Big Paws Only Dog Forums

I do NOT like it.

well she was looking at me holding a cookie. Does that count? LOL

I was speaking to her when I snapped #1.

#1 is also what I would call a "typical" expression of her. People have been drawn to her since she was a little puppy because of this sweet soft expression she has.

#1 is winning the race on several forums where I've posted this, altho I liked #2 as well.

Blair, I'm so sorry.

They give so much and ask for so little. I think dogs love us in such a perfect way. No expectations. No spite. No grudges. They just love. I think it's one reason why it hurts so badly to lose them.

The Rainbow Bridge has a new big little guy today.

RIP ^Diesel^

It's very clear your mommy loved you so much.

(((hugs))) Blair.

First off, I STRONGLY advise against having her spayed during her season. During this time, her uterus is engorged with blood, and complications and bleeding issues are much more common, plus you will have a much larger incision due to the size of the uterus when she is in season.

second, plan to confine her from male dogs for THIRTY DAYS from the time you first saw blood. Many bitches get accidentally bred during the last days of their season. Thirty days makes SURE you are safe.

third, wait 3 to 4 weeks after her season to schedule her spay. This gives her uterus time to return to it's normal anestrus size.

Go ahead and count up on your calendar, make the appointment, and be sure to KEEP IT.

Most bitches in season don't change ALL that much. It can be a bit messy and smelly. I use unscented baby wipes to help keep her clean and fresh. A pair of men's undies tied up with a shoe string, with a sanitary napkin inside can keep spots off your rugs and furniture.

**disclaimer** Penny says DO NOT LAUGH at these photos...LOL**



Tying them up with a string like this helps keep them from slipping.

Hang in there. You'll get through it just fine.

I would ask the breeder.

If they are willing to show him, that's the best of all worlds. I show my puppies for no fee except entries and boarding while they are with me in my care. (7.00 per day)

If the breeder can't show for you, ask them for handler recommendation s.

I have been working putting a pedigree together on a breeding that I'm considering for Penny. I sent it to her breeder today, and got very positive feedback on it.

Penny's breeder and I are making plans to see this young dog and go over him, but barring anything really wierd or unforeseen, Penny will be visiting CH Apollonia Anything Goes ("Axel") late this year.

This will be a loose line breeding on CH Full Moon's As Good As It Gets ("Phil". "Phil" is strong for topline and type, especially head type. He goes back directly to 2 dogs (sire and grandsire) who were strong for great topline and beautiful type, CH Vom Sonnenhouse Kruggerand, and Belg. CH Grave Kapenborgh.

Axel offers lovely color, nice angles front and rear, beautiful type, very nice movement, correct eye shape, and a nearly flawless health testing background. He is particularly strong for elbows, having all normal parents AND grandparents, along with 2 normal great grand parents. This is important because as some of you may or may not know, Penny has one elbow DJD Grade 1, and her side of the pedigree is NOT strong for elbows.

Axel's dam is very strong for topline.

Here is the pedigree:

http://redyrerottweilers.bravehost.com/pennyaxel.html

And a couple photos of Axel....

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a22/RedyreRotties/AxelHeadhshotFront.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a22/RedyreRotties/AxelAOMCRC.jpg

I have personally seen and had my hands on most of the dogs behind Axel.

He should help Penny with eye shape, topline, shoulder lay, angles, and mouthpigment.

Line breeding on Phil, even that distantly, I could see a few puppies with a rounder eye. That is where Penny's is coming from, however, since Axel has such a distinct almond eye, there should be some puppies who do have correct eye shape. It's also possible I would see a puppy with a soft topline, not the desired head type, or markings that are lighter than you want. Puppies displaying these faults might be placed as companions or working prospects, depending on the severity of the fault.

However, Phil was strong for topline and type, especially head type, so he brings some very good things to the table. Phil's sire and grand sire were also dogs of gorgeous type with very good toplines, and very good producers.

Axel's dam has a beautiful correct topline as well, so I would expect good things with improvement there.

All in all, the pedigree looks very promising. If all goes well in the next several months, Penny will finish her AKC CH title, and earn her Rally Novice obedience title. We are also working on herding, and plan to go on to finish her AKC obedience titles through Utility.

She will be 2 July 28th, and shortly thereafter I will have her final OFA hip and elbow films done. She will also have another CERF test, and an Doppler echocardiogram done on her heart.

Should all go as planned, I look for January 07 puppies.

Puppies learn not to bite when you teach them.

The first thing this puppy would be learning at my house would be who is in charge. NOT HER. She would drag a line in the house when she is loose so I could control her. She would not be allowed to disrespect the other humans in the house, including the children, and children would not be allowed to "dis" the dog either. Each must learn limits and proper behavior.

This puppy would be on a rank reduction living schedule until further notice if she were mine:

http://www.sonic.net/~cdlcruz/GPCC/library/alpha.htm

When the biting in uncontrollable, I would restrain her head in this manner:



Hold the muzzle and the collar right up behind the ears at the same time. If this is done properly, you can control a LARGE dog with one hand. So when she goes ballistic, restrain her head, look her in the eye, and say in a very low and growly tone, NO BITE. A normal puppy will look away, put it's ears back, lick out it's tongue, and in general demonstrate to you in dog talk that they understand you are the boss. Anytime you have to give this sort of correction, it should be followed by a 10 minute time out in the crate so that she can simmer down and lose some of her excitement. Be matter of fact about putting her in the crate, and also about letting her out. No making up. The alpha is entitled to demand a certain level of behavior from subordinates who live in the house.

I do not practice nor recommend alpha rolling.

Teach her bite inhibition and the leave it command using these methods:

http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm
http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/spt/SPT_Puppies.htm

BUT body handling is excellent practice and should be done on all puppies. Gently lay the puppy on her side and hold her there with one hand on her neck/scruff, and one hand on her flank, with her back toward you.  Ignore struggles. Just hold her firmly but gently. No eye contact. As she begins to relax, start to massage and rub her with your hands, while you verbally soothe her. If she begins to struggle again, get quiet, and hold firmly but gently until she relaxes again. Work until she is very relaxed, and you can massage and knead and rub all over her. Back. Head. Chest. Legs. Once she is completely relaxed, inspect mouth, ears, feet, touch each toenail, and check under the tail.

Then turn her over and do the other side. This exercise will generally take 15 to 20 minutes to complete. DO NOT begin it if for ANY reason you won't be able to complete it.

You should do this at least once per week, and twice a week is better. W ith toy breeds, you can do it with them in your lap, and practice grooming at the same time.

I recommend you seek out training class with this puppy immediately. She is smart with a high activity level. If she is properly managed from now on, she will make a superb companion dog.

If not, she will be a problem. Most problem dogs are the smart ones who just were not trained, socialized, and managed properly.

Good luck with her, puppyhood is not a real fun time with some dogs, but if you work hard, it will surely be worth it!