Breeze's Big Weekend

Breeze and her buddy, Spencer, hanging out at the training center last Thursday before I started teaching classes.  Spencer's family also has a Sky Acres Terv (Kitty) and mom, Christine, is a Family Dog instructor.   Spencer is a terrific puppy socializer.  He follows instructions and is very gentle with the puppies!  

Breeze had her first "dog show" experience this past weekend when we visited the Terv Specialty at Auburn Game Farm Park.  Although technically too young to officially visit a dog show, Breeze and quite a few other puppies from other breeders were along and kept at a respectful distance back from the rings.   (This is one of the nice things about small specialty shows!)

Breeze's brothers (orange and red collars -- I don't know if they have names yet!) came to visit as well.  Breeze had a brief play session with her blue collared brother, but the play got way too rough (Breeze is a brat with her littermates) so they were soon separated.  Interestingly enough, Breeze shows good respect for her elders...but she definitely wants to beat up her littermates whenever she has the chance.   I cannot allow her to do this; it's not good for her ego to continue to inflate and it's not good for her brothers!   I'll be searching for the appropriate play partners for Breeze...she needs to learn that she's not always going to be top dog, but in a safe and appropriate way.

Breeze spent time learning to entertain herself in a wire crate under Mary's canopy.  This allowed Breeze to watch people and dogs, take a nap and chew on bones.  Several times over the course of the afternoon she came out to visit and go for walks, although I had to stay on my toes to keep other dogs away from her.  (She was a good girl and went potty on leash at the show!) It amazes me that some people think it's okay to allow their adult dogs to simply walk right up to puppies!   Breeze is too young to meet dogs that I don't know.  She needs to continue to have the "right" experiences.

Fortunately people did ask before petting Breeze and by the time the day was over, she had made lots of new friends.

A couple of people have expressed concern about taking puppies away from home at this age (Breeze turned 12 weeks on Saturday) and whether or not puppies this age are too young for puppy classes.  I am of the belief that there is more potential harm done to a puppy by sequestering it for 4 to 6 months, than enrolling it in a proper puppy class where the facility is cleaned and disinfected regularly.  

I also believe a puppy has greater chance of getting sick from going for walks in the park or neighborhood, than going to puppy class.  When Breeze attended the dog show, I used common sense and kept her away from dogs we didn't know, and took her off in the distance to go potty.

At 12 weeks, socialization is critical for Breeze's proper development.  Not just any socialization, but carefully screened situations where she gets to meet new people, children and trustworthy, healthy dogs.   Over the past 35 years I've seen way too many dogs (herding breeds in particular) end up with serious behavioral problems (usually fear aggression) because the owners waited too long to start socialization and puppy manners classes.