January 28th, 2012
… by the whims of puppies. The whole previous week the puppies always were very active mid-morning. So, all us humans set the PPPP testing time for 10:30 AM. Well, come testing day the pups were zonked out completely all the while we planned on testing, which we went ahead and did anyways. Big mistake!
This is how the PPPP went: I picked up a puppy out of the sleeping pile, walk over to the clean garage where the puppies have never been before, and place the puppy on the floor, the pup would look around dazed as if still sleeping. Rosanne, the tester, would coax them over but sometimes the pups wouldn’t move. It went down hill from there. Some of the tests, the pups were just lumps and showed no reaction which is totally not these puppies.
So, this time the test did not reflect the real personality these puppies. I still believe in the Volhard test but in this case it was poor execution and timing on our part. Next time, I’ll have a plan B.
I thought about re-testing them but that woudln’t be quite the same as now they had a practice round. Plus, it’d be real hard for me to find someone the puppies haven’t met by now. We’ll do some other testing, a subset of the Volhard tests, when the puppies new owners are here to help pick the right puppy for them.
This is the third time we’ve done the Volhard test. Once before on a friends litter, and on our first (and only other) litter. So, I’m suprised to not have noticed this before but there are overlapping categories on the touch sensitivity test. How does one select between catagories like 2-3 and 3-4 if the seconds were three? It could be scored either a 1 or a 2. That can lead to mis-leading scores depending on how consistent the evaluator is.
Another thing I thought should change on the touch sensitivity test is using the webbing of the feet to ‘pinch’. Our Poodles have been getting their nails clipped every other day or so since they were three days old. And, the Bio-Sensor training we do includes touching between there toes everyday until they’re 18 days old. Just about every Poodle handles as hard of a pinch the tester can deliver. Poodles are not that insensitive. Maybe using a different body part for the pinch test would be more represntative of the touch sensitivity.
Next litter, I’m going to teach the Pups how to tell time so they know when we humans have something scheduled.
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January 22nd, 2012
Ok, Ok, so the Poodle Puppy Proficiency Profile uses the same forms and scoring as the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test. The Gladystar Poodles are extra special so the test should have a special Poodley name. The Volhard test has been in use for decades and is a very helpful tool in determining puppy home placement.
This coming Wednesday, the 49th day for the puppies, we’re going to administer the Volhard test to the litter. Friends Rosanne Aman and Elaine Gauthier are coming over to be the tester and evaluator. The puppies have never met Rosanne or Elaine. The garage will have to be cleaned up a bit. That space was purposely avoided when bringing the puppies out to the car. So, it’ll be a new and unfamilar place for them. So that’s the set-up for the test. It’s kind of interesting to see the puppies reaction to the different parts of the test. You can read more about it at the link above.
I’m betting that all the puppies score very similar to our last litter - Klara’s litter that produced Orchid. All those puppies scored either 3’s or 4’s. Here’s how Volhard scoring describes puppies with 3’s or 4’s:
“Mostly 3’s -
Can be a high-energy dog and may need lots of exercise
Good with people and other animals
Can be a bit of a handful to live with
Needs training, does very well at it and learns quickly
Great dog for second time owner.
Mostly 4’s -
The kind of dog that makes the perfect pet Best choice for the first time owner.
Rarely will buck for a promotion in the family
Easy to train, and rather quiet.
Good with elderly people, children, although may need protection from the children
Choose this pup, take it to obedience classes, and you’ll be the star, without having to do too much work!
Getting those perfect Poodle personalities is hard work but very satisfying, especially when Gladystar Puppy owners remark “he’s a perfect Poodle”.
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January 21st, 2012
… to Grandma’s house we go.
The puppies were packed up and taken for a long car ride to my parent’s house Saturday. Its a 50 - 60 minute ride one way along mostly bumpy town and county roads with some freeway speeds towards the end. All the pups handled it quite well with just a little whining to start off which was pretty much ignored.
Pup playing tug
Once at my parents house, the puppies were let out onto the driveway for a potty break. After a couple of minutes, they followed me up the small steps and into the house as if I was the pied piper. The house is a bit on the small side which worked out well as only one door needed to be blocked to keep all the puppies confined to the kitchen. All eleven pups were exploring when my Dad came into the room pushing his walker which of course all the pups swarmed to check out immediately. We didn’t stay long as puppies and old people tend to tire out quickly - LOL. The ride home was very quiet all the way.
New youtube video featuring Agility training!
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January 21st, 2012
At the start of Orchid’s litter whelping, I intended to post something about the puppies every couple of days or so but 11 puppies keep Patty and I very, very busy. Trying to provide 11 puppies with a wide range of experiences is challenging and time consuming. House training and crate training not to mention grooming keeps us on the go all day long.
Our goal is for the puppies to turn out to be happy, confident, and calm. That’s why we put in so much effort to their socialization. And, the puppies just soak it all up and its entertaining for us.
Cuddly Puppy
Puppies are so funny when they’re playing and active it is easy to forget how much cuddling they like. From the time the puppies are whelped, they are smelling and feeling our human odor and warm breath. As new whelps, each one is held close to our faces and neck, gently and securely, while softly stroking the puppy against our cheek and chin. As days go by, that quiet activity continues almost everytime the puppy is picked up whether for grooming or weighing or just because.
While valuing the energetic and active characteristics of Poodles, its just as important to have that calmness that comes with confidence.
Tags: Add new tag, Standard Poodle Puppies Wisconsin
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January 10th, 2012
All the puppies went for a ride in the van today. Just about five miles; didn’t want to over do it. Having the whole litter together for a new and different experience gives them some comfort when things get scary. During the ride, no one made a peep and afterwards everyone seemed fine. Don’t want anyone to be carsick as an adult.
House training started last night. Everytime the puppies wake up from a nap which is always right after their tasty bowl of gruel, they go outside immediately. I have to rush because the puppies are getting fast. They get herded to the door with much encouragement and then I quickly close it before anyone tries sneaking back in. Only a couple of little messes in the play area and no messes in the whelping box.
The Puppies are exploring the Poodle Play Pen for the first time and what do you know, there’s an Agility Teeter Totter on the floor. The plank moves about two inches which is almost imperceptible. It does make a little noise but not very noticeable now. The most important thing in this lesson is the unusual surface. It has sandy grit painted on. Next time the puppies see it - ho hum - “another day in the park”. Check out the youtube video.
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January 7th, 2012
NO! I’m not strangling this little guy - it just looks that way. Actually, I’m very gently holding her head just enough to keep her safe from the clipper blades. The first shave is more about getting them used to the sound and feel of the clipper. I try to make it as comfortable and stress free as possible. Poodles have a lifetime of grooming and it helps to start off on the right foot. When the puppy goes to their new homes, their regular groomers will appreciate it.
The all pups got their first bath and blow dry today also. They’re so fluffy now. To help keep them clean and sanitary, the tail area was clippered. I was surprised at how much hair four week old puppies can have. In a week or so, the Puppies will have another bath and a more thorough grooming.
Patty enjoys taking a break with the puppies. They really like snuggling and will purr when they’re nestled in your arms. Although, teeth are emerging the puppies haven’t quite figured out what to do with them yet. Wait ’til next week.
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January 5th, 2012
The puppies are getting busy and active for longer periods of time. No more “ready” box for them! Now the real fun begins. They have to learn about everything including water. They sniff it, lick it, paw it, fall into it and walk in it. What fun! The floor has to be mopped up anyways so why not get a little head start. Before the puppies start on real food, they need to learn how to drink water. This will be a good start.
I left Orchid’s food bowl on the floor and the puppies found it. They were very interested and licked away at it. Pretty good indication that they’re ready for their first meal of gruel. A blender ground up some regular dog food real fine which was then mixed with some warm puppy formula to make a watery gruel. As the picture shows, all the pups just dove in with no extra encouragement needed.
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January 1st, 2012
All the Poodle Puppies had their paw hair clipped today. That was the first time experiencing a clipper. It’s a lightweight battery powered Arco. Mostly did it just so they get started with the grooming routine and hear the noise and feel the vibration of a clipper. Plus the hair was getting in the way of clipping their nails. The puppies have been having their nails clipped every second or third day with a human finger nail clipper. Momma’s belly would be all scratched up otherwise.
The pups’ development is coming along right on schedule. Today is the first day I can say their hearing is well developed. When I clapped they all stopped dead in their tracks and looked in my direction. Previously, they would sort of respond to a noise but we weren’t sure. Eyesight continues to develop and within the next couple of days I bet they’ll be tracking a ball rolling past. They are getting much more interactive with each other, mostly mouthing but with some pawing. A couple of the pups are trying to climb up the whelping box wall to look outside.
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December 30th, 2011
Orchid earned a high honor from one of Poodledoms most prestigious organizations - Versatility in Poodles (VIP).
She was awarded a Versatility Certificate (VC). That means Orchid met the point requirments in a number of different areas including health reporting(CHIC), conformation champion award (AKC CH) and performance awards (AKC OAJ).
Orchid’s registered name with titles is
Ch Gladystar Obsidian Flower OAJ.
Tags: Versatility Certificate, VIP
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December 19th, 2011
Puppies are starting to open their eyes and trying to walk. Not all the puppies’ eyes were open with some only having small slits showing. The pups that do have eyes open fully can’t see much of anything. Here’s a youtube video of the puppies wandering around in the whelping box.
All the puppies went for a little adventure - one at a time out to sniff the living room rug this morning. Their little heads were bobbing like a bobble-head toy with their nose kind of bouncing to the ground taking in the new scent. I only have them out there about 10 seconds or so just enough for them to exercise the ol’ olfactory organ.
Tags: Standard Poodle Puppies Wisconsin
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