Learning and Moving

Back from a long weekend at Bowerlands and what a weekend it was!

On the Saturday I helped Lauren and Matt as a dogsbody at their Awesome Handling seminar. My buddies had working spots and really had their eyes opened. Lauren truly thinks outside the box and games of keepy- uppy and grab the ball made everyone giggle and also were totally relevant. Jules and Neill walked awy from that seminar feeling motivated and enthusiastic. We followed that with a long walk with Lauren, Jo and the three of us: devon countryside, collies everywhere= bliss! Quick change and off to the pub, dog friendly and cheap, my food was good too. Lauren & Matt were great company and it was fabulous to have the puppies Ripple & Fiji to play with.

Sunday and we shared an hours lesson with Lauren for Detour, Lillie & Chewie. Fab fab! Lauren gave me some great tips for Detour and Neill and Jules went away with plans to help withtheir dogs confidence and focus. We were really on a high after that! Bar a few complications with car breakdowns, getting lost etc etc we made it to our hack for Sunday afternoon. Myself, Neill and Lauren went off accross Dartmoor with our guide (who was so lovely). We started off with a nice calm walk but quickly off for a trot, then straight off for long, long canters up hills and accross the rocky land. Pretty much walk down hills, canter anytime it was possible, oh and I only fell off once ha ha! We were all shattered afterwards and myself and Neill had the most chilled night in- lovely!

The next morning was followed by another private lesson and it was great again. Anyone who hasn't trained with Lauren is missing out, G1 or G7, especially with young dogs. Swallow your pride if thats whats stopping you and get down there for a session, open your mind. You WILL learn a lot! The thought and science that goes into Laurens training is second to none. Our drive home was filled with positive chat and plans for our way forward with our dogs. Brilliant!

Bowerlands was a lovely setting, the menage is fab for agility and the training lovely. Lauren and her family really make you feel welcome and with the cottages nearly booked out for the year, all workshops that are run get full, the proof really is in the pudding :)

before set off at Cholwell Riding Stables, Devon

Puppy Development Week Five (Days 29-35)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

Group activities and sexual play will begin
Dominance order starts
Rapid growth/development

Moving so fast

Well time is passing way too fast with these puppies, they are all desperate to escape from the whelping box and explore... so explore they now can. The whelping box is left open so pups have free access in and out. With this, a whole new level of chaos begins. Newspaper is down in the puppy pen and the area is littered with boxes to hide in, pots to climb in/ on. Raggy toys, chew toys etc.

The girls are adorable and already I am sad that I will have to say goodbye to them all. Little Coco is little miss attitude, strutting around with her tail over her back. Gucci is brave and inquisitive, taking life in her stride and Dior is full of love, sweetness and food!!!

Food is going down very well, they are currently having rusks and milk for breakfast then two small helpings of NaturesMenu raw nuggets soaked in a little boiled water/ veg water. They are constantly caked in their food :)

I am trying to enjoy each and every day with them- they are so very prescious x

First Meal- 3 weeks 1 day old

Yesterday the puppies had their first meal, rusks and milk. They all did really well although Dior decided that to stay clean it was easier just to lick the food off the other pups faces :o)

They all have needle sharp little teeth now and although I would have prefered to hold off weaning for a few more days they are feeding lots and for a long time now, they seem to be taking a lot from Hoaxey and they are defintely ready.

Weights are all good with Gucci still leading the pack at 1.5kgs.

They are walking really well now and are playing, cuddling and just being lovely. Ethan is also great with them, cuddling and kissing them lots.

Website Update

Three week old photos at Smoketrail Web here are some more :)