knowing full well there are other Brittany breeders with wonderful dogs available from time to time. I was so pleased to hear from a couple from Vermont who had been on our list since early in 2010. Also knowing another couple from New York has been in touch with us since January 2011. Years ago one of our vets said when the time was right they would like to speak with us about the possibility of a puppy from us, and that will soon become a reality. There are those of you who learned of us by word of mouth by friends, hunting partners, or other breeders. And still several who share very similar philosophies and beliefs with us.
We are just about half way to the first day of the rest of these puppies lives. In a little over 4 weeks you'll pick up your new Brittany puppy, turn and walk away and we will know full well you're prepared to spend the next 12 years or so with your new friend. Most of you will be hunting, a few of you are going to try showing, and all of you will be living the reality we call 'all for the love of the dog, both given and received.'
Some of what we share at times may sound redundant and rightfully so. The importance of being prepared cannot be overlooked. Knowing the breed, understanding normal puppy behavior, the importance of formal puppy kindergarten, a structured training program regardless of your interest, early bird introduction, a well puppy visit, and staying in touch with John and I are so important. The book "Art of Raising A Puppy" continues to be a book we require is read by everyone. And the other book "Tarrant Trains Gun Dogs" as well. A quick read the first time, and then valuable resources in the future. I'm trying to make this blog be much more resourceful so be sure to peruse the list of pages.
I'm looking forward to getting the pups outdoors briefly as soon as the weather permits. We really have to be diligent these days with the darn hawk situation though. No longer is their the freedom for us to let the pups romp at will outdoors in our large yard. They'll be in the X-pen with a covering over the top and when we venture down to the pond it will be only be a couple at a time. (We actually put a formal complaint into the state because the hawk problem has escalated to the point where it feels as if our pigeons, chukar, and quail are a food source for them. We're spending money on the birds and their grain just to keep the predator population strong I guess. Despite our best efforts at protecting the birds the hawks still get them.) Last year I did set up my screen house that I use for the shows and put the x-pen inside of that which worked quite well.
Soon our PAT evaluations will take place. Julie & Pam, our 'official' ATB Puppy Testers will spend a day here playing with the pups... errr... working with, testing, and evaluating the pups. Definitely NOT an all work no play assignment. They are well experienced at this point in time in the Volhardt method of Puppy Aptitude Testing. I think we're going to have another evaluator join in as the pups are older, someone who recently participating in a Pat Hastings Puppy Puzzle seminar and is looking forward to doing that in this area. The ages of each test may not seem like a big deal but sometimes there is a huge difference in the result of a 5 week pup as opposed to a 7 week pup. In most cases, and as I say often - you can put a blindfold on and select your puppy and know you will have one of sound temperament, strong hunting ability, and good health. There are the slightest differences and nuances that make it worthwhile though to be assured of a good fit. Especially when it comes to conformation, size, etc. And some folks like a specific gender or color or though that's never guaranteed - obviously!
In regards to pups personality, I've pretty much identified the two show offs who are destined to be the alpha dominant male and female. No I'm not telling! But they are the ones who typically do everything first, always make themselves known, show off, and try to run the show. All of the pups will find their spot in the litter hierarchy and little challenges will be ongoing. In the days and weeks ahead this will become more noticeable. Sometimes the bigger pups in a litter are assumed to be the little toughies of the group, but the smaller puppies can be quite surprising in regards to how much they are willing to put up with. Lots of play wrestling, scuffling going on these days. If adult dogs were allowed to interact like these babies do - they would be accused of being severely aggressive! But that is where the understanding of what is normal behavior, normal play, normal sounds, and normal interactions is so important. With the wealth of information out there today on the web and in the many books on dog care today there are endless resources for these areas. Even so, I've listed many of my favorite and most recommended books here on the blog - over there in the right hand column somewhere. It does need to be updated as I have read several more books.
A friend of ours suggested perhaps I should do an off shoot of this blog called Gun Dog Training 101. She and several others are also after me to do a book. I start and stop. I have a title (I think). I have an editor, an illustrator, but no publisher. I'm open to suggestions to get the ATB book off the ground.
In the meantime - wow! It's a gorgeous sunshiny day! Looking forward to the visit this afternoon to introduce the pups to another awaiting family. These visits are just for falling in love with the pups and for getting up close and personal. No puppy selections until much later but everyone has their favorites - and we'll do our best.
Take care and God bless, enjoy the sunshine while we have it. John, Ann, and ATB
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