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There will be a formal evaluation of the puppies at seven weeks probably early in May,2009. For the evaluation to be meaningful, the puppies are evaluated in a place
where the sights and smells and people are unfamiliar to them;
hence the evaluation will probably be held at Marquis Kennels or Black Pearl Aussies rather than here. The breeders,
who do the evalaution, have printed criteria and spend thirty minutes to an hour per puppy measuring and observing.
With the last litter, all of our beautiful little puppies achieved exceptional scores in temperament.
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The puppies will have "Home Again" microchips
which can be identified even internationally; however, you must
register the number before the microchip will reference you as the owner.
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Heart Worm Prevention|
Heartworms are endemic here in the South and probably all over the
nation. The puppies should start the once a month heartworm prevention
tablets at three to four months.
Both Eric and Bree have tested "normal/normal" and so do not
carry the MDR1 mutation.
Heartworm prevention tablets also control adult hookworm infection, and remove
and control adult roundworms and whipworms. We haven't had to worm an adult
dog since these tablets came into existence.
Fleas --
Sentinel (one of the heart worm prevention medications), which is more expensive but also controls fleas, in the long run, saves
both effort and expense and so, in my opinion, is a real bargain. Capstar is NOT for heartworm prevention,
but it kills adult fleas when they bite a dog dosed with Capstar. Capstar
now comes in a 30 day version and is a big help in case one's dog acquires fleas
from a passing stranger or from fleas on squirrels in the yard.
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Please remember that a puppy does not have the physical capability
to control his impulse for relief until he is three months old. Until that time
it is you who has to be trained -- to take the dog out frequently.
Especially the puppy must go out the first thing in the morning, the last thing at night,
as soon as he wakes up from any nap and after he eats.
If he stops play and starts sniffing around, then grab him and head for the door.
Remember to praise, praise, PRAISE when he behaves appropriately.
Tim's theory is that a dog won't soil its sleeping area. With that theory in mind,
I have had good luck with this technique (but please don't try it if you aren't a light sleeper,
if you aren't willing to go outside in the middle of the
night, and if you don't want a dog sleeping on your bed).
I put a leash on the puppy which I let sleep on the bed anyway, then keep one end
of the leash around my wrist. If the puppy starts moving around to get down, he wakes me
and I rush him right outside.
Even though the puppy will try to avoid soiling his sleeping area, if he is kept confined --
say to a crate -- for a long period of time, he will HAVE to soil it and the whole point
of the crate will be rendered useless.
We have had no luck with those puppy pads sold at pet stores.
With the first litter, the puppies seemed to be choosing one particular rug for a
"bathroom"; I rushed out and bought numerous puppy pads -- the largest size
available. I learned this: it is possible that such pads will work for needs of a
single puppy but the pads [I bought two different brands] certainly don't have
sufficient "power" -- neither absorbent nor attracting -- for the needs of the many.
Wendy, who got Beau from the first litter, reported that the two or three pads
she took with her worked quite well at the airport when she changed planes. She just put the
pad down then the dog down on the pad, and he performed. {What a beautiful and
rewarding sight that can be!} But we've found the pads to be valueless when left
down in the pen; our puppies just tore them to shreds playing tug of war!
Maybe with just one pup??!!!
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Crate Training
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We highly recommend crate training
for a young puppy so that the puppy is not left loose when no one
is home -- until both you and your puppy are comfortable with the
new situation. This time can vary. You do not want to come home
and find your home in shambles because the puppy has been lonesome
and has found "unpleasant" ways of keeping itself occupied while it
was left to its own devices. It is helpful for the puppy to be
crated while he learns appropriate behavior. |
We've found Aussies to be very loyal dogs who want always to
be near us -- moving around the house with us and then settling at our feet.
We agree with the "Dog Whisperer" who observes that walking provides a dog
with security and discipline. We've also found that a nice walk is very relaxing
and pleasant for us as well as for our dogs.
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Here we are eight years ago -- me, my son-in-law, Tom, with
Tommy in his backpack -- heading out with three rescued dogs, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, a Poodle,
and especially Dundee,
our first Aussie, who started it all. Also along -- but hard to see -- is, Scarlet,
our Chocolate Lab. |
For additional information on Australian Shepherds, here are two links:
About Aussies.
This site gives the breed characteristics.
Aussie History. This site HAD beautiful old pictures,
but I fear it may no longer be available.
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