Let The Puppy Parties Begin!

For once I actually got through my entire To Do List on a weekend.  Admittedly, the list was more realistic than normal, only about half the length it usually is.  I knew I would be distracted by incredibly cute pups all weekend, and took that into consideration.  Good thing I did not over-schedule as we had the added wrinkle of surgery on Watson's ear.

Ron was petting little Watty boy (12 1/2 year old Coral son) on Saturday morning when he noticed a huge soft lump on Watson's right ear.  A Hematoma, a blood and fluid filled swelling about 3/4 inch thick that took up half his ear.  Fortunately I was able to get him in to the vet clinic that morning, where they sedated him, removed all the bloody fluid and clots, and inserted a drain that he will be wearing for 3 weeks.  If the ear is just lanced and drained it usually fills up again, and the plastic drain will hopefully keep that from happening.  He seems to be handling things well and is enjoying the extra attention.

Fern had her first obedience class on Saturday and things went pretty well except for the distraction of kids, one of whom was wearing furry white boots and dancing around the ring.  Too much of a distraction for Fern!  I was annoyed, as the class was not inexpensive, and the dogs did need any more distraction on the first day.  Should have offered to pay for a babysitter for next week!  Fern did fine though, and the class is handy, only a mile away.  We can always do a better class next time.  Distractable Fern needs to learn to concentrate before I can show her, and obedience classes will help.  She had a great weekend, with class, a run in the park, and a visit from her favorite kids.

The pups are 4 weeks old today, and have entered the Period of Socialization which lasts from 4 weeks to 4 months.  This is the time when pups need to be exposed to as many new things as possible.  A variety of people, situations, sounds, sights, smells, and textures.  The experiences a pup has during this 3 month time frame will determine what he grows up to be.  A puppy who does not receive appropriate socialization during this period can never make up for lost time, so we will be very busy for the next month, trying to insure the pups get as much socialization as we can manage.  Then it's up to their new owners to continue the process.

We had our first Puppy Party yesterday, the first of many.  Jozie and Kassia are great with pups and ALL the youngsters had a good time.

The adult dogs love Puppy Parties too, as they know they will get lots of extra attention too.