Stu had
our basic "puppy kindergarten" and crate training before
he went to his new family at nine weeks of age. This is
an excerpt from the first emails I got after Stu arrived
in California:
"Linda, we
absolutely LOVE him. His flight was delayed but he
handled it all like a trooper. There were a number of
dogs that were a nervous wreck upon arrival but not Stu.
He came flying out of his crate ... ready to say hello
to everyone! The dogs came out in the crates, we showed
our IDs to collect them and we were off! We let the
puppies out and Stu, although tired and a little
confused, was by far the most together. He said hello to
everyone and went all over to check the airport parking
lot out. The other dogs stayed in one spot and just
shivered in fear. Not my boy! He made 12 new friends in
California!"
And an
email after his vet visit:
"He was a
very good boy at the vet. He commented on his
personality and "how loved" he must have been before
coming to California. He also reassured me that it was
fine to have Stu out and about. The risk to exposure of
parvo is low and as long as I avoided dog parks, I
should be fine!"
Before
our puppies go to their new homes they have had the
first two sets of puppy vaccinations. We use Vanguard
Plus 5 which has a high titer parvo vaccine which can
override the immunity from the mother to help the puppy
develop its own immunity early.
And
here's an excerpt from an email after Stu's new Mommy
watched a video I posted about Mattie's training to give
an example of how the puppies progress.
Click here to see the video.
"You
wouldn't believe it but at as soon as I started watching
the video you sent, Stu came running into the room and
stood at attention. It was obvious he recognized your
voice and the various noises from the farm! It was very
neat to watch. I played it two more times because he
enjoyed it so much."
Stu in his new home
Kathleen and Josh liked Stu so
well that they adopted his sister Lacey. More
feedback from them as they fill their home with
double the fun.
Lacey,
Josh and Stu
Mattie
Mattie
went home June 22 after completing the four week
training program. Her new family, Chris and Kelley, loved her long before
they got back to Kansas. Here's what her new Mom wrote
the next day:
"Just
wanted to let you know that we made it home and Mattie
was such a sweetheart the whole ride home. She slept and
played and put her head on my lap - so sweet. She got
home and met her new sister, our 4 year old cat, Mischa,
and things went really well. I am not sure what Mischa
thinks of Mattie, but Mattie loves Mischa and was really
good about sitting and staying so that Mischa could
smell her. She has not yet had an accident in the house.
She was good last night in the crate - she only got up a
couple times to go out. She is the sweetest puppy and we
just love her. You can really tell that she was well
cared for and loved. I will send pictures as soon as I
take some. Talk to you soon!"
And three weeks later
Kelley wrote:
"We have had
Mattie for almost 3 weeks now and I have to tell you
that she is the best dog and we are loving her more and
more everyday. Putting her in your training program has
really spoiled us because we have this incredibly well
behaved dog who listens to us and is so good. You did an
incredible job with Mattie as she is well trained and
has the sweetest disposition. You can really tell that
you love and care for the dogs, as it really shows in
Mattie. She does have her puppy moments where she is
playful and we have a blast playing ball with her and
running around the backyard. Mattie has had quite a few
visitors since we got her and all of our friends and
family are amazed at how well behaved and sweet tempered
she is. I attribute all of these wonderful
characteristics to your care, love, and training before
we got her. You really did an amazing job and Mattie is
perfect. Mattie goes to puppy's day out and the owner
told us that one of the other puppy's moms called to see
if Mattie was going to be there because her puppy loves
Mattie. I thought it was cute - Mattie makes friends
with other dogs and people very easily. She is
especially good with my 2 1/2 year old niece. I will
send more pictures when I take some and updates as
Mattie grows up."
