The Misty x Laddie pups turned 7 weeks old Wednesday Mar 26, 2020. They were old enough to temperament test, but they had their vet check and shots that day, so I gave them a couple of days to recuperate before testing. I *was* pleased that the vet stated in a litter encompassing report, "They all appear to be in great condition and well cared for. Everyone was bright, alert, and very curious during their exams." Due to the current state of global affairs surrounding Covid 19, for the first time ever, I was unable to accompany a litter of pups into the vet clinic. I really like to be there to re-assure each pup, observe how each one handles the new situation & people - all the subtle nuances like tail & ear set, etc. It gives me a LOT of information to go on. So that has been a BIG disappointment. However, we spent several days performing the Puppy Temperament Tests (it's a pdf) as well as making & evaluating videos of a Marker Training session (Please see the individual puppy descriptions below to view the videos), and herding instinct tests in order to evaluate not only pups' interest in herding but also how each pup responds to new sights, sounds, unexpected noises and movements, and how quickly they bounce back from being startled, etc. Here are the herding test videos (on duck). Done at -13*, I'll add! 1) Green & Silver. 2) Purple & Blue 3) Red & Pink 4) Spot & Gold *With all videos, click the link, then click the video to open it fully.*
After viewing the herding test videos, a fellow ES breeder who competes in herding stated that, "All the pups did wonderfully meeting the duck." She said that Green would be a close second pick for a working farm dog (Spot being first). She loved Pink, too. And said that even Red "will be an excellent working prospect".
Pups did a bit more marker training with me this week, but not a lot since I was quite sick for several days. We're working on sit, turn, spin, up, off, stand, settle, and down. The pups understand the word 'sit', some understand 'off'. They are still being lured with most other words, although they're generally quicker to respond overall now. So, this litter isn't as 'marker trained' as some of my previous litters, but... that's the way it goes. They at least have been exposed to marker training, show some understanding, and a real willingness to work with me. Photo shows one of the set ups for training.
One side benefit of marker training pups, besides the obvious, is that it helps them to learn that hands approaching them mean something good is happening. Another thing I try to do as an extension of that, is add food to their bowl as their eating after training so that, once again, food approaching their head and bowl of food is a GOOD thing. This helps to prevent food aggressive behaviour. Not pretty videos, b/c the room wasn't super bright, and I didn't have my tripod handy, but here are a few getting that lesson. (More were taken during the individual training sessions - see individual puppy pics / descriptions further down.) Pink Purple Spot
Some of the pups will respond at first by pushing into my hand with their head, because they're used to having to keep other pups out of their food, and they're slightly more dominant in nature. However, once they realize that not only is it my hand, but that it's delivering treats, they usually relax. With some pups that takes one time, with others, that takes a few times. Gold was one I noticed took a bit longer to relax than some of the others (I didn't get all of them on video). But, thanks to the fact that they've already associated my hands with food through marker training, I haven't had any be reactive.
On another tangent, I've been unsatisfied with previous litter water bowl solutions. They get so dirty so fast, with a lot of water spillage. So I decided to try the 2 quart Snappy Fit water bowls for this litter even though a few people warned online that they were difficult to pull out or put in without sloshing water. However, they were one of the few decent quality larger options that were available HERE & NOW.
Thankfully, my creative dh came up with a wonderful solution for removal - a perfectly sized cutting board. Voila! No spillage! He's wonderful at trouble shooting! :)
We liked the first bowl so much, we ended up adding another SF this past week.
The pups are really getting used to the vaccum cleaner now. Pink loves to chase it, Silver likes to chew on the nozzle, Blue thinks perhaps he should bark at it (thankfully NOT non-stop!). Most of the pups check it out and show curiosity.
And, while not loving the crate, they're starting to get used to it.
I expanded the puppy pen not ONCE, but TWICE this week, and added some new toys. The pups are enjoying the extra play space :)
Purple, Gold & Spot playing in the first expanded area before I rearranged the potty boxes.
Puppy weights: Vet weighed the pups this week. Gold & Blue were tied for chunkiest at 12.1 lbs. Red was the shocker (I really need to re-weigh to double check) but vet weighed him at a whopping 11.9 lbs! Pink was overtaken by all her siblings, so she is the smallest at 10.1 lbs.
*Before viewing the training videos*
A couple of caveats. Once again, these videos are a glimpse of a moment in time and not the full picture. Take them along with the other videos, pictures and explanations you've seen to form a more well-rounded idea. (That being said, I think that I will be adjusting Purple's description the most after temperament testing, but we'll see). As well, please keep in mind that these pups are just 7 weeks old. The potential they have at this point in time can be brought to fruition or hindered depending on how they are raised from here on out. There is a lot of maturation and training that goes on AFTER they leave here to make a dog into a trustworthy and pleasing companion. These pups just have a bit of a head start. :) Thirdly, I want to point out - even though I've got years of marker training under my belt now, I still managed to mess up a few of the marks, lol 🤪🤷♀️ And by the time I got to last puppy, Blue, my brain was absolutely fried. Ah well, this way you can see I'm human, in case that wasn't already obvious ;) So, while the concept of marker training is easy, it isn't easy to do when you're dealing with very quick moving puppies. Be aware of that as you train them. If you make a mistake, just do it again so the pup learns what you're actually trying to teach instead of what you accidentally rewarded. Don't take it too seriously - have fun with your pup - but also realize that timing is important :)
Individual puppy pics (Day 57) *I was busy testing & evaluating this week, so didn't get a chance to take many pictures; the majority of info is in video format for now. All pups that are not obviously sable appear to be some version of b/w or seal (more info here & here).
Blue (m) - SOLD B/w. This boy trains willingly, but is somewhat more cautious than some, particularly when in a new situation. I also find him a bit more independent in nature and a little slower to forgive perceived affronts. That being said, he is gentle taking food from my hand, he offers a natural sit at times, he does forgive, he does warm up, and he isn't as soft overall as Red. Blue has decided that the vacuum cleaner is a curiosity and should be woofed at on occasion. Overall, Blue did very well on his temperament test. Majority of fours, with 1 two, four 3's, and 3 fives. He, like Red, can be intimidated by new surroundings, but seems to bounce back more easily than Red. And his 2 was also for a high pain threshold. He's shown a bit of independence in comparison to the other pups in the litter, but scored no independence on the test, & is more people focused compared to the breeds that are known for independence. Blue training session
(Please excuse the extra noise in the background with Blue; my non computer literate husband was teaching his now online students - he's used to teaching them face-to-face on the shop floor... & I need to build a training room, lol :D ). Blue's post-training had nothing of note - face in the bowl eating, lol, no reaction to my giving him food, and was loud due to the lesson in the background, so I haven't included it.
Gold (m) - SOLD Shaded sable. He's a medium pup with fairly gentle demeanor. That being said, still waters run deep & he is capable of throwing a puppy temper tantrum, but does correct. He trains well, albeit with a bit of distractibility in new situations. He likes the benefits of pleasing, so offers behaviors he knows will be liked, and gives a short wag when praised. On their very first outside excursion, he & Green were the first pups to exit the crate - on the double - to find mom. (There's a reason he's the chunkiest pup! lol ) He was also one of the first 2 pups back into the calf sled (with Green) once he got tired of cold footing. On the temperament test, Gold had an even split between 3's and 4's for majority numbers, with 1 ~4.5 (not quite 4, not quite 5), with 3 two's mixed in. Those 2's were in regards to restraint, etc, so he's testing a bit higher for human dominance. Nothing extreme tho. Very workable. he's a bit lower energy than some / laid back. He was uncomfortable with the duck during the herding test, and with my mask, so showed some avoidance behaviour. Gold Training Video Gold Post-training Video
Green (m) - *AVAILABLE*
Black & white boy.
Green is eager to train, friendly and very waggy. He's quite agile on his feet and was able to make the turns with more dexterity earlier than some. On our first outside excursion, Green and Gold were the first 2 pups out of the crate - like a flash - to find mom. Green did find having a goat in his face a bit daunting (I mistook him for Blue at first), and growled and woofed a bit. In the video, I mentioned that Silver's collar was coming undone, but it was actually Gold - IF I'd looked at the face rather than the silver inner lining of the collar, I'd have realized this, lol :p ) Green's temperament test showed a majority of 4's, with 1 two, 3 threes, and a 4.5. The 2 for him was for high pain tolerance. One of the 3's was in restraint, so a bit more dominance than nothing, but not much issue there. He's a bit higher energy, but not as high as Pink. Pink is easier to focus on task than Green, but still highly trainable. Very food motivated. I think he'd be good with children provided the owners taught him acceptable behaviours. According to a more experienced herder than I, Green shows a lot of promise as a working farm dog. However, I believe him to be a perfect example of versatility too; he should fit in almost anywhere that gives him exercise and works his brain.
Purple (f) - SOLD
Sable with Black mask. This little lady is an interesting mixture. In familiar territory Purple is confident and has a bit of a 'tude. In new surroundings, she displays some cautiousness, but quickly overcomes her misgivings and responds to the majority of training with tail up. At 4.5 weeks of age she hopped up into the potty area & did her business, then emphatically marked her territory by scuffing the pellets with her hind legs, looked up at me and barked, "Rrruff". Soooo very proud of herself! Lol 😂 I have never seen a puppy this young give those type of territorial signals. If she keeps up like this, she will need a dog savvy owner who will not let her rule the roost. Purple is a vivacious & very photogenic puppy. Her attitude has softened a bit over the past couple of weeks - the respect training (only rewarding behaviors I want) appears to be helping to mellow her slightly. This does not mean that she is less bossy, just that she's learning to modify it somewhat, but she still has an opinion and occasionally gives me a bit of a bark to express it. She will still walk all over anyone who does not show her consistent, fair leadership. She was the fifth pup to exit the calf sled on their first outdoor excursion. She was neither overly rambunctious nor overly cautious with all the new experiences. Video has a variety of pups in it, but also shows Purple. In her temperament test, Purple was also scored a majority of 4's, with 3 twos & 3 threes. Some of those 2's were in relation to restraint, etc, so she's testing similar to Gold in regards to dominance. She was one of only 2 pups who retrieved for me this week. She's a bit more vocal than Gold (not extreme), and a bit bossier in her outward behaviour, whereas Gold hides it well until he figures it needs to come out... (we call it the 'closet dominant'). I think she'll need a lot of exposure to new things to build her confidence, but that in familiar territory she'll have a tendency to want to be bossy & assertive, although she can learn rules & acceptable behaviours with proper training. Purple Training & Post-Training Video
Red (m) - *RESERVED*
Red is b/w with the possibility of seal. He is a soft, gentle pup. He likes to please & was one of the first pups to offer a sit before the other pups did (they've caught up to him now). It takes him a little while to warm up to new surroundings. Red is one of two pups that would rather work for his food with me than eat it on his own. He eats best while training, and will abandon food (like Pink & Opal) to visit; he likes companionship. I've got a series of photos of him sitting and watching me while all the other pups played or slept, etc. (He's not the only one that watches me at times, but this one was particularly long given the new play toys and space with which he could have been distracted.)
Red watching me:
Whereas both Gold & Purple 'checked in' with me - for one photo, and gone again. Not a bad thing; there are other times they pay more attention to me as well. And there were pups sleeping, like Silver, who also like to observe. However, the length of time with Red's attention was something that caught my eye. :)
Red likes to please & was one of the first pups to offer a sit before the other pups did (they've caught up to him now). It takes him a little while to warm up to new surroundings. During training, he takes the food from my fingers very gently. Interestingly, after taking a little while to adapt, he became one of the more exploratory pups on our first outdoor excursion, even going so far as to meet a goat on his own. Red temperament tested surprisingly well with an even split of 3's and 4's, along with 1 two, and 1 five. (but we caught a glimpse of that with exploratory behaviour in the first outdoor excursion) The 2 was for a high pain threshold, nothing to do with dominance; he's naturally submissive and wants to please. However, he *can be*, but isn't always, intimidated by new surroundings, and when he does shut down, he doesn't always bounce back easily. Regardless, my herding contact has stated that she thinks that he has the potential to be an excellent working prospect (I qualify that by stating, 'under the right circumstances and leadership'). Due to his gentle, submissive nature he'd be perfect for a home with children except for not bouncing back easily from things he finds stressful, so this boy would likely be best in a quieter or older children home. Red Training & Post Training Video
Silver (m) - SOLD
Shaded sable with black mask. I call this boy my friendly 'Gator'. He snaps the food off my hand eagerly with a wide open mouth, yet doesn't bite. His dad does the same thing. He trains fairly eagerly, albeit with a few distractable moments. A friendly, waggy, and contemplative guy who likes to sit back and intently observe things, he likes to make eye contact. Silver has decided that the running vacuum is a wonderful chew toy, lol. Silver was the 4th pup out of the calf sled on our first outdoor excursion, but found the goat nickering at him a bit disturbing. Silver tested with a majority of 3's, along with three 2's, two 4's, and one 5; he scored surprisingly low on the pinch test. He also didn't bounce back quickly after a bad experience with a gander chasing him. However, while a bit sensitive, overall he's a pretty even keeled pup with an eagerness to please, a nice balance of people and task focus, lots of eye contact, and he's fairly self-contained - not a pushy / assertive pup.
Pink (f) - SOLD
This girl may be a seal. Her hair is becoming fluffier, too. Pink really came into her own during her 6th week. She is still a friendly, gentle pup, but has become far more confident. She is sweet. I consider her to be a contemplative eater (like Red). When alone, she samples, looks up to survey her terrain, then daintily eats some more in a cyclical fashion. In the pack, however, she eats voraciously. She is also one of two pups that prefers to work for her food (or abandon her food if it means she gets to be with me.). She reminds me a lot of Opal that way. Unlike some dogs that abandon everything else once food is served, Opal will voluntarily leave her food and accompany me on chores, and will not return to eat it until we're done. She trains well, warms up to new surroundings quickly, and becomes waggy. Pink thinks that the running vacuum is something to chase and pounce on. She was the 3rd pup out of the calf sled on our first outdoor excursion. She pounced around, met a goat, was the only one to get really close to the cat (this is the same video as I posted for Red) then had the wisdom to take heed of the warning in his voice, and move to safer ground, lol. Pink is a high energy pup who scored a majority 4's, with 2 twos, 2 threes, 2 fives and 1 six. The twos were friendly, social behaviour. She has a naturally people submissive temperament. She was also one of 2 pups (Spot being the other) that mouthed the duck's feathers during the herding test.
Spot (m) - SOLD
This boy is highly likely to be a silver seal; he has quite a greyish hue to his coat. Spot has a blue eye as well (One of Laddie's litter brothers had blue eyes). Spot trains eagerly. He's a friendly, social butterfly who is quick, cheerful, playful and waggy. He likes to make eye contact. However, he has become a bit more cautious when faced with new situations this week - he was the last pup out of the crate on the first outdoor excursion. We'll see how that plays out as he continues to develop - he appears to have overcome that at this time. He was my fellow ES breeder / herding expert's top pick for a working farm dog. He also was one of 2 pups to retrieve a ball for me this week. Spot tested with a majority of 3's & 4's, with 1 One (for a very high - off the chart - pinch threshold). He's very people focused. I'm thinking Medium to Medium / high energy, but lower than Pink. He was one of 2 pups that nibbled on the duck's feathers. He has on occasion been vocal in the crate (most of the pups have taken turns with that). Spot Training Video Spot Post-training Video
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