Rusty x Vixen Fall 2022

The puppies played on bread racks during today’s unusual surface exercise. Click an image to zoom.

As part of my puppy enrichment process, the litter is safely exposed to uneven and unusual surfaces.  Today, these 28-day-olds were introduced to the teeter board.  This piece of equipment is part of a set sold by M.A.D. Agility. In a few days, we’ll begin to use this board for marker training. Click an image … Read more

Vixen’s Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd puppies began to spend daytime hours outside yesterday.  That was a big step, so we didn’t throw much more than that at them. Today, when we went back outside, we started exposing them to the rural sounds of the farm.  At first, these sounds are introduced from a … Read more

After about 4 sessions over a 24-hour period, our smart and determined puppies have learned to scale the barrier. The nuance of this seemingly small feat should not be overlooked. This is the biggest challenge these pups have ever faced. Every time they scale the barrier, they build coordination and confidence. Puppy enrichment is progressive, … Read more

Today we introduced barrier training to the whelping box. I like this rolled plastic fence as a barrier because it is soft, scalable and safe. The barrier provides both physical stimulation and requires problem solving for mental stimulation. Click an image to zoom.

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.

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

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.

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