Out of the Pool!

Grabbing a snack

Thick comforters were placed all around the base of the pool to break their fall once they decided it was time to jump.

Well, Neil was right. We awoke yesterday morning to find that all four pups were out of the pool and were running all around the laundry room. A couple were eating out of Tuloon's dry kibble bowl, while the others were drinking some water left out for Tuloon. I'd say they're ready to be outside at this point. Once they're out of the pool there is no way to keep them in and the clean- up becomes an even bigger job.

They were very unhappy, at first, to be in their new surroundings but soon settled in. A big rain and thunderstorm came in the afternoon so they got another new experience. Before the storm we made certain they were all in the dog house safe and sound.

It's been their second full day outside and they actually spent it outside instead of inside the dog house. They've come a long way in just two days.

Socialization in Pairs

Blueberry watches intensely as Neil tries to get Tumac interested in a toy.

This introduction went amazingly well. Puppies can have a difficult time meeting new friends at this age, especially if they look very different than their mother or other littermates.

Tumac seeks the comfort of Neil on the cozy dog bed while Hana looks on.

Hana

Hana and Tumac

Topa

Beautiful Topa

Topa

White Feather

White Feather trying to get Topa to play

White Feather

A few days ago, the pups came up to the sun room for the first time, in pairs, to meet the little house dogs and get some one on one socialization. It was fun to watch each reaction to a new fuzzy face. In addition, they were being introduced to new surfaces like carpet and hardwood flooring as well as all kinds of toys made out of different materials.

They seemed surprisingly adaptable. We only got one "squawk" out of Topa when Blueberry, a little King Charles Spaniel/Beagle/Sheltie mix put his nose in her face too quickly. Of course, this scared Blueberry more than Topa so he quickly backed away. When he returned seconds later to re investigate, Topa accepted him as something not quite as scary as before.

The toys didn't get much attention as the pups were just very interested in their new surroundings. Like every litter before them, they seemed to gravitate towards the big, green, soft and cuddly dog bed. White Feather and Hana did the most exploring and continued to want to investigate under the chairs, back behind the woodstove and under the gigantic potted Norfolk Pine tree. Topa was more subdued and was happy to watch from afar then she did what she loves best; she fell asleep. This is a very laid back pup. Tumac was interested in checking things out but not quite as far away as his two sisters. He enjoyed his time on Neil's lap in the cuddly dog bed the most.

At the end of the evening, Neil thought that after this evening of fun, they wouldn't be staying in that pool for very much longer..............

Zodiak Neutered

Zodiak got a reprieve from the last decision to get him neutered in April when Journey was spayed. Not this time. At Points Unknown, we've got a very aggressive spay and neuter program. We don't do it lightly and put a lot of discussion to it before the decision is made. We want to make certain that those we do keep intact have the most well rounded temperaments, are exceptional workers and are the best representatives of the traditional line we are trying to preserve.

Zodiak has an excellent work ethic. He is part Hedlund Husky and part what we call our "Zulu line" which has village dog roots. He received the short coat from his grandmother on the Zulu side which is not a desired trait. He is an excellent people dog and loves just about any dog we meet during our Canicross Hikes or obedience classes. Then why fix him? Well, he's got a brother, Oken, that is a better representative of each line who has a more traditional coat and who is much more eager to please, making him a lower maintenance leader candidate. Zodiak has also had some issues with dominance with other dogs in our kennel and not too many of the dogs in the kennel can handle his unbridled energy level so he sometimes gets a kennel to himself so the others can get a break. He's 22 months old and although the argument can be made that he could grow out of some of his undesirable behaviors, there is no need to take the chance when we have the more desirable Hedlund/Zulu genetics in his brother. So he was fixed.

He's spent the last couple of weeks with an "E" collar on, living a very sheltered life either in the house in a crate or in a small enclosed outdoor area so he can heal properly. With this boy's energy level, you can only imagine how he has been coping. (And how we have been coping!)

Yesterday he got his first very short Canicross Hike since the surgery. The "E" collar was taken off and the harness put on. Neil volunteered for this job thankfully, because I'm not certain I would have had the strength to have dealt with Zodiak after almost two weeks of trying to keep him "sedate". It was all Neil could do to keep Zodiak on course as he lunged in the harness uncontrollably at the start. He did eventually settle down and actually looked a bit tired after his hike. Thank goodness.

He's now back in his old kennel in the dog yard but won't be allowed to play with his friends for another couple of days.

3 Weeks Old; Introduction to Their Eventual Kennel

The pups weren't too excited to be placed on the dirty ground after being all snug in fleece blankets in their cozy puppy pool. There was a lot of howling and crying as Tuloon walked calmly around the kennel, checking it over to see if it was suitable for her fuzzy pups.


The other dogs could see the pups through the fence at this point from their kennels located about 15' across the dog yard. They were jumping over each other to get a good seat for the first viewing. The Inuit Dogs were proclaiming their excitement while the Huskies quietly yet intently watched.

Tuloon consoled her concerned pups, licking them, then nursing them and they seemed to feel much safer and the crying dwindled.

Tuloon is a very calm mom and didn't mind sharing this introduction with four people with cameras in her kennel.

3 Weeks Old; Introduction to Dog Food

A mixture of 32/20 and 38/25 Redpaw kibble was soaked in water until mushy. We began by placing the bowl in the pool to see if anyone would notice then went on to tap the bowl to peak interest.

We then put a small amount on a finger and let the pups lick it as they stood next to the special puppy bowl.

Every pup had a taste.


Some wanted to investigate more by seeing what it felt like before taking bite.


In the end, when mom showed up, all bets were off and the puppy bowl was abandoned. Tuloon later finished it off.

Puppy Maintenance

Toenails are cut weekly. Starting this early gets them used to their feet being handled and makes it much easier when they are adults.

Tuloon continues to clean each pup several times a day and she keeps their puppy area nice and clean as well.

More cleaning

The cleaning has become more intense because you get larger quantities of mess as they get bigger. Puppy bedding is changed daily. This means laundry is also done daily.

Socialization is a several times a day event. The pups are held and cuddled, talked to and we are now even exchanging howls. Their legs, feet, tail and ears are handled, their heads and backs are stroked and strange noises are made followed by praise that they have become accustomed to, to let them know they are safe. All of these things aid in the desensitization to help raise a well rounded and social pup.

Tuloon/McKenzie Pups 3 Weeks Old

White Feather weighed 4lbs 10oz yesterday at 3 weeks old. She is a social butterfly and moves from pup to pup for play time.

Topa weighed 4lbs 15oz at 3 weeks old. She has become the quietest and most reserved of the pups and she is always up for being cuddled.

Tumac weighed 5lbs 4oz at 3 weeks. He is very content to entertain himself but does enjoy playing with the others once they initiate.

Hana weighed 4lbs 15oz at 3 weeks. She is the most people social of the bunch and is the first to greet visitors. She and I spent a lot of time talking back and forth as she has a lot to say.

The photos show their personalities well. Each pup is so different from the next. They've become very active over the past week and have just begun to notice that there is life outside of the puppy pool. Tumac has been seen with his paws on the edge of the pool, peering over, twice this week. In anticipation of the day when they decide to climb out, thick comforters have been placed all around the pool to break their fall on the hard ceramic tile floor.

Toenails were clipped again this week and their first worming was done just after their 2 week mark.