From the Whelping Box – Day 15
Today we cut toenails. Click an image to zoom. These Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd puppies are by Sallee’s Rustie Jr, out of Sherling’s Stone Cold Vixen.
Farm Dog Care and Management
This category addresses the day-to-day care and management of dogs, including topics such as grooming, housing, feeding, and exercise. It also covers essential dog care skills and tips for maintaining a happy, healthy canine companion.
Introducing the Puppy Mobile
During these first few days and weeks, the puppies’ process of discovery and growth is fascinating to watch and understand. You may remember a previous post in which I stated that a primary goal of puppy enrichment is to stimulate the brain’s neurological pathways. We know that during neonatal development, a puppy is particularly receptive … Read more
On the Whelping Box Floor
What is it like to be an 11-day-old Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd puppy living in a 4′ x 4′ whelping box with mom and 8 siblings? Here are some photos from the ground level. Click an image to zoom.
Early Neurological Stimulation
I don’t see any reasons we can’t start ENS on schedule tomorrow. Why do we do ENS?[1]Gazzano, A., Mariti, C., Notari, L., Sighieri, C., McBride, E.A., 2008. Effects of early gentling and early environment on emotional development of puppies. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 110, 294–304., … Continue reading[2]Battaglia, C.L., 2009. Periods of early development and the … Read more
Countdown to Whelping Day
The countdown to W-Day has begun here at Roanoke Creek Ranch. Vixen is about 2.5 weeks from a planned whelp. For her part, Vixen received her final pre-whelp worming using puppy-safe meds. She started sleeping in the climate-controlled whelping room with veteran Nurse-dog Josie, and half her diet is now Purina Pro Plan Puppy Formula. … Read more
Protocol-based Dog Care
In the practice of Protocol-based Dog Care, dog activities get organized into repeatable processes. From each process, re-usable protocols get identified to meet an individual dog or a group of dogs specific requirements. Single Dog Protocols Single Dog Protocols include activities such as: Meals Exercise Medication Training Work Weigh-In Vet Visit Other Activities Group Protocols … Read more
The Daily Goat Dog Routine
Here on Roanoke Creek Ranch, there are usually three opportunities per day for goat dog training. The early morning feeding Mid-morning open range rumination Late afternoon open range rumination Generally, the youngest member of the goat dog team comes along for early morning feeding. The interaction is safe, and the pup/young dog gets face time … Read more
Age To Spay Or Neuter, Ovary Sparing Spay, Vasectomy, Cancer Links
I don’t neuter[1]castrate is the gender-specific term for males my male dogs without an explicit medical reason. I do neuter[2]spay is the gender-specific term for females my females at 6-9 years of age. My neutering protocol takes discipline, record keeping, extra work/time in dog management, and requisite housing facilities. I understand that not all dog … Read more
Good Trade
This time of year, there’s a lot of deer hunting out in my neck of the woods. Freyja, my Anatolian cross, brings a lot of treats in to camp. When one of the English shepherd’s dogs get a hold of a deer bone, I make a trade. I’ll say, “trade” and offer her a stuffed … Read more
Time for Core Vaccination Boosters
Here at Roanoke Creek Ranch, January means time for core vaccination boosters. I re-vaccinate core shots at 1 year old, then every 2-3 years after. If I’m planning to breed a particular female that year, I’ll vaccinate for sure in January to ensure maternally derived antibodies are passed along to the pups. According to the … Read more