Noni's LITTLES - 6 wks old
Noni's LITTLES - Six weeks old… and this week, the personalities came out in full bloom and blossom.
At this point, they are no longer simply six LITTLES who look REMARKABLY similar, they are their own little individuals, and I now have a pretty good idea of exactly who each one is. Don’t take their collars off on me just yet though!
They are all wonderful in their own way — but they now all have their own little personalities about how life should be lived.
Some settle quickly and are perfectly content to hang out and observe.
Some are the life of the party and apparently believe every activity should include them.
Others are calm and collected, taking everything in without much fuss.
And then there are the ones who are particularly tuned in and aware — watching, listening and paying attention to what is happening around them.
Sit by your leg?
“That's me.”
Entertain you?
“Yep, I'm there.”
Snuggle for hours?
“I accept.”
Or simply hang out and be perfectly content doing absolutely nothing?
“I can do that too.”
It's been an amazing week of watching these little personalities bloom and continue to develop, blossom and become their very own.
SELECTION WEEKEND IS IN FULL SWING!
This is the weekend our eager families (and myself included) have been waiting for — puppy selection weekend! FAVORITE WEEKEND! ... Right up there with GOTHCA DAY.
The families have been and will continue to come in today, spend time with the puppies and together, we will figure out which little LITTLE personality feels like the right match for their family.
Who do I feel is their best match?
Who pulls at their heartstrings?
Who seems to naturally fit their lifestyle and expectations?
There is a lot that goes into my puppy matching process. It's not simply about choosing the puppy with the cutest face or the lightest coat or the smallest size. It’s who is matched correctly with a whole gamut of things so every family has the greatest chance at success.
I have spent the past six weeks watching their temperaments develop, observing how they respond to people, environments, other dogs, new experiences, stimulation, challenges and one another. I have a pretty strong sense of who these puppies are becoming. It’s been an exceptional journey.
I promise each and every family I work with — the right puppy will go home with the right family.
The next two weeks for these LITTLE families are going to be down right torturous!
As Selection weekend concludes around here, our work continues in full force. Exposure and desensitization will continue right up until they leave.
Over the next two weeks, the puppies will experience more:
• Car rides
• Swimming and water experiences
• Startle-and-recovery exercises
• New surfaces, sounds and environments
• Individual crate work
• Handling and grooming experiences
• Continued socialization and confidence-building
Their Snuggle Puppies have now been introduced and thoroughly scented, giving them another familiar comfort item to take with them when they eventually transition into their new homes. Crate training is progressing nicely. They're settling more quickly and beginning to sleep for longer stretches in their crates — which is exactly what we want to see. Food intake is increasing as their growing bodies demand more fuel, and those little tummies are getting fatte...… I mean rounder! Definitely rounder! More Beautiful.
Their awareness is also increasing, and this is one of my favorite stages to watch. They're noticing more, processing more and becoming increasingly engaged with the world around them.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Isla: Her pregnancy won't be confirmed for another couple of weeks, so everyone hang tight! We're waiting patiently over here… or at least pretending to.
Anya: She is still within her breeding window, so stay tuned there as well.
There is a lot in the making around here, and I couldn't be more excited to see what the coming weeks bring.
