Patriot and Paloma Get To Work

Auntie Suzanne came over yesterday to work with Patriot and Paloma on conformation. At this point, they are almost 21 weeks old which is just about 5 months. Both of them did well with Patriot catching on quicker to the little leash requests Suzanne gave him to correct his free stack. Paloma was a little distracted - she caught on to the leash work but thinks she's a German Shepherd (notice her stack). Patriot's natural stacks were really nice and overall he did better than Paloma. I thought both the pups did very well for this being their first time working on a show lead. Hopefully they will continue to grow at an even pace and we'll check again in a couple of weeks.

Patriot

Paloma








Every session ends on a good note!

Playing With Bubbles

Brianna found this really cool bubble blower at the store the other day ~~


OK, Mom - I'm waiting! (Patriot)


Where are the bubbles? (Paloma)


Hey, Paloma! Look, I'm trying to catch a bubble!


OK, everybody - open your mouth, and say AH! Catch a bubble! You're talking to the choir! We know what to do.


Get away from that bubble ~ it's MINE! (Paloma's giving Hannah a raspberry!)


Oh, look how pretty they are - all the colors of the rainbow!


I told you - those are MY bubbles, Paloma! Look how pretty they are!


Now, I'm really not going to tell you again! I want to catch ALL the bubbles, ME, just ME!


I still think they are pretty!


Wow, that was fun! When's your Mom going to do this again?

**Hannah was being a good sport - she wasn't yelling at the pups - she was just trying to catch the bubbles like everyone else! Marley was in the other room, totally uninterested in what was going on!**

Jasper's Day in the Field

These are pictures Brian sent of Jasper - they were taken in February.




Working a bird


Learning to hold a point


On point


He's getting so grown up - handsome boy!

Loki's Growing Up

Steve and Jamie sent a chronicle of Loki's life since he went home with them until now. Here are just a few!


Loki learning to watch and sit.


Loki's new bigger bed.


I have included these pictures so you can compare then to now.


He almost doesn't fit!


Handsome boy

19 Weeks

At 19 weeks, Paloma lost one of her pre-molars. I forgot they lost those so it was kind of weird to see it sitting on the floor. She is enjoying having her brother here (he arrived last night) - they are a non-stop blur of red, all through the house! Poor Marc fell asleep on the couch, sitting up while watching television this afternoon. The pups came running in the house, after being outside, and used his chest as a banking ramp! Lucky for them, he thinks they're cute otherwise, there might have been some excited yelling going on.

I love Paloma's personality and temperament. She's a wiggle butt when she wakes up and a wiggle butt when eats. She still likes to sit on my lap and fall asleep and to tell you the truth, I hope she never quits wanting that closeness.

Patriot is more reserved than Paloma with his kisses - he likes to give a couple of little ones, not lots of fast ones like his sister. Both pups use their paws alot - either holding our cheeks, or on our shoulder - sometimes even bopping us for attention. Some people might think the shoulders thing is a dominant act and if their heads were above ours, I might agree. But, their Mom likes to put her paws on our shoulders all the time, and Marley is no where near being a dominant dog. It's just something she does.

I have noticed that both Paloma and Patriot are oral pups. They both like to put our wrists in their mouths. Paloma is still learning she needs to be gentler but Patriot has that lesson down pat. He has a very soft mouth. Paloma will get there, she just needs a little more time. One of the first things I ever read about Vizslas was how some of them like to grab your hand and lead you around. Neither Hannah nor Marley were like that so this has been a new experience for us.

Both pups are crating well when we are gone from the house. Paloma is especially excited when she hears us coming. If she could, I think she would melt through the wire crate just to get to us when we come home. Hannah and Marley are probably setting her excitement off and it's about all I can do to get to her, so she can go outside, come in and get settled.

What did you do before you owned a Vizsla? How much fun are you having now?

Enjoy one another -

Paloma

We went to the vet Tuesday for Paloma to have her rabies vaccine. We ended up having to wait a rather long time for the vet to finish with another patient but we made good use of that time. It's nice that they keep a tray of treats in the room as I was able to put Paloma through some of her paces. She's a good sitter, and we are working on "look!" She is even getting better with sit-stay, and not following me while I'm walking backwards. Of course, there is only so far one can go when in a room at the vet's office!

However, the funniest thing happened . . . . Paloma found her tail!! :) She was so funny - she'd curl her body into a half moon and then swish her tail closer so she could grab it. She'd go around and around a few times and then stop and act like she was dizzy. I think she was very fascinated with what she had found and still doesn't know it's connected to her. I had some really good laughs at her expense.

On another note: Paloma and Patriot have already transitioned to Innova Evo Small Red Meat Bites. It's composition is similar to the Orijen Puppy so if you're looking for something easy to switch to, might I suggest that. For us it was just easier to go with the food Hannah and Marley are already eating. I know one of our families is looking at feeding a premium raw diet which is okay with me. Whatever you choose, be careful it doesn't contain corn. Patriot had a recent bout that landed him at the emergency vet for an overnight visit - they think because he ate whole kernel corn which didn't agree with him. That may or may not be the reason he was sick but, it's better to be safe than sorry. IMHO

That's all for now. I have received several pictures recently and I hope to have those posted soon. Everyone seems to be doing really well and enjoying one another's company. Brianna and Patriot should arrive tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to seeing them.

Until later . . . take care ~ Audrey, Hannah, Marley and Paloma

Happy Month Day!

Happy Month Day ~ you are 4 months old today!

Are you having fun with your families? I have a sneaking suspicion that you are! :)

Ziggy will start handling class and his second companionship class very soon.
Crawford is attending his second class and enjoys having family come for a surprise visit.
Paloma loves to terrorize her Mom but has more respect for her Auntie Hannah.
Patriot is enjoying being the center of attention and making sure he loves on Dad the next two days.
Jasper prefers to work at home and play everywhere else.
Loki enjoys making sure his Mom never has a dull moment.

If you have any updates to share, please let me know.