And here we are! Five weeks old already! Amazing how the time flies! At least on this end.
It's been a week of quite a bit of change. Their first outings, even if few and short due to unfavorable weather. Either rain or cold. Yesterday though they had a pretty lengthy initiation to the outdoors under sunny skies and warm temps. Even got to experience some heavy equipment doing drive by's. That of me, my Hustler and sweeper. At this age they really think little of new experiences so I like to expose them to as much as possible. Little farm dogs in the making.
Pretty chilly again today but will try and get them out individually and get started on week five photos.
Everyone is doing a good job of eating but I've gone back to blending their food into a mash. Seems they just eat better that way in the early days. Dig in rather than pick.
I also introduced them to the pup corral. Weaning from the whelping box. Remedy is still willing to nurse and seems to enjoy hanging with her pups from somewhat of a distance so daytime is spent in the corral and nights spent in the box. The box is soon to become history though as the first pup of the litter did in fact finagle an escape last night. Didn't see her do it but woke to Remedy dancing around in the middle of the night, Yellow looking for an unwelcome midnight snack I guess.
Will begin the weaning process in earnest this week.
Turns out I've been unable to reach one of the people on our list for a male. Surprisingly first on the list for male. Gave an extended grace period due to holidays and the possibility of vacation/travel etc. before considering the pup available. But there came a point, I had to make the call. For what ever reason, a return call or email of explanation wasn't going to come.
So.... we loose one, each of you on the original wait list move up a step and we gain Jennifer. She shared with me she was out and about at a festival of sorts and ran into one of my pups/dogs in Dunedin. Not sure who... she couldn't recall the name of the people or the name of the dog but did recall my kennel name. Nothing makes me happier than to hear my dogs are out there selling themselves. Kudos to whoever it was for being great ambassadors for breed and for creating good ambassadors within the breed. Thank you! If you see this post and care to share, please do. I'd love to know and thank you personally.
The cold days allowed me to complete my fire pit project to prepare for the falling leaves. Repurposing essentially. One problem with country life and a problem on the property is that of burrowing animals... The burrows themselves are essentially tunnels and it worries me to have my dogs get inquisitive. Not only due to the potential of collapse but also due to what they might run into at the end of a tunnel should they venture into one that's inhabited. Likely not a match for a Doberman... turtle or armadillo most likely. But I'm not really sure so gone is best. I filled tunnels with a variety of stuff... concrete, logs etc, an act I hope I don't live to regret. Then moved dirt (fire pit contents) around in hopes of remedying the problem. Turned into a couple plus day project and ended with a commencement of refilling the pit. Round one of leaf collection and burn complete. Home ownership a wonderful thing... minus the maintenance. But at least one project's done that will open up additional time for the pups when they need me most.
Pictures are fairly few and sporadic this week but I did have fun with my dogs. Each either individually or in pairs had ample opportunity to be workers helper, moral support and entertainment, as I did my thing. Dobermans always have a way of reminding me what I so love about the breed. Their desire to always be near.... no matter what you may be doing. They're right there doing it with you. A couple even helped with digging. lol
It's been a week of quite a bit of change. Their first outings, even if few and short due to unfavorable weather. Either rain or cold. Yesterday though they had a pretty lengthy initiation to the outdoors under sunny skies and warm temps. Even got to experience some heavy equipment doing drive by's. That of me, my Hustler and sweeper. At this age they really think little of new experiences so I like to expose them to as much as possible. Little farm dogs in the making.
Pretty chilly again today but will try and get them out individually and get started on week five photos.
Everyone is doing a good job of eating but I've gone back to blending their food into a mash. Seems they just eat better that way in the early days. Dig in rather than pick.
I also introduced them to the pup corral. Weaning from the whelping box. Remedy is still willing to nurse and seems to enjoy hanging with her pups from somewhat of a distance so daytime is spent in the corral and nights spent in the box. The box is soon to become history though as the first pup of the litter did in fact finagle an escape last night. Didn't see her do it but woke to Remedy dancing around in the middle of the night, Yellow looking for an unwelcome midnight snack I guess.
Will begin the weaning process in earnest this week.
Turns out I've been unable to reach one of the people on our list for a male. Surprisingly first on the list for male. Gave an extended grace period due to holidays and the possibility of vacation/travel etc. before considering the pup available. But there came a point, I had to make the call. For what ever reason, a return call or email of explanation wasn't going to come.
So.... we loose one, each of you on the original wait list move up a step and we gain Jennifer. She shared with me she was out and about at a festival of sorts and ran into one of my pups/dogs in Dunedin. Not sure who... she couldn't recall the name of the people or the name of the dog but did recall my kennel name. Nothing makes me happier than to hear my dogs are out there selling themselves. Kudos to whoever it was for being great ambassadors for breed and for creating good ambassadors within the breed. Thank you! If you see this post and care to share, please do. I'd love to know and thank you personally.
The cold days allowed me to complete my fire pit project to prepare for the falling leaves. Repurposing essentially. One problem with country life and a problem on the property is that of burrowing animals... The burrows themselves are essentially tunnels and it worries me to have my dogs get inquisitive. Not only due to the potential of collapse but also due to what they might run into at the end of a tunnel should they venture into one that's inhabited. Likely not a match for a Doberman... turtle or armadillo most likely. But I'm not really sure so gone is best. I filled tunnels with a variety of stuff... concrete, logs etc, an act I hope I don't live to regret. Then moved dirt (fire pit contents) around in hopes of remedying the problem. Turned into a couple plus day project and ended with a commencement of refilling the pit. Round one of leaf collection and burn complete. Home ownership a wonderful thing... minus the maintenance. But at least one project's done that will open up additional time for the pups when they need me most.
Pictures are fairly few and sporadic this week but I did have fun with my dogs. Each either individually or in pairs had ample opportunity to be workers helper, moral support and entertainment, as I did my thing. Dobermans always have a way of reminding me what I so love about the breed. Their desire to always be near.... no matter what you may be doing. They're right there doing it with you. A couple even helped with digging. lol
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