At this moment, these THREE are the puppies are still looking for a new home:
Missy, Sis, Annie (You can see many photos of them here.)
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| Missy |
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| Sis (Sissy) |
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| Annie |
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Three Puppies Left ... empty nest sydrome
It is hard to believe that the puppies will be Eight weeks old this Friday, and one by one will be with their exciting new families.(Five of the Eight have found new homes.) We love them and will miss them but we are happy to have more time to spend with Shiloh. She has been a wonderful mother.
At this moment, these THREE are the puppies are still looking for a new home:
Missy, Sis, Annie (You can see many photos of them here.)
At this moment, these THREE are the puppies are still looking for a new home:
Missy, Sis, Annie (You can see many photos of them here.)
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Are they House Trained? And the Bernese Mountain Dog Mind.
We use the "puppy pads" to help the puppies get the idea that there is a special place "where" they should go... which is the first step to fully house trained. We are not experts in this, but we think the maturity required for the puppy does not kick in until after weaning, which is just happening... we can see the puppy-maturity changing almost daily.
Up until the puppies stop nursing and are weaned, the puppies believe that they are "part" of the mother (and a few short weeks ago they were!). During this time (nursing), the mother controls even 'potty training' in her own doggy way. Our puppies stopped nursing at about 6-1/2 to 7 weeks and the mother took the lead on this (see the second video). So the puppies are just weaned, and they are just maturing and beginning to understand that they are now their own (puppy) person (no longer part of Mom), and so they are just learning that with this independence comes certain (puppy) responsibilities to the humans in their lives (the 'pack'). A characteristic of the Bernese, is that they come to believe that they are part of your family (or, from Bernese puppy perspecitve, you are part of their 'pack').
We have worked to socialize your puppy... and that includes working on potty habits. We spend one-on-one time with each puppy... but with eight puppies that fun task is limited in time... and when we do have them individually like that, we watch and listen for the signs of 'needing to go' (like trying to get out of your lap, acting anxious, panting), and we take that opportunity to direct them to the puppy pad which is in the entry way. With multiple puppies it gets more difficult (see the most recent video "Video #2"))... although the puppies generally do ok at finding and hitting the puppy pad... or close to it. :)
Bernese do not like to go potty in their habitation, so training them is just taking advantage of this momentum and encouraging them.
You will be completing this training. One big advantage to this is that, it will be individualized based on the way you communicate, the way your home is organized, and exactly what expectations you have for your puppy.
A note about Bernese puppy training and discipline... we have read, and it is our experience, that the Bernese responds almost 100% to positive reinforcement. The strongest negative discipline we have ever used with Shiloh is to ignor her, which is sort of "neutral discipline". We encourage you to read up on this side of the breed. Bernese are like no other dog, which is why they are so loved. (There are good links elsewhere on the blog. )
Anyway, that is my thinking on the Bernese Mountain Dog, based on what I have read, based on what our daughter has told us, and based on our experience.
Up until the puppies stop nursing and are weaned, the puppies believe that they are "part" of the mother (and a few short weeks ago they were!). During this time (nursing), the mother controls even 'potty training' in her own doggy way. Our puppies stopped nursing at about 6-1/2 to 7 weeks and the mother took the lead on this (see the second video). So the puppies are just weaned, and they are just maturing and beginning to understand that they are now their own (puppy) person (no longer part of Mom), and so they are just learning that with this independence comes certain (puppy) responsibilities to the humans in their lives (the 'pack'). A characteristic of the Bernese, is that they come to believe that they are part of your family (or, from Bernese puppy perspecitve, you are part of their 'pack').
We have worked to socialize your puppy... and that includes working on potty habits. We spend one-on-one time with each puppy... but with eight puppies that fun task is limited in time... and when we do have them individually like that, we watch and listen for the signs of 'needing to go' (like trying to get out of your lap, acting anxious, panting), and we take that opportunity to direct them to the puppy pad which is in the entry way. With multiple puppies it gets more difficult (see the most recent video "Video #2"))... although the puppies generally do ok at finding and hitting the puppy pad... or close to it. :)
Bernese do not like to go potty in their habitation, so training them is just taking advantage of this momentum and encouraging them.
You will be completing this training. One big advantage to this is that, it will be individualized based on the way you communicate, the way your home is organized, and exactly what expectations you have for your puppy.
A note about Bernese puppy training and discipline... we have read, and it is our experience, that the Bernese responds almost 100% to positive reinforcement. The strongest negative discipline we have ever used with Shiloh is to ignor her, which is sort of "neutral discipline". We encourage you to read up on this side of the breed. Bernese are like no other dog, which is why they are so loved. (There are good links elsewhere on the blog. )
Anyway, that is my thinking on the Bernese Mountain Dog, based on what I have read, based on what our daughter has told us, and based on our experience.
Posted Photos of All Eight Puppies
Four of the puppies have sold, and when that happens, PuppyFind asks us to remove the listing for that puppy, and that means the photos with the listing too. So my husband posted the photos for all eight puppies on our photo site. Here is the link:
http://www.flickr.com/x/t/0091002/photos/77270365@N02/
http://www.flickr.com/x/t/0091002/photos/77270365@N02/
Sissy's "swiss Kiss" Marking (we call her Sis or Sissy)
The "Swiss Kiss" on the back of the head or neck is a special marking. Shiloh, the mother has this marking. When a puppy is born with the Swiss Kiss, sometimes it faces by the time they are weaned. This photo is taken of Sis at 7 weeks, and it is still a strong swiss kiss, so we think it will stay (her sister Missy also had the 'kiss' but it has faded a great deal, and is hard to see).
Monday, February 27, 2012
NEW VIDEO of Puppies and Mother
NEW VIDEO POSTED ON THE PHOTO SITE
Taken on February 27, 2012, when Shiloh's puppies are 7 weeks old. Watch the behavior of the mother and you will see two things going on.
(1) You will see the puppies flooding like a river to catch their mother when their exercise pen is opened. Then the innate herding behavior of the Bernese Mountain Dog kicks in as the mother turns and growls (lovingly) to stop the forward motion of the puppies who are getting too far from the nest. She then circles them to keep them together and leads them back to the nest (until my husband the cameraman calls her to him.)
And (2) the mother is weaning her pups, deftly evading her puppys' attempts to catch one last meal from mom.
BELOW: Photo Taken the same day... seven of the eight siblings (hard to get them all rounded up).:
Taken on February 27, 2012, when Shiloh's puppies are 7 weeks old. Watch the behavior of the mother and you will see two things going on.
(1) You will see the puppies flooding like a river to catch their mother when their exercise pen is opened. Then the innate herding behavior of the Bernese Mountain Dog kicks in as the mother turns and growls (lovingly) to stop the forward motion of the puppies who are getting too far from the nest. She then circles them to keep them together and leads them back to the nest (until my husband the cameraman calls her to him.)
And (2) the mother is weaning her pups, deftly evading her puppys' attempts to catch one last meal from mom.
BELOW: Photo Taken the same day... seven of the eight siblings (hard to get them all rounded up).:
Shiloh the Mother, Duke the Father
On the Left is Shiloh the Mother, and on the Right is Duke the Father. You can read more about them by clicking their link on this Blog
Friday, February 24, 2012
More Photos: Bernese Mommy and Six Week Old Puppy
We are posting more varied and larger photos on a the photo web site 'flickr'.
Click this link to see this our "Bernese Mountain Dog" photo site.
So far we only have Missy and Feather up on the site.
Click this link to see this our "Bernese Mountain Dog" photo site.
So far we only have Missy and Feather up on the site.
Puppy with Mother Febuary 22, 2012 (six weeks old)
Thursday, February 23, 2012
the "BIG EIGHT" . getting bigger but still Cuddly, Calm, Gentle, and fun to hold
Here is the image of all the puppies taken on Feb. 22, 2012 (at 6-1/2 weeks). This is the box we took them to the vet in. All their weights are over eight pounds now... up to a little over ten pounds. (This is a very large cardboard box, a washing machine base came in it.) The puppies are still very cuddly, calm, gentle and fun to hold.... two puppies make a lap-full. Now that they are beginning to find homes, we hold them all the more. But Shiloh, the momma, still gets a lot of attention, and a daily walk. Soon we will be a family of three again.
We have just taken a deposit for Pepe and Zorro --Thank you!
We have just taken a deposit for a new home (and family) for Pepe and Zorro, the two males in the litter. We just love Pepe, but we know he is going to a home where he is truely appreciated.
Duke ... the Father of the Puppies
The father of these puppies is "Duke" AKC Registered "Cherokee Grand Duke of EnGedi"
Duke is over 120 pounds. 25" tall at the withers (shoulders) andwill be 2 years old in April, 2012. Duke's temperment is very calm, not a "barker" and Duke is very very good with children of all ages.
Duke is over 120 pounds. 25" tall at the withers (shoulders) andwill be 2 years old in April, 2012. Duke's temperment is very calm, not a "barker" and Duke is very very good with children of all ages.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Today's Update
Today I weighed the pups by holding them while I got on my weight watcher's scale and subtracting my weight from that. I used to be able to use our postal scale but they outgrew it's maximum weight at 5.5 #'s about 10 days ago. The largest one now is Flicker at 10.3 #'s, Pepe came in close behind at 10.2, and then Zorro at 10 #'s. (Only a week ago he was the largest one of all!) The smallest one is Missy at 8.1 #'s.
Father (Sire) Duke
The father of these puppies is "Duke"
Duke lives in Bayard, Nebraska with our Daughter, Son-in-law and their five children .... they gave us Shiloh.
- AKC Registered "Cherokee Grand Duke of EnGedi"
- (see photos of Duke, above)
- Duke is over 120 pounds. 25" tall at the withers (shoulders)
- Duke will be 2 years old in April, 2012.
- Duke's temperment is very calm, not a "barker" and Duke is very very good with children of all ages.
Duke lives in Bayard, Nebraska with our Daughter, Son-in-law and their five children .... they gave us Shiloh.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Bloodlines and Health
- Puppys' Father: AKC Registered "Cherokee Grand Duke of EnGedi"
- Puppys' Mother: AKC Registered "Hebron Hope of Shiloh"
There are no hip Problems in Shiloh (puppies' mother) or Duke (puppies' father). Their grandmother Panda, who is almost 10 years old, does NOT have any joint or hip problems at all!!!
ABOUT BLOODLINES and CHAMPIONS:
Shiloh is the mother of these puppies.
--Shiloh's great grandfather on her father's side (the puppies' great, great grandfather) is the International Championship Showdog "Janipan - Hero of the Day" .
--Shiloh is also from championship European bloodlines through her mother Panda who was brought here from Czechoslovakia.
There are certain characteristics that make a classic Bernese Mountain Dog. Most important to many of us is the affectionate, confident, calm personality. Markings, eye color, and head profile are also important. Although our puppies are only a couple of generations removed from the Champion "Janipan Hero of the Day", we have Shiloh as a faithful compainion, and do not know very much about showing. But to those who want to know more about the breed and selecting a classic Bernese puppy Here are some Bernese pages to help. Here is another top notch Bernese link.
To us, they are all champions of our hearts!
Monday, February 20, 2012
A Trip to the Vet
I will be posting more photos of puppies, both here on this blog, and on puppy find.
(We had this idea that those who purchase puppies, if they care to, may contribute to this blog, thus becoming a longer term record of this family of puppies. ... we will give you access to post your puppy photos here on the blog.)
Today we took all eight puppies to the Vet for their first round of shots, and a checkup. We had a big box in the back seat, and they slept most of the way there and back.
My husband stayed in the car with the puppies, while I, and a Vet helper ferried them in four at a time. None of the puppies were frightened or upset by this. And even the needle prick was barely noticed.
(We had this idea that those who purchase puppies, if they care to, may contribute to this blog, thus becoming a longer term record of this family of puppies. ... we will give you access to post your puppy photos here on the blog.)
Today we took all eight puppies to the Vet for their first round of shots, and a checkup. We had a big box in the back seat, and they slept most of the way there and back.
My husband stayed in the car with the puppies, while I, and a Vet helper ferried them in four at a time. None of the puppies were frightened or upset by this. And even the needle prick was barely noticed.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Feather and Flicker "HOLD" ..... and a new video posted
Featherand Flicker just received a deposit, and are on "HOLD" on puppyfind THANK YOU.
Also, something a little different. We set up a photo gallery with the "idea" that we could post larger and more varied photos. (Thanks for the idea from the kind folks that put-down the deposit for Feather.)
NOT MUCH POSTED THERE YET... BUT ... We posted a short video taken today that gives you a really good perspective of the size and "cute" factor of these puppies at 7 weeks. Here is the link (I hope it works!)
LINK TO THE VIDEO and the future home of larger and more varied photos (eventually).
Socializing.... cuddling the puppies
We spend time every day "socializing" the puppies. Each one gets attention from a human every day. Playing and cuddling, triming toe nails, petting them in the pen. If someone (a puppy) is shy, we spend time getting to know them. (This one was so relaxed in my lap that she fell asleep on her back!)
Puppies keep us busy, and who can get tired of them?
About a month after we arrived home in the state of Washington with our new companion, it became clear (even to us!) that Shiloh was pregnant. We knew she could be when we picked her up from our daughter and son-in-law in Nebraska. Really, Shiloh belonged to our granddaughter Grace. Thank you Gracie! Shiloh's tummy grew bigger... and bigger. First litters (we read on the Internet) are typically 2 or 3 puppies. EIGHT puppies were born on January 7, 2012, we made a place for them in the large entryway in our home. We kept the area spic and span by daily replacement of their bed with freshly washed throw rugs. (Feather in the Foreground, Lulu, I think, directly above).
Mother: Shiloh's Behavior and Pedigree
Shiloh is 2-1/2 years old.
AKC Registered "Hebron Hope of Shiloh"
We were given Shiloh when she was 2 and 1/2 years old in November 2011..
In our rural setting, Shiloh is happy outdoors and indoors. When she is outdoors, she sticks close to the house, and so we rarely tie her up... although she's perfectly at peace when tied up, and does not fight "the leash".
She rarely barks, but only when strangers are near-by (be they human or canine strangers) and then only for a few minutes. She isn't into digging (well, ok... because she was expecting pups, she did prepare a small hollow in a protected corner of the yard, but she's not done any other digging). And she doesn't chew on anything like shoes. (She likes a leather chew toy). But she will pick up a shoe and carry it off, but has never chewed on one.
She found my mitten that I dropped on our walk, see photo below. She gave it back, unharmed.
She has never scratched at the door to get in ... or to get out. When she wants attention she looks in the window at us, and sometimes stands and walks on her back feet, the better to look through a window.
If she really wants our attention to be let out of the house, instead of scratching or barking, she will whine very softly once or twice, and if she is really, really in a hurry, she will "thump" on the door. I have never seen how she does this... I think she sort of whirls around and whacks the door with a closed paw :)
In January, 2012, she had her first litter. We were told she would typically have 2 or 3 puppies, being it was her first. She had nine puppies. Sadly, one was still born. The other eight were all born bright, active and healthy and knew to nurse immediately.
AKC Registered "Hebron Hope of Shiloh"
We were given Shiloh when she was 2 and 1/2 years old in November 2011..
In our rural setting, Shiloh is happy outdoors and indoors. When she is outdoors, she sticks close to the house, and so we rarely tie her up... although she's perfectly at peace when tied up, and does not fight "the leash".
She rarely barks, but only when strangers are near-by (be they human or canine strangers) and then only for a few minutes. She isn't into digging (well, ok... because she was expecting pups, she did prepare a small hollow in a protected corner of the yard, but she's not done any other digging). And she doesn't chew on anything like shoes. (She likes a leather chew toy). But she will pick up a shoe and carry it off, but has never chewed on one.
She found my mitten that I dropped on our walk, see photo below. She gave it back, unharmed.
She has never scratched at the door to get in ... or to get out. When she wants attention she looks in the window at us, and sometimes stands and walks on her back feet, the better to look through a window.
If she really wants our attention to be let out of the house, instead of scratching or barking, she will whine very softly once or twice, and if she is really, really in a hurry, she will "thump" on the door. I have never seen how she does this... I think she sort of whirls around and whacks the door with a closed paw :)
In January, 2012, she had her first litter. We were told she would typically have 2 or 3 puppies, being it was her first. She had nine puppies. Sadly, one was still born. The other eight were all born bright, active and healthy and knew to nurse immediately.
Shiloh, great granddaughter of Janipan, Hero of the Day
We live on a an apple orchard in central Washington state. Shiloh's calm temperment and loyal friendship won our hearts.
Shiloh is the great granddaughter of Champion Showdog "Janipan - Hero of the Day".
Shiloh is also second generation immigrant from Czechoslovakia ... her mother was brought here from Europe and is of championship linage.
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