The puppies were rampaging around the outdoor pen in the way that 7-week-old puppies tend to do first thing in the morning, so I got out the camera to catch the evidence. Of course, the minute I pointed the camera at them, they did this instead.
But they can't just sit there looking cute indefinitely. Eventually normal service resumes, as shown below. And if any of you were thinking Karhu was quiet, retiring and shy, you should see him when the scrambled eggs are served. Not to mention when he gets his sister on her back in the box. Once she has given up trying to get my attention, that is.
Showing posts with label pen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pen. Show all posts
Wednesday, 7 December 2016
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
gear
Over the years I have accumulated quite a bit of gear for the puppies. With my first litter I had little more than whelping box, small indoor pen and small outdoor pen plus a few toys. When the second litter came along and there was NINE of them - almost double the number of puppies in a normal litter - I bought a second indoor pen and a second outdoor one to double the size.
There are lots of disposable items that are new with each litter. Each one sees a new whelping box, new puppy toys, new syringes for various purposes such as administering wormer. Then there are the bigger items of equipment that last from one litter to the next like new liners & vet beds for the whelping box. For Emmi's litter I have invested in a couple of new things. I'm still using the two big pens and now I have a reusable whelping box too.
I have always been concerned about leaving 4- or 5-week-old puppies unattended in the outdoor pen. We have a lot birds of prey around here, and one of them could very easily carry off a small Lapphund puppy. This year I was even more worried as it was only a week or two before the puppies moved downstairs that the news was full of the poor little Yorkshire terrier that was attacked and killed by gulls in Cornwall. I'm hoping the Chudleigh gulls are not as aggressive as Cornish ones, but I don't feel the need to take any chances. So for these puppies I also invested in a gazebo. Not only does it shield them from passing gulls and hawks, but it also provides them with some handy shade. Particularly useful for these sun-averse puppies. And pretty good shade for the humans too on those rare occasions that we get enough sun to need to escape.
Under the shelter of the gazebo, this is what was going on in the outdoor pen at 9pm last night.
There are lots of disposable items that are new with each litter. Each one sees a new whelping box, new puppy toys, new syringes for various purposes such as administering wormer. Then there are the bigger items of equipment that last from one litter to the next like new liners & vet beds for the whelping box. For Emmi's litter I have invested in a couple of new things. I'm still using the two big pens and now I have a reusable whelping box too.
I have always been concerned about leaving 4- or 5-week-old puppies unattended in the outdoor pen. We have a lot birds of prey around here, and one of them could very easily carry off a small Lapphund puppy. This year I was even more worried as it was only a week or two before the puppies moved downstairs that the news was full of the poor little Yorkshire terrier that was attacked and killed by gulls in Cornwall. I'm hoping the Chudleigh gulls are not as aggressive as Cornish ones, but I don't feel the need to take any chances. So for these puppies I also invested in a gazebo. Not only does it shield them from passing gulls and hawks, but it also provides them with some handy shade. Particularly useful for these sun-averse puppies. And pretty good shade for the humans too on those rare occasions that we get enough sun to need to escape.
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| Keskiyo modelling the gazebo |
Under the shelter of the gazebo, this is what was going on in the outdoor pen at 9pm last night.
Friday, 7 August 2015
moving day
I was getting worried there for a minute. These puppies were getting really unbelievably noisy. Especially at night. The more noisy they got (at 2am and 3am and 4am), the more we shut them in, sealed the windows and doors and tried to find a way for us (and our long-suffering neighbours) to get some sleep.
And then there was the worry about how the new owners would cope with them.
After two nights of increasingly disturbing decibels, I moved the little sods downstairs 3 days earlier than I normally would. And then - voila! - the noise stopped. Looks like the poor little mites were overheating in that small room. And of course the more I shut them in the hotter they got. It was a bit of a vicious circle - or a figure-8 even.
And in case there was any doubt what they were squawking about, this morning they went out into their garden pen and had a fabulous time. A bit later they went out again ... the sun was shining ... it was quite warm out there ... I was a bit slow in getting some shade up for them ... and, lo, the racket started up again. They were stomping around, tongues hanging out, yelling their heads off. Brought them back in, quiet ensued.
Proper little snow dogs.
They are 4 weeks old today, so new portraits going up tomorrow. If I find time to edit them, that is. Because we have a houseful of people coming to see the puppies this weekend and I have about an hour of work per person to make the house halfway presentable. Wish me luck!
When the puppies moved into the big pen downstairs, the first point of business was to get to know their great-granny Neka.
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| Neka wastes no time getting acquainted (& checking for food) |
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| And then there was Auntie Tuuli to meet |
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| Too much excitement! |
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| Eating from their own little bowls now |
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| All in a row |
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| First time in the big wide world |
Tuesday, 10 December 2013
clever puppies
It amazes me with every litter that by the time they are 6 weeks old, the first puppies are asking to go outside for poos. Actually, that's not strictly accurate (before you think that they are all housetrained by 6 weeks). They may not be asking to go out, as such, but by that age they are complaining when they need a poo. I recognise the particular grumpy sounding yap and pop the noisy one outside whereupon he or she promptly runs around in a circle and has a poo. It's not a long way from that to the puppy learning that poo = outside, and by the time they leave here they are definitely making the connection. In fact, if these puppies are properly supervised when they leave here, there is unlikely to be even one accident inside the house (poo-wise).
It's very clever. And who do you suppose the first one was to "ask" to go outside? Fiia. But now they all do it, and it's a race to see if I can get them all into the outdoor pen in time. I usually miss by one, or sometimes two, wees.
Another thing they are learning is climbing, which they start doing as they make moves to try and escape the pen. That's all I need! I haven't had one under the age of 9 weeks escape yet, but it really doesn't help that Tuuli is definitely trying to teach them how to jump over. For now, thankfully, they must content themselves with peering over the door in a cute fashion.
It's very clever. And who do you suppose the first one was to "ask" to go outside? Fiia. But now they all do it, and it's a race to see if I can get them all into the outdoor pen in time. I usually miss by one, or sometimes two, wees.
Another thing they are learning is climbing, which they start doing as they make moves to try and escape the pen. That's all I need! I haven't had one under the age of 9 weeks escape yet, but it really doesn't help that Tuuli is definitely trying to teach them how to jump over. For now, thankfully, they must content themselves with peering over the door in a cute fashion.
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| Fiia - Tito - Talvi - Kai |
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| Something interesting over there |
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| Tito - Talvi - Fiia - Kaito |
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| 4 pups, 1 yawn |
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| Talvi - Kaito - Kai |
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| Practicing the head tilt |
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
water water everywhere
A few days ago I posted a photo of the entire litter all crammed into one corner of the pen, all trying to sleep next to the water bowl. In each litter there is always (at least) one puppy who insists on sleeping with his head dipping into the water bowl. In Taito's litter it was Karhu, in Maija's litter it was Jaska, in the subsequent litters it was Minna, Kiittaa and, in the case of the Persikka puppies, ALL of them. Water babies, every one.
In this litter it is, again, every one of them, although some are perhaps slightly more enamoured than others. I blame Tuuli who loves water like a spaniel. The Pippuri puppies are all obsessed with the water bowl which means the pen (and surrounding floor) is constantly soaked. They sleep around the bowl, they jostle each other trying to get the best position next to the bowl, they stand with front feet in the bowl (Mini, Fiia, Sox), they dig in the water bowl (Tito, Tuulen). What a mess! I am trying to discourage them from this because the last thing their new families will want is water everywhere all the time, but I think it is a habit that will only recede with time and maturity. Hopefully. Just ask Keskiyo, who still likes the occasional dig in the water bowl.
And it could be worse. Neka's father Pascha used to pick up his (full) water bowl, carry it carefully into the living room and then drop it. These puppies didn't stand a chance, really, did they.
And so to the photographic evidence.
As you can imagine, I prefer the puppies to spend plenty of time in the garden where, mysteriously, they ignore the water bowl! Some action shots from the outdoor pen.
In this litter it is, again, every one of them, although some are perhaps slightly more enamoured than others. I blame Tuuli who loves water like a spaniel. The Pippuri puppies are all obsessed with the water bowl which means the pen (and surrounding floor) is constantly soaked. They sleep around the bowl, they jostle each other trying to get the best position next to the bowl, they stand with front feet in the bowl (Mini, Fiia, Sox), they dig in the water bowl (Tito, Tuulen). What a mess! I am trying to discourage them from this because the last thing their new families will want is water everywhere all the time, but I think it is a habit that will only recede with time and maturity. Hopefully. Just ask Keskiyo, who still likes the occasional dig in the water bowl.
And it could be worse. Neka's father Pascha used to pick up his (full) water bowl, carry it carefully into the living room and then drop it. These puppies didn't stand a chance, really, did they.
And so to the photographic evidence.
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| 3 puppies, 1 bowl |
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| 4 puppies, 1 bowl |
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| Somehow Sox manages to tip it over! |
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| Very pleased with himself & his wet head |
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| New idea: bowl-inside-a-bowl. Very exciting, apparently. |
As you can imagine, I prefer the puppies to spend plenty of time in the garden where, mysteriously, they ignore the water bowl! Some action shots from the outdoor pen.
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| They love playing in and around boxes |
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| Try to get a group shot but there's always one in the box |
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
out in the world
By the age of 5 weeks, most of my litters of puppies have already spent quite a lot of their days outdoors in the garden pen. This year the weather turned very cold just as the puppies moved downstairs so I held off a few days before putting them out and then they only went out for a few minutes.
Since then they have been going out each day but only for a little while. In fact, approximately the length of time it takes me to clean out the indoor pen. What I ever did with earlier litters of puppies when it rained I cannot remember! I shall have to have a browse back through the blog to find out - I distinctly remember the Monta puppies got rained on a lot. They were in and out of the outdoor pen so often that I wanted to install a revolving door in my lounge.
Anyway, the Pippuri puppies don't last long out in the garden because at this age they get tired quickly and it's too cold to leave them out there for a snooze. But in the meantime they have a blast. Straight away they were full of confidence.
In other news... I see that some of you have already spotted that there is a new, final poll. Final!? How have we managed to get to the point where we are planning final anythings with these puppies? Nevertheless, it's true - the puppies will be weighed for the last time this week. So the final poll is this: Who will be the biggest at 5 weeks old? Will Mini maintain her superior size or will one of the boys finally steal her crown? You have until Friday to vote.
Since then they have been going out each day but only for a little while. In fact, approximately the length of time it takes me to clean out the indoor pen. What I ever did with earlier litters of puppies when it rained I cannot remember! I shall have to have a browse back through the blog to find out - I distinctly remember the Monta puppies got rained on a lot. They were in and out of the outdoor pen so often that I wanted to install a revolving door in my lounge.
Anyway, the Pippuri puppies don't last long out in the garden because at this age they get tired quickly and it's too cold to leave them out there for a snooze. But in the meantime they have a blast. Straight away they were full of confidence.
In other news... I see that some of you have already spotted that there is a new, final poll. Final!? How have we managed to get to the point where we are planning final anythings with these puppies? Nevertheless, it's true - the puppies will be weighed for the last time this week. So the final poll is this: Who will be the biggest at 5 weeks old? Will Mini maintain her superior size or will one of the boys finally steal her crown? You have until Friday to vote.
Thursday, 22 March 2012
out!
Yesterday it was finally warm enough for the puppies to spend some time outside. First they had lunch then a quick top-up from mum, who was also delighted to get some fresh air for a longer period than it takes to have a quick wee.
She even stuck around to play with them for a while.
Once Keksi exited the pen it was time for playing and running around. They weren't always 100% sure about the wind stuff, and their little tails would go down, but they were soon up again.
Then it was time for a snooze. And they were happy to pile up in a heap in the shade.
Of course I didn't forget to get a video of their first time in the outdoor pen.
She even stuck around to play with them for a while.
Once Keksi exited the pen it was time for playing and running around. They weren't always 100% sure about the wind stuff, and their little tails would go down, but they were soon up again.
Then it was time for a snooze. And they were happy to pile up in a heap in the shade.
Of course I didn't forget to get a video of their first time in the outdoor pen.
Monday, 19 March 2012
4 week portraits
The puppies are very quiet this morning. This is a rather unusual event. Fair warning, new-owners-to-be, spring puppies wake up very early and increasingly so as the sky lightens more and more early.
It's no surprise they are tired this morning, though, as they had a big day yesterday. They moved into their new downstairs pen, met all the big dogs, and even had some visitors and cuddles from complete strangers (strange to them, anyway - we know them, obviously...) Actually, they had already met Tuuli already, because twice she sneaked upstairs when my back was turned and I found her in the box with the puppies. Yup.
In addition to all that, we had a lovely warm and sunny day so the puppies even had their 4-week photos taken outside and got a little taste of the big wide world. Interestingly, they weren't a bit fazed by the experience. In fact, Hopea and Claw did so much wriggling and wagging and wanting to run & play that it was difficult to get any shots of them at all.
Brown Wolf - preferred to stand rather than sit.
Hopea - looking a little bit sleepy here, but she soon woke up & then getting a photo was impossible, except for ones that were blurry with speed.
Toes - with ears back, taking in all the sounds of the great outdoors.
Little Ilo - In a bit of a funny pose, but you need to know how tough it is to get any photo at all. It's a legitimate excuse!
Claw - doing his fashion model pose.
Brownie - with a pretty good pose of his own.
And here are some cute getting-to-know-you pics from when the puppies first moved downstairs.
Neka saying hello and doing her granny duty. She spends as much time in the pen with the puppies as Keksi does.
No one else is allowed inside the pen, so Tuuli contents herself with saying hello and playing from the outside.
It's no surprise they are tired this morning, though, as they had a big day yesterday. They moved into their new downstairs pen, met all the big dogs, and even had some visitors and cuddles from complete strangers (strange to them, anyway - we know them, obviously...) Actually, they had already met Tuuli already, because twice she sneaked upstairs when my back was turned and I found her in the box with the puppies. Yup.
In addition to all that, we had a lovely warm and sunny day so the puppies even had their 4-week photos taken outside and got a little taste of the big wide world. Interestingly, they weren't a bit fazed by the experience. In fact, Hopea and Claw did so much wriggling and wagging and wanting to run & play that it was difficult to get any shots of them at all.
Brown Wolf - preferred to stand rather than sit.
Hopea - looking a little bit sleepy here, but she soon woke up & then getting a photo was impossible, except for ones that were blurry with speed.
Toes - with ears back, taking in all the sounds of the great outdoors.
Little Ilo - In a bit of a funny pose, but you need to know how tough it is to get any photo at all. It's a legitimate excuse!
Claw - doing his fashion model pose.
Brownie - with a pretty good pose of his own.
And here are some cute getting-to-know-you pics from when the puppies first moved downstairs.
Neka saying hello and doing her granny duty. She spends as much time in the pen with the puppies as Keksi does.
No one else is allowed inside the pen, so Tuuli contents herself with saying hello and playing from the outside.
Monday, 3 January 2011
pup in the box
... or out of the box, as the case may be.
A day earlier than scheduled, today the puppies moved from the whelping box in their dedicated room to the big pen downstairs. The reason? These advanced and most gregarious of puppies decided it was time to leave the whelping box behind - regardless of what we thought.
The night before, we heard a squawk and thump, which usually means a puppy has scrambled up to hang over the lip of the box and then tumbled back in. On this occasion, said puppy tumbled out rather than back in. That puppy was quickly followed the next morning by a second puppy who climbed up and, with a squeak, made the break for freedom.
One of the first 2 was female and one was male. But who was first?
Poll at the top right - you only have until about midnight on Wednesday to vote. And in the meantime, tomorrow is the 4-week photos and weight update. Already? Wow.
To entertain you for now, here is a minute & a half of the excitement when they first moved into the big pen. There's yapping, howling, running, skidding, weeing, wagging & playing. Enjoy!
A day earlier than scheduled, today the puppies moved from the whelping box in their dedicated room to the big pen downstairs. The reason? These advanced and most gregarious of puppies decided it was time to leave the whelping box behind - regardless of what we thought.
The night before, we heard a squawk and thump, which usually means a puppy has scrambled up to hang over the lip of the box and then tumbled back in. On this occasion, said puppy tumbled out rather than back in. That puppy was quickly followed the next morning by a second puppy who climbed up and, with a squeak, made the break for freedom.
One of the first 2 was female and one was male. But who was first?
Poll at the top right - you only have until about midnight on Wednesday to vote. And in the meantime, tomorrow is the 4-week photos and weight update. Already? Wow.
To entertain you for now, here is a minute & a half of the excitement when they first moved into the big pen. There's yapping, howling, running, skidding, weeing, wagging & playing. Enjoy!
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
a day in the life
It's hard work being a puppy. There's just so much to do.
You have to grow teeth ...
... try them out a few times
Then there's your home.
You need to keep out the riff raff ...
... rearrange the furniture ...
... make sure it's comfy ...
... for everyone, whatever their preference ...
... don't forget the soft furnishings.
All in all it can get pretty tiring ...
... and even then you've still got to earn your keep with modelling jobs.
Sometimes you just need to get away from it all.
You have to grow teeth ...
... try them out a few times
Then there's your home.
You need to keep out the riff raff ...
... rearrange the furniture ...
... make sure it's comfy ...
... for everyone, whatever their preference ...
... don't forget the soft furnishings.
All in all it can get pretty tiring ...
... and even then you've still got to earn your keep with modelling jobs.
Sometimes you just need to get away from it all.
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