Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Post-Holiday Update

We hope and pray that everyone had a blessed and safe holiday. We were quite busy getting puppies to destinations far and wide. We actually decided to post-pone celebrations so we could relax and enjoy our 'festivities' at a leisurely pace. However, we still had the satisfaction of being able to add joy to families through the love of a puppy.


Belle, the Japanese Schipperke, went to Cynthia in Chicago.

Harry, Blue Boy Wheaten, went to Ferrell and family in Kansas City.

Pumpkin, Orange Girl Wheaten, went to Kathy and family near Boston.

Barley, Pink Girl Wheaten, is going to Paddy and family in Alabama in early January.

(yet to be named), Chinese Sheltie, went to new in-laws in Tennessee.

Mittens, Orange Girl Boston Schipperke, is going to Denise and family in Mossouri.

(yet to be named), Tricia's Girl Chinese Crested, is going to Tonya in Mississippi.

(yet to be named), Blue Boy Boston Schipperke, to Shane and family in Little Rock, AR !!!

Thanks to everyone for the patience and support during this very busy time :-)

Anyway, just to update on who is still available. . .



Wheatens: Red Girl, Yellow Girl, and Green Boy
Yellow Girl, who is clearly pouting, is really finding her personality and turning into quite the snuggler. She still doesn't care for the hair dryer ;-)

Red Girl has toned down her terrier attitude and really likes to be with her people. This makes it very difficult to take her picture, but a lot of fun to play. I think she will be fine with most any family.


And the Green Boy. . .



Green Boy had a quick brushing instead of his day at the spa. At the last photo session he was too busy playing to cooperate, and this proved a similar experience. He is 100% good time, all the time!

Boston Schipperkes: Red Girl
This spunky little girl is a lot fun. She likes to keep track of where her people are and what they are doing. She is outgoing and loves to play. She will be under 12 lbs and has the sturdy build from the Boston Terrier. She will make a great addition to any family.


and my favorite little guy, the Crested Boston Chin:




This boy is a perfect combination of play time and snuggle time. He is smart and loves people. (And yes, he poses himself!)

Newly available are Kierra's beautiful baby Chinese Cresteds:

The Girls

The Boy

And upcoming in February are Stitches' (most incredibly CUTE) baby Shelties

and Doll's Chinese Crested Puff male that is being spoiled rotten.

As always, our babies are raised with our family and receive the bio-sensor training and acclimation exercises. Now you see why we've been a little busy!

If you have any further questions about how we raise our babies or about a particular puppy, feel free to write me at brownscreekkennels@gmail.com, or give me a call.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Featuring: Wheaten Girls DOB 9/3/09

Here is a quick review of the girls born to Ronin and Riley on Sept 3, 2009. (The boys will be featured tomorrow. )


Riley, mother


Below is Orange Girl. She is the smallest of the litter, but that may not mean that she will be the smallest adult. She is very playful and outgoing - a lot in a small package!























This is Yellow Girl. She is one of the 2 larger girls, but she may not be the largest when they are adults. She has the most quiet personality and i feel she would do better in a setting with quiet children or adults. She is still very interested in her surroundings, but more laid back.





















This is Pink Girl. She is the other larger girl. She has a semi-quiet personality but still enjoys a good play time.




















This is Red Girl. She is the second smallest of the litter, at this time. She likes to try to be bossy with her litter mates, even though most are bigger. She loves to romp and play, and could keep the kids busy! I predict that she will have a little more of the terrier personality and will be a good match with a family who has experience with dog behaviour and training, as well as a yard.


















Like all Wheatens, the puppies were born dark and will lighten to their adult color by about 6 months of age. The texture of the hair will change as they mature into adulthood. My wheatens are all a creamy white color known as Wheaten. A common 'marking' on Wheatens is the dark muzzle (nose). None of my adults have this darkness, even though all babies show this trait.

An interesting fact: When a Wheaten has a skin injury, the hair will grow in dark like the puppy color and then change to the adult color after healing of the skin and growth of the hair.

As always, please e-mail me with any questions you may have, even if you haven't purchased a puppy from me. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

New Arrivals!

Well, after the last couple of failed attempts for Riley to have a litter, we had talked about placing her in a new home. Imagine our surprise when we realized the last try had succeeded!



A little 'biographical' info on the new arrivals. . . Their parents are AKC registered (Wheaten Terriers - obviously). Their dad is Ronin and their mom is Riley. On Sept 3, 2009, Riley gave birth to 4 girls and 2 boys. They are beautiful and doing quite well. They've already had one trip to the vet for dewclaw removal and check-up at 4 days, dewormed at 2 weeks, and completed their official bio-sensor training on day 16. Did I mention that they've learned how to get out of the doggie bed?! It has been a busy three weeks!



These are just a few pictures, but for more visit brownscreekkennels.shutterfly.com. I have not listed the pups on nextdaypets.com, but I've sent this blog update to a few people who've made inquiries. These pups will be a little more due to the price of registration with AKC, and as usual the cost of the flight will be additional.



I will be updating the blog on a regular basis, and will prob list on nextdaypets in the next week or so. If anyone would like more info, please feel free to contact me.

Thanks for sharing in our excitement!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Road Trip! (sorta)

Yesterday we loaded all the babies and went to town.

This trip included several stops starting with the vet. We went for a general check-up, and he was impressed with how much they've grown and said they look great.




Our subsequent stops included the following: Sonic, library, Taco Bell, Wal-Mart, Sonic (don't ask) and home. All together we were gone for about 3.5 hrs. We had only one whiner, and I regret to tell you it was Dk Pink girl (who has become my personal girl favorite). She was front and center at the door of the crate to see everything (which has been her personality), but she did have a low constant whine. Matthew even commented how amazing it is that she can pant and whine at the same time! I think her thing is wanting to be with the people. BTW, when we got to the vet and they opened the door, the asst let them come out on their own, Dk Pink girl was first, followed by Blue boy and then Yellow girl. The others couldn't care less and had to be lifted out.





This was a very good experience to be away from mom and have a new experience AND a pleasant vet experience. Kristie was not happy when we were loading up and everyone was fussing, and she was very happy to get her babies back. When they got home they were very, VERY happy to see mommy and nurse like little babies. They're so big, but so little. I just can't imagine that people sell them at this age.

Anyway, just wanted to let you know about our outing.

Have a great day!

Karen

Monday, April 20, 2009

Hmmm. . .

Maybe I have the pics uploaded correctly now? Let me know if they aren't there (brownscreekkennels.shutterfly.com) .

Apparently I'm having unusual computer difficulty.

Even though Matthew had to help me, I'm sure it's not operator error. (whistling, looking around. . . )

Take care,
Karen

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Spa Treatment! (bath time)

Yesterday was a wide new world for the puppies - their first full bath!!! We started with a nice shallow tub of warm water, a little shampoo, and then a full rinse. I kept it short and sweet and everyone did well. There was no clamoring to get out or real distress. One of them would give a little whine, but that was all.

After bath we took them to my bathroom and put them in my shower stall (aka 'holding tank') to wait until it was their turn to be brushed and blown dry. Everyone did fantastic. The yellow girl snugged down, the pink girl stretched out and went to sleep. The camo boy was indifferent, the blue boy was curious and exploring, and the black boy wanted to play non-stop with the air, the fingers, the brush, the towel, etc. . . The point i want you take away is this. . . as a direct result of bio-sensor training and constant interaction, the bath, hair dryer, and pictures, all while being away from mom for the longest time ever, was TOTALLY non-stressful. You would have been so impressed. And by the time we do this weekly just think of how that will carry over to regular grooming as an adult. Your groomer will kiss you!

And yes, i said 'pictures'! Be sure to go to brownscreekkennels.shutterfly.com and look at how much they've grown. I couldn't believe it when i looked at comparisons. (There are 50 pics to a 'page' on shutterfly, so be sure to look at the next page so you don't miss any - the tab is in the upper right on the shutterfly page).

I'll go for now. Please be letting my know what you are looking for in a personality and i will help direct you. As far as i can tell, we've got one of each that is very outgoing, 1000% all the time. We've also got the laid back and watch the world go 'round type, then somewhere in between.

All in all, this was a very good first experience - i was so proud of them! Next week we go to the vet for a check-up without mom!

Take care,
Karen

PS Thank you for the sweet note - surgery went well (and i love surgery vacation - any vacation!)

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Quick Update on Wheatens

Hi, Everyone,

First off, I want to thank everyone for their patience. I can't believe it's been a week since i wrote!

The puppies are doing great. I snapped a few pictures tonight. They aren't very good, but you just had to see how cute!

I changed their 'housing' from the whelping box to a large wire dog crate. This way then can start venturing out of the sleeping area to eat and potty. (whew!) They are starting to eat/play with moistened puppy food - but mom really likes it, too, so i have to close her out for a little while so they have a chance.

I'm already seeing little personality traits emerging. The light pink girl likes to sit back and take everything in. The blue boy is always the one that has ventured out of the crate (this morning he got in mom's food dish and couldn't get out - his belly got 'high-centered' - too cute!) The black boy has enjoyed dinner from day one. And he learned that he can sleep sooo good on his back. If there's ever a puppy sleeping on it's back, it will be him.

AS far as deposits, this is what i have so far (and there may be others - i've got to check the PO Box). Brian did decide to go with a female, and he will have first pick of the girls. Kelly will have second pick of the girls. Sara has moved up to first pick of the males. ;-)

I've never posted pics, so here goes:







I'll have better ones soon. I just wanted to give you a little something to hang onto ;-D

Karen

PS I haven't checked my e-mail yet, in case you're wondering why i may not have answered a particular question. Tiffany, I did get yours. If there's anything I can help with, let me know.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Wheatens - a generic update

Hi, Everyone!

I'm so excited to posting a 'regular' post on the new blog (my first blog ever!).

I have not taken pics this week - i hope to do that this evening (along with the other forty-eleven other things ;-)

You would not believe how much the babies are growing. They are weighing around 1lb, 11oz. Last week it was right at a pound!

I have received a deposit from Brian and Sara - each for a male. (Brian, let me know for sure if that is right). Since I had so many people contacting me and sending me deposits around the same time, I'm going by post mark. I know that a couple others have sent deposits. I haven't gone to the PO since Monday, but I promise I'll go this evening.

I've had a crazy, hectic week. For the past few months I've had severe intermittent nausea. Finally a nurse friend suggested an ultrasound which showed a large gallstone. I went to the surgeon (back across the state) for a consult yesterday and will be having surgery the week of the 13th. I'll keep everyone posted. (no pun intended ;-) )

I'll be trying to get some pics this evening.

Take Care,
Karen

Monday, March 30, 2009

Wheaten Update 3/25/09

A quick update on the pups. They are so cute and growing so fast. Most of them have at least one eye partially open and their little ears are now in a more normal puppy position. I had them outside on a blanket today for pictures and when they got close to the edge and bumped into a blade of grass they wanted to nurse! Also, they can stand and take a few steps, but then they dive forward or over. They are puppy toddlers!

The pictures are funny because it takes my son and i both to handle them and it's still a juggling act to get a decent picture. You can tell they are not cooperative! My next set I'll try to get some individual pictures, but I've got a big exam tomorrow so i just wanted to get some kind of update for everyone.

Anyway, be sure to look at the new pictures from today at brownscreekkennels.shutterfly.com.

Wheaten Hair Type

Wheatens can have two different types of hair (notice i said 'hair' not fur) The two types of coats are Irish and English/American. I used to have one female that was the American type, but that has been my only experience. Her hair was much more coarse. Not really like wire like some terriers but just coarse, kind of like a human's gray hair (not that i have any first hand experience with gray ;-) . . .) She also was more prone to matting. All of my Irish types have silky, almost slick, shiny hair. You still need to brush the Irish type, but it just seems easier to manage. The American type was just always more thick, coarse and never had the shine. Her biggest drawback was that she shed - not a lot, but still. . . when you want a Wheaten for the non-shed, you don't want any shedding. And because she shed, i assume she was not as hypoallergenic, though that is my own personal theory. We had one litter and i decided that that was just not what i wanted, so i placed her in a good home.

Purebred vs Hybrid/Mutt

While we're on generalities of health, I'll tell you my opinion on pure breed vs mutt. Many times mutts do seem to be healthier, esp compared to breeds that have endured a popular phase. The popularity increases the likelihood that puppy mills will have the breed and reproduce without regard to health, relationship, or any responsibility on their part (contracts). As you increase the number of dogs breeding, you naturally increase the odds that a mutation will show up. If that mutation shows up with a disreputable breeder and they breed anyway, then they have just passed on the possibility of that mutation being established in the population of that breed. That can be multiplied if they breed dogs that are related and both have the mutation. So, that is one aspect of why it often seems that pure breeds are not as healthy. This has been a great selling point of people that purposefully breed mutts and call them 'designer dogs' under the guise that they are a hybrid with "hybrid vigor.' (BTW, they are not a hybrid or the offspring would not be able to reproduce. The added 'vigor' is the fact they have reduced the likelihood of both parents having the same mutations. Therefore the odds of something predictable showing up in that particular puppy are decreased BUT the odds of something unexpected have increased. The puppy can still carry the recessive traits of both/all breeds involved and pass it on to their offspring. I won't even get started on all the recognizable mixes (and purebreds) dumped every day. . . ). Examples of breeds with a lot of health problems are the breeds in the top 10 or 20, or breeds with a very 'unnatural' physical characteristic (think: dachshunds and bassets with the long back, or pugs with the flat face and bulging eyes).

Of coarse, if you pick a breed that is not well known (wheatens, cresteds ;-) ) then you have a breed with very few health problems. They are generally raised by people that care and won't continue breeding a dog that has problems. The benefit of a pure breed vs mutt is that you know pretty well what to expect long term from your little ball-of-fur-puppy, both in personality and health. With a mutt, it is anybody's guess. If a person is willing to stick it out, then fine, but I've always liked calculated risks better. With a wheaten they have basically only 2 health issues. Skin allergies and protein wasting. None of my dogs have ever displayed any indication of either and I certainly wouldn't breed one if it did. I would have it neutered and place it in a pet home. Personality wise, i can pretty much promise that you will always get a "Wheaten Greet'in" when you get home. I don't know why, but this breed is know for loving to jump up on you and give kisses. I don't personally care for the kisses (they have to settle for fingers) and we have to work around the jumping if I'm dressed up (which is so rare it makes the dogs bark anyway . . ha ha!) It is true that they stay very playful and puppy like all their life and really don't have the typical terrier personality. Mine even get along fine with the cats, even though they weren't raised together (however, my cats don't run from the dogs, so that may be why the dogs don't chase the cats).

Wheaten Born 03/09/09 Basics

Here's the basic puppy info in a nutshell:

· Wheatens are truly non-shedding and hypo-allergenic
· Both parents available on the premises
· Puppies whelped 03-09-09
· Dewclaws removed and tails docked to breed standard length
· Home raised w/ kids and other pets
· Bio-sensor stimulated/trained
· Paper trained
· Irish Coat type
· ACA registered
· Four generation pedigree included
· First shots and dewormed
· Vet Health Certificate (heart, respiratory, ears, eyes, neg parasites/infections)
· $750 includes 1 Year Health Guarantee
· Deposit and payment plan available
· Shipping available in the continental United States
· References available

I have pictures available at brownscreekkennels.shutterfly.com. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions.

Choosing Your Puppy

When the puppies are born I help clean them up and put colored ribbons around their neck. The colors coordinate with their birth order when possible and helps me track the puppies' progress and any concerns that may develop. It also helps in learning their new little developing/emerging personalities. I take baby pictures often and the ribbons make it possible for you to recognize your puppy in the pictures.

As far as picking a puppy long distance, I was skeptical at first. I thought that there was no way that anyone would be interested, but so far everyone has been very satisfied. If you think about it, when you go to a pet store or even the breeder, you are interacting only a very short time with the puppy and the breeder. In my situation, you see pictures day in and day out and I develop a relationship with the new owner that gives me a good feel for what their household dynamics are like. As we talk I start to get an idea of what you are looking for in a puppy.

So far, every time someone has looked at the pics and asked me questions, they have picked the same puppy without me ever telling them my opinion (of course, i am always happy to tell and guide you, too). I have even told people when i thought i didn't have a pup that would be a good match. I want you to be happy, and most of all, i want the puppy to go to someone that will be a loving family and a great home for a very long time.

Having said all that, i don't feel there is any disadvantage to picking the puppy on-line.

Pricing - Wheaten

OK, the pricing. I didn't have a set formula. Everytime I've ever seen Wheatens listed in the paper, they've been $850 and you don't know how they were raised. When i got on the Internet and saw some cheaper, i looked into it and believe that mine are better quality, raised with a lot of extra input, etc. So, i was kinda going for a middle, but with some compensation for all we put into them. Additionally, i didn't want careless breeders to buy one of my dogs because it was cheaper. I want each one mine to go to home where the people have every intention of keeping them as a family pet their whole life.

Wheaten puppies are $750, with males and females being the same price. Generally, people that price females higher have a 'puppy mill' mentality. My Wheaten puppies are ACA registered and nice quality, but not 'show' dogs. I have been fortunate to have very healthy lines that do not have any of the illnesses to which Wheatens are predisposed (ie, skin allergies and protein wasting). Even though (or because) there is no history of illness, I do include a 1 year health guarantee against any congenital or genetic defects that states that i will refund the price of the dog if that were to occur. I have not had any puppies micro chipped because i assume that if a person is interested, they would speak directly with their vet. If that is something you would like me to have done, that is certainly possible. The cost would be just the amount the vet would charge and the cost to register the ID number/pet with the service. Dew claw removal and tail docking is always done and already included in the cost of the puppy.

I do understand that sometimes life changes and you can't keep the dog for whatever reason. Included in the contract is the fact that I'm willing (even request) that the dog be returned to me no matter what or how long it has been. I will even refund your money when the dog has been placed in another home. This has happened once, and the waiting period was surprisingly short.

You can reserve your puppy for a small deposit in the amount of your choice, but the deposit is non-refundable. After you send the deposit, you can then make payments or wait until the puppy is ready to go to pay the balance. If you are the first person to send a deposit and you want a female, then you get first pick of the females. I generally like people to make their selection by 5 or 6 weeks of age. This gives the puppy time to develop a personality, but doesn't keep all the people in line behind you waiting for too long. There is no extra charge for me to hold the puppy a few more weeks, and in fact, i will work on some extras like leash training, etc. I only ask that the puppy is paid for in full by 8 weeks of age.

Shipping anywhere in the continental united states is fairly easy. I have actually shipped a puppy to New Hampshire for an anniversary (or wife's birthday?) present on a 1 day notice, so last minute arrangements are possible, though not my preference. As far as airlines, I have used American Airlines and Delta. My preference is generally Delta, but it depends on your location and the availability of flights. I try to book direct flights that will arrive at a time that allows for convenience on both ends while keeping the puppy safe and comfortable. If you have a specific day that you want the puppy to arrive, like a birthday ;-), i can probably arrange it with enough advance notice. I'm not sure of the exact price, but last spring it was ~ $275. As we get closer to the date, or if you decide you definitely want one of our puppies, i can get a more accurate price.

This is my pricing disclaimer: All prices are subject to change for any reason (or no reason). The price of the puppy may vary per litter, the shipping cost will be dependent on airlines and gasoline, or I may end up charging a small fee for
keeping the puppy extra time (I've never charged before, I'm just sayin' I might in the future). That's about it - that wasn't too bad.

Please feel free to contact me with any further questions.

Wheatens, Cresteds and Shelties - Oh, my!

I thought I would give everyone a quick look at the breeds that i have, and why.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier:
A few years ago i became interested in getting a puppy, but my son had severe allergies. So after a lot of research I found the Wheatens. When a breeder with a nice group of healthy, quality Wheatens was having to sell her all of her dogs, i took advantage of the opportunity. I have not been sorry one day. They are wonderful dogs that are never in a bad mood and when i bring them in the house there is no shedding or doggie odor. Most importantly, there are no allergies for my son.

So here are few highlights about the breed. They are truly non-shedding and hypo-allergenic (as opposed to Labradoodles who shed less than a Labrador but A LOT more than a poodle or wheaten). At times we have a mom and pups inside for up to 10 weeks. They are a beautiful blond (wheat) color and I often use a black crate inside. There is not one hair in that crate by the end of their stay inside. I shed more than than they do! Besides those obvious benefits (non-shedding and hypoallergenic), Wheatens also don't have that doggie odor. Personality wise, they are the least terrier-like of all the terriers, and stay very playful and like a puppy their whole life. They are famous for their 'Wheaten Greetin' - a playful jump at the very sight of you. They will bark at a stranger, but then they just want to visit and play. They were originally used as good all-round farm and family dogs that could hunt, herd and defend, and they are still great family dogs to this day.

Chinese Crested:
I currently have a very nice group of Chinese Cresteds (show quality), which i became interested in after the Wheatens. I was attracted to the Crested's hypo-allergenic qualities and their unique look packaged in a small size. Chinese Cresteds are a low to non-shed breed and also hypoallergenic. They come in 2 coat varieties - puff and hairless. These are not 2 different breeds, just a genetic variation of one breed. A puff coat will have a very low amount of shedding, and do not have the doggie odor. A hairless will have little to no shedding, obviously.

The Crested personality is very sweet and quite comical at times. They are very people oriented and love to please. They do want to be with their people - the more the better. A Crested is very happy to sit in your lap as long as you are willing, or follow you anywhere you go. I have several one that go to the barn with me to check on horses or anything else i might need to do outside. They are very smart and easy to train, esp for a little breed. And of course, it's fun to dress the hairless in different outfits - and they are willing to play along for the warmth. A Crested makes a very nice purse puppy, but esp a companion that is always willing to share the couch.

Shetland Sheepdog:
Shelties were not in the non-shed, hypo-allergenic plan i had for my kennel, but here they are anyway ;-). My first dog was a Sheltie named Joy. She was so smart and intuitive that we called her a 'Sheltie Person.' When my mother first became ill we taught Joy sign language and trained her to go find the other person. Once you have a Sheltie they always hold a special place in your heart.

A couple of months ago an acquaintance called and told me that their family friend had broken her back and needed someone to take her Shelties. Since i love Shelties and I'm a sucker for a sob story, i now have her dogs. The group is very mild mannered and sweet, and not barkers (sometimes Shelties have a tendency to bark a lot, esp when there's been irresponsible breeding). Several are nice quality and meet the breed standard, but a few fall short. We'll be looking into which ones to breed over next few months.

Shelties are members of the herding group. As such, they are very in tune with their owners, but they also think independently. Shelties often find something to herd on their own, and will circle their owners when going for walks, or circle a group of kids to try to bunch them together. 'Sassy' is the word that comes to mind for a Sheltie. ;-) They will shed a little throughout the year, but esp when the warmer weather causes them to shed their winter coat (or when a female goes into heat).


I have also raised Skye Terriers and Schipperkes in the past. I still have some connections for them and like them, but no longer breed them.

If you have more questions about the breeds that I have, please feel free to ask.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Special Delivery!

Here's a closer look at what we do in final preparation for the puppies' arrival.

About 2 weeks before a momma dog is due I bring her inside. I fix a whelping box or crate that opens into a puppy exercise pen with paper. If it's winter I include a special heating pad made for dogs so that the new pups don't get a chill if they are inadvertently pushed to the edge. This arrangement is placed in the nook between the kitchen and the den. This way we can keep a close eye on mom and babies and they are exposed to a variety of sights and sounds.

As far as the mom's preparation, she needs to bathed and have a hair cut (either partial on her underside, or a full clip). I check for fleas/ticks, deworm her and transition her to a high quality puppy food. Then we wait and watch!

When the puppies are born I help clean them up (assuming I'm home and it's not 3am). I put colored ribbons around their neck that coordinate with their birth order when possible. This helps me track the puppies' progress and makes it easy to monitor any concerns that may develop. Also, it helps later on with recognizing their unique emerging personalities and allows people to easily recognize which puppy they have picked.

Three days old is an important milestone in a puppy's life. At three days old they and their mother are dewormed again. They also go to the vet for dewclaw removal and tail docking. This is something I could do at home, but I like the idea of the vet handling them and giving them a quick check. Three days is also when we begin bio-sensor training. This is a program developed by the military in the 70's for the military police dogs. Basically, it's founded on the idea that there is a special window of time in a puppy's life that they are very sensitive and receptive to stimulation. Five simple exercises are performed for five seconds each on a daily basis on days 3 thru 16. They found that the puppy develops faster and stronger, but most importantly they are better able to handle stress as an adult, have improved health and therefore they live longer. While this program has been around 30+ yrs, it is not widely known. Here's a link for more info http://www.breedingbetterdogs.com/achiever.html or you can just Google a search for 'bio-sensor training' or ‘super dog training’.

At 3 weeks we do a deworming on the puppies and again on mom and repeat the deworming at 5 weeks. I use Panacur because it so safe and does not cause abdominal cramping. Then we give the first puppy shots at 6 weeks. I always, ALWAYS buy my shots from the vet so that I can be assured that they have been handled correctly.

After the initial vaccination the puppies start making short outings to the play pen in the yard both with and without mom to start getting use to being away from her. We also go for short drives and take them to the vet for a health check-up. However, we don't really wean them until 8 weeks. I feel they learn a lot of basic doggie manners from their mom during that extra 2 weeks. A lot of people wean at 6 weeks, and it IS a lot more work (did I mention they're in the kitchen all of this time?!?). There is also a lot more expense to keep them the extra 2 weeks, but it is so good for them physically and emotionally. They get a lot of exposure to different noises and environments as well as opportunities to interact with our other dogs, cats and even horses. Most importantly, every vet I've ever spoken with has strongly advised that the pups stay with their mom until 8 weeks - they have never suggested that there is ever a time when it is okay for it to be earlier.

When the time comes for the puppy to be shipped or picked up, I take them to the vet one last time for a health certificate. The health certificate is an official check-up for the department of agriculture for an animal to be transported across state lines. This is a very thorough exam that will be done within 10 days before shipping and includes mouth, eyes, ears, heart, respiratory and a check for parasites.

Occasionally someone needs me to keep a puppy a little longer than 8 weeks so that the puppy arrives at a time that coincides with a vacation time or special event. I don't mind doing that on occasion, and we even try to work in a few little extras like leash training and extra trips to the public along with the usual daily life in the country (think cats, horses, goats, etc).

Well, that's our 'puppy schedule'. Our puppies are just very nice all the way around and quite exceptional in their disposition. The moms are pampered and do not have more than 1 litter per year. I have a small kennel operation and it is rare to have more than one mom delivering at a time. This allows me to devote the time to them that they deserve. I believe all of these factors are why we have such healthy adults and puppies and why they are so well adjusted.

If there are any areas i haven't covered, please feel free to leave a comment for me or to e-mail me at brownscreekkennels@gmail.com

Saturday, March 28, 2009

About the People!

This post is just to tell you a little about my family so you know the puppies' environment. My mom, myself and my son lived together until recently. When my grandfather passed away we moved across the state to the old family farm to be with my grandmother. We now all live within 100 ft of each other. :-S

On weekends I work 40 hrs at a hospital as a medical lab tech. Sometimes this schedule stinks, but most of the time it is great because I have a lot of days in a row at home to do the big 'maintenance' chores. It also allows a lot of flexibility for taking pups to the airport. On top of it all, I have a great boss that understands if the puppies have to 'call in'. ;-)

Speaking of my weird schedule, if you call on the weekend (Friday evening - Monday noon) you most likely won't get an answer. I will return your call Monday, but e-mail is the most effective means of communication on the weekends.

My son, Matthew, is my delight. He is 14 yo and we home-school during the week. Without his help, the dogs and puppies would not be so well cared for and socialized. And this is done without grumbling and complaining (99% of the time!).

My mom is disabled (mildly) and is home all the time. On weekends she helps with my son and, of course, puppies. Her help and 20+ years of medical/vet experience is greatly appreciated.

Because of our unique living arrangement and schedule, the puppies get interaction throughout the day, every day.

If you want to see a picture of us, go to brownscreekkennels.shutterfly.com. You'll be relieved to know we don't have a 3rd eye or anything. ;-)

Introduction to Blog

I wanted to start this blog so that people interested in learning more about our dogs and puppies would have a place to go in search of answers and information. I also wanted to have a convenient way for you to get up to the minute information on a litter or puppy that you may be following. If you don't see something you need, please post a comment or e-mail. I look forward to helping you find the puppy that's right for you.