-
Disclaimer: Hello Guest, Doberman Chat Forums presents the opinions and material on these pages as a service to its membership and to the general public but does not endorse those materials, nor does it guarantee the accuracy of any opinions or information contained therein. The opinions expressed in the materials are strictly the opinion of the writer and do not represent the opinion of, nor are they endorsed by, Doberman Chat Forums. Health and medical articles are intended as an aid to those seeking health information and are not intended to replace the informed opinion of a qualified Veterinarian.”
Soluna Dobermans
- Thread starter Rits
- Start date
Rits
Hot Topics Subscriber
Fortunately, I work from home so I can set my own schedule but it isn't easy...
The girls yes! 2 will be companions and 2 show. The boy the first show home fell through, HOA would not allow another dog, I am glad she checked before he was already there. I have another potential show home that I am waiting to hear back from!
Yes, that's much easier than having him shuffled around.
Rits
Hot Topics Subscriber
Sorry all! These last few weeks have been SO busy! Their needs have immensely ramped up! Paperwork also needing filed, new inquiries answered (which usually means 30min-1hr spent chatting), ears cropped, ears tended to 3x a day, conformation and Temperament graded, matching and preparing new homes with all the info they need individual training, nails dremeled, go home kits made etc.
Winter also decided to show so my husband had been working for 2 weeks straight of 14-15hrs with no time off. So when I normally would get a little spare time with his help I've been taking care of these guys entirely on my own for the past two weeks...and let me tell you.... Potty training (5) 8-10 week old puppies at the same time on your own is exhausting.
Not only did I have the usual care of them that all breeders do but they are basically living in my home now just like the big dogs! They are out for exercise and learning to live in a home or they are kenneled for nap and learning how to shut off and be quiet time. Add in I'm spending time individually training them one by one for key skills to get them started for their new homes. Teaching them that training is fun and giving them the desire to want to work with people. It only takes a few sessions at this age for foundational training to make a lasting impact on them!
I realized I never had time to post candid pics from 6 weeks on. So today I will slowly make a new post for a week or so at a time since there is a limit. Let me know if you want to see each week and I'll post the rest.
Give me some time though!
Week 6-7
- Outside for first time and we had ALL weather
- More visitors (think they've had 3-4 different visitor parties by 7 weeks old)
- Strange dog visitor
- First car ride
- Eating from own bowls
- Napping in own locked kennel during day
- have experienced bath time 3x by end of week 7
Winter also decided to show so my husband had been working for 2 weeks straight of 14-15hrs with no time off. So when I normally would get a little spare time with his help I've been taking care of these guys entirely on my own for the past two weeks...and let me tell you.... Potty training (5) 8-10 week old puppies at the same time on your own is exhausting.
Not only did I have the usual care of them that all breeders do but they are basically living in my home now just like the big dogs! They are out for exercise and learning to live in a home or they are kenneled for nap and learning how to shut off and be quiet time. Add in I'm spending time individually training them one by one for key skills to get them started for their new homes. Teaching them that training is fun and giving them the desire to want to work with people. It only takes a few sessions at this age for foundational training to make a lasting impact on them!
I realized I never had time to post candid pics from 6 weeks on. So today I will slowly make a new post for a week or so at a time since there is a limit. Let me know if you want to see each week and I'll post the rest.
Give me some time though! Week 6-7
- Outside for first time and we had ALL weather
- More visitors (think they've had 3-4 different visitor parties by 7 weeks old)
- Strange dog visitor
- First car ride
- Eating from own bowls
- Napping in own locked kennel during day
- have experienced bath time 3x by end of week 7
LifeofRubie
Moderator
oh man... I can't IMAGINE the chaos!!!! We felt like we had our hands full when we brought Moose home 
You might still be in the middle of a large post but now that they've been temperament tested, do you know who all is going where?
You might still be in the middle of a large post but now that they've been temperament tested, do you know who all is going where?
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
Wow so many great shots! Seeing them run through the snow brought back memories of Kaiser when he was still a crazy little puppy blasting through the snowy yard. It sounds like they are getting an awesome introduction to home life! 
Odd question for you:
I see that you have the pup crates stacked on each other. I wonder if the pups who are stacked up high will have any kind of different confidence booster since they are exposed/acclimated to heights vs possibly being hesitant of heights.
Then at the same time, prob doesn’t matter to young pups for they know no better and have zero fear but just a thought that popped in my mind.
I see that you have the pup crates stacked on each other. I wonder if the pups who are stacked up high will have any kind of different confidence booster since they are exposed/acclimated to heights vs possibly being hesitant of heights.
Then at the same time, prob doesn’t matter to young pups for they know no better and have zero fear but just a thought that popped in my mind.
Rits
Hot Topics Subscriber
Oh they don't go in any certain crates lol! They all have been up and down. But yes it's possibly good for them. Anything done before 12-16 weeks they are much more receptive to and makes a lasting impact. That's why socializing to anything and everything positively before this window closes is extremely important.
Yes! Its funny because who I thought was going where exactly lined up with their temperament tests. The tests gave me much more detailed info but my placements in my head from what I observed remained true! I'll post more to catch-up as I'm able to hopefully this evening! Got interrupted by puppies
jazzies mum
Hot Topics Subscriber
We knew you had your hands full and understand fully the late catchup! You are doing a wonderful job with these littluns and their new owners are just so lucky for this head start! And all those puppy pics are Just. So. Cuuuuuute! 
Rits
Hot Topics Subscriber
Forgive me for the wrong tense. It's easier to copy what I've already written in the moment of the update than trying to remember everything and again, sorry pics are out of order. I upload in order but the forum scrambles them and it's too time consuming to try to organize them.
"Only 8 weeks old and we were able to comfortably leave the puppies crated while we attended agility practice with Ripley! We were able to check on them away from home from one of the cameras and they all slept the entire time, no crying or fussing.
We came home 3.5 hours later with no accidents, hooray!
So it looks like the pups are ready for the next step! We moved to no potty pans in their pen and are taking them outside after every meal, play, or sleep, and again if they run to the back door. We do still have one potty pan by the door they go out to potty through and one where they play when loose in the house so they can remain to make good choices but we are gradually moving the potty further away from their "den" and closer to outside.
Eventually the potty pan will fade all together. It's super handy to have a pup suddenly trot to the back door to use the potty pan. If we hear or see the trotting with purpose, we will let them out and out they go to potty with lots of praise after! If not, at least the potty pan is there and the behavior is forming for them to run to the door to go outside.
The pups are also sleeping through the night in their locked crates with one potty trip in the middle of the night. As they get older, they will eventually be able to last through the night. It helps to pickup their water an hour before bed and make one last potty trip before bed too."
" I start leash training the pups at 8 weeks old by teaching leash pressure. Little miss Dietrich thought she'd try to sit and lean back to avoid going forward when pressure was applied. It is a natural Instinct for them. With a little patience and persistence, and capturing when she removed weight off of one foot like she's showing here, I was able to mark yes then lure and reward her out of the tension on the leash, thus moving forward!
Loose leash walking is probably one of the most challenging skills to teach a dog so if you can take 5 mins a day to work on leash pressure when they are very young while marking "yes" and rewarding forward movement when they feel that pressure, you are already off on the right foot! This is a skill you will be reinforcing for life too! We ended our session with play. As they get older you can start incorporating some tools if needed to back up what has already been taught as distractions around them grow."
" The xpen is gone! Now we're living like the big dogs!!
The pups are either out supervised for an hour at a time or taking a nap. There is nothing wrong with putting them away in their kennels frequently throughout the day for a nap where they are safe and can't accidentally eat something they shouldn't, jump off of furniture, or have an accident in the house. It isn't possible to watch them 24/7 so whenever they don't have our full attention they go in their kennels with a safe toy and a chew. Even when they aren't tired. They quickly learn to settle and relax, an important skill to have in life! We don't tip toe around or turn off lights either. Everything carries on in the house as normal.
I highly advise anyone with a puppy to do the same. It makes life so much easier and you will find your puppy is more well behaved as sleep and learning to turn off is essential for their health. Puppies sleep anywhere from 18-20 hours a day! Overtired puppies tend to have behavior issues."
8-9 weeks
"Photo drop from Week 8! The puppies turned 9 weeks this past Friday. Sorry for the delay, I've (Amanda) been flying solo caring for the pups during the winter storm we had and let me tell you, potty training 5, 8 week old, puppies alone is absolutely exhausting! Definitely getting my work out in taking them out one by one 30x a day
It was such a busy and eventful week for them. They went on a long road trip to be stacked and graded. Another long road trip to get their ears cropped, 1st set of vaccines, and received their first monthly deworming (prior to that they were on a bi weekly schedule).
Slept in their individual kennels with the kennel door locked while we were gone for the first time - no accidents. Upgraded to no more xpen and are a part of the household like the big dogs now; either out loose in the house supervised or in kennel for nap/quiet time. Continued sleeping through the night in individual kennels.
Lots and lots AND LOTS of potty trips outside to begin potty training. We've cut down from 4 potty pans to two, one near play area and one near the back door. They no longer have 24/7 access to the potty pan/litter box like they used to so they are learning to hold it and how to ask to go potty while in their kennels.
Loads of learning manners and communication skills from Mom, uncle Stavros and littermates... The squabbling is happening more as they develop their individualism and learn to settle their differences.
Leash training and leash pressure training. Reward for following the leader while on leash! Continued manding reinforcement, a few of them love to jump on you so insisting they sit before interacting with them. It's a bit hilarious to repeatedly be followed around and have them plop in front of me looking up. I know they want something when they do that so I either give them a piece of kibble or lean down to pet them. Nails dremeled. Ears tended to 3x a day which is getting them used to the process of having their ears messed with when it comes time to post."
"
9 week old profile pics of the Ink x Ripley litter
Temperament tests were completed on Monday and we've made our placements! Emails will be going out to their owners tonight and tomorrow. ALL puppies are spoken for!
Thank you Brandy Barbour for evaluating my litter with the PAWS and Avidog APET tests. I would highly recommend her!!"
Ran out of room for pics... gotta go Dremel nails
To be continued...
and again, sorry pics are out of order. I upload in order but the forum scrambles them and it's too time consuming to try to organize them."Only 8 weeks old and we were able to comfortably leave the puppies crated while we attended agility practice with Ripley! We were able to check on them away from home from one of the cameras and they all slept the entire time, no crying or fussing.
We came home 3.5 hours later with no accidents, hooray!So it looks like the pups are ready for the next step! We moved to no potty pans in their pen and are taking them outside after every meal, play, or sleep, and again if they run to the back door. We do still have one potty pan by the door they go out to potty through and one where they play when loose in the house so they can remain to make good choices but we are gradually moving the potty further away from their "den" and closer to outside.
Eventually the potty pan will fade all together. It's super handy to have a pup suddenly trot to the back door to use the potty pan. If we hear or see the trotting with purpose, we will let them out and out they go to potty with lots of praise after! If not, at least the potty pan is there and the behavior is forming for them to run to the door to go outside.
The pups are also sleeping through the night in their locked crates with one potty trip in the middle of the night. As they get older, they will eventually be able to last through the night. It helps to pickup their water an hour before bed and make one last potty trip before bed too."
" I start leash training the pups at 8 weeks old by teaching leash pressure. Little miss Dietrich thought she'd try to sit and lean back to avoid going forward when pressure was applied. It is a natural Instinct for them. With a little patience and persistence, and capturing when she removed weight off of one foot like she's showing here, I was able to mark yes then lure and reward her out of the tension on the leash, thus moving forward!
Loose leash walking is probably one of the most challenging skills to teach a dog so if you can take 5 mins a day to work on leash pressure when they are very young while marking "yes" and rewarding forward movement when they feel that pressure, you are already off on the right foot! This is a skill you will be reinforcing for life too! We ended our session with play. As they get older you can start incorporating some tools if needed to back up what has already been taught as distractions around them grow."
" The xpen is gone! Now we're living like the big dogs!!
The pups are either out supervised for an hour at a time or taking a nap. There is nothing wrong with putting them away in their kennels frequently throughout the day for a nap where they are safe and can't accidentally eat something they shouldn't, jump off of furniture, or have an accident in the house. It isn't possible to watch them 24/7 so whenever they don't have our full attention they go in their kennels with a safe toy and a chew. Even when they aren't tired. They quickly learn to settle and relax, an important skill to have in life! We don't tip toe around or turn off lights either. Everything carries on in the house as normal.
I highly advise anyone with a puppy to do the same. It makes life so much easier and you will find your puppy is more well behaved as sleep and learning to turn off is essential for their health. Puppies sleep anywhere from 18-20 hours a day! Overtired puppies tend to have behavior issues."
8-9 weeks
"Photo drop from Week 8! The puppies turned 9 weeks this past Friday. Sorry for the delay, I've (Amanda) been flying solo caring for the pups during the winter storm we had and let me tell you, potty training 5, 8 week old, puppies alone is absolutely exhausting! Definitely getting my work out in taking them out one by one 30x a day
It was such a busy and eventful week for them. They went on a long road trip to be stacked and graded. Another long road trip to get their ears cropped, 1st set of vaccines, and received their first monthly deworming (prior to that they were on a bi weekly schedule).
Slept in their individual kennels with the kennel door locked while we were gone for the first time - no accidents. Upgraded to no more xpen and are a part of the household like the big dogs now; either out loose in the house supervised or in kennel for nap/quiet time. Continued sleeping through the night in individual kennels.
Lots and lots AND LOTS of potty trips outside to begin potty training. We've cut down from 4 potty pans to two, one near play area and one near the back door. They no longer have 24/7 access to the potty pan/litter box like they used to so they are learning to hold it and how to ask to go potty while in their kennels.
Loads of learning manners and communication skills from Mom, uncle Stavros and littermates... The squabbling is happening more as they develop their individualism and learn to settle their differences.
Leash training and leash pressure training. Reward for following the leader while on leash! Continued manding reinforcement, a few of them love to jump on you so insisting they sit before interacting with them. It's a bit hilarious to repeatedly be followed around and have them plop in front of me looking up. I know they want something when they do that so I either give them a piece of kibble or lean down to pet them. Nails dremeled. Ears tended to 3x a day which is getting them used to the process of having their ears messed with when it comes time to post."
"
9 week old profile pics of the Ink x Ripley litter Temperament tests were completed on Monday and we've made our placements! Emails will be going out to their owners tonight and tomorrow. ALL puppies are spoken for!
Thank you Brandy Barbour for evaluating my litter with the PAWS and Avidog APET tests. I would highly recommend her!!"
Ran out of room for pics... gotta go Dremel nails
To be continued...
Last edited by a moderator:
Rits
Hot Topics Subscriber
I can eventually share the results and closing thoughts
I also have some of their evaluations through videos! It might be after they leave when I have more free time.
We will see how long it takes for me to get through catch up! I had 3 tested with the Avidog APET and the top two girls were working dog evaluated with the PAWS temperament test. 
Brandy said this was one of the nicest litter of dobermans she's ever tested, even compared to working litters. That made my heart beam!!
jazzies mum
Hot Topics Subscriber
This is a huge achievement! We are all feeling parental pride here!
Rits
Hot Topics Subscriber
Btw, I found out from Midgarden that Ripley's ears are not a long show crop. I never thought they really were. I always thought they were more of a medium show crop. But it was interesting to have her confirm they weren't when I told her I wanted 7/8ths ears, ears like Ripley's then I showed her Ripley in person and she said hers aren't 7/8ths 
Good to know!
Good to know!
What did she call it? I'm confused.
So the puppies got something called a 7/8ths long show crop? Is that what your two boys have? They always seemed longer than Ripleys to me.Does Midgarden have a chart of sorts to choose from? And I've been noticing that puppy litters vary with ear size (before cropping) and your litter seemed to be longer earred than others I've been looking at and that got me thinking about how they do the trim. So many dang questions! I know you're busy - this discussion can wait until you're household is back under control.
I will be really excited to see videos and results! Wait until you have more time for sure, because I'll probably have a zillion questions. LOL. Was it Brandy Billington? If so, I didn't know she was an evaluator, fun stuff!!!
Agree, one of my favorites!
Rits
Hot Topics Subscriber
They leave 7/8ths of the ear length. They cut the tip of the ear and then crop from there. And yes that's what they got.
I think so, it's what my breeder wanted with these puppies. But then Joel cropped Ripley and my boys. Length though also just depends on how long/big their ears are to begin with. Some have bigger ear leather than others. I suppose the crop vet can still tell if 7/8th of their particular ear was left afterwards, if the entire ear has been used, or if even less.
No, she's not local to me haha. Brandy Barbour. She has corsos that she shows and does IGP with.
I have no idea! I was told by my breeder and the sire owner to bring Ripley, bring pics and tell her 7/8th long show crop, no bell. I know if you don't tell her she will typically leave a fair amount of bell which I don't care for. I showed her Ripley, she took all of 15-20 seconds to look at her ear and was very confident and said that's all she needed to see.
Rits
Hot Topics Subscriber
Thank you
We have received so many wonderful compliments from people who have reached out to us both publicly and privately. It's been incredibly encouraging when people feel compelled to take the time to say something about my breeding practice to me... especially for all the difficult and tiring times, some days of burnout, that you don't see. The positive feedback helps to know I'm on the right path of what people want and want to see. Besides the point that it's what I want too! But it's definitely uplifting!
Yeah, I knew she wasn't in your area, thought maybe she was a test-evaluator and just happened to be in the area the week you needed it done. I know she travels all over the place it seems for shows & events.... maybe it was just the way you said Brandy like a a Doberman-person would know. LOL. I think it's even better that a non-Dobe person did the evaluations and so cool with IGP background! Excited to hear the testing stories when your life is back under control.
Similar threads
