Tibetan Terrier Madness

Now 10 1/2 weeks old, the puppies are just fun! Mad!

Haring around at Tibetan Terrier miles per hour, running into things, jumping over each other, barking for attention... This is a house of Tibetan Terrier madness...

But we love it!

At just under 9 weeks old, Mario, our "Sable", went to his new home. We've heard he's loving his new toys and being in the garden, and we all think of him, but know that he's gone to a family who will love him very much.

Tomorrow, Zeus, our "Ryan", is leaving us for his new home too. The puppy's characters have really developed since they were 8-9 weeks old, and I can see why some breeders or people showing dogs will wait until this time, before they make their decisions about which puppy to keep or buy.

Zeus is the youngest of the four, and he is lovely natured. He loves to be cuddled especially first thing in the morning and seems to be the most intelligent of the four. I worked on leash training with him last week and he picked it up immediately, and he was the first to learn to "sit" too.  

Oreo, our "Claude" is with us for another 10 days or so. He will have a little further to travel, so it is important that all the right measures are put in place. So Monday week, we'll say goodbye to him. He's 'Oreo the Brave'.  He seems to have no fear, and rather than running away from a strange noise, will run straight up to it. He was the first to discover the stairs and where they lead (we have doors at the bottom but he thought following his mum would be great fun). And any new area, he is allowed to go to, he is right there! He has got a little barky for when he wants attention, so I spoke to my dog trainer (Summer the mum, and I go to Agility classes), and she gave me a few tricks to try. And they seem to be working already! Fingers crossed...

Sky has really been overshadowed by the boys. Whilst Zeus will sit back and watch, and Oreo will dive in, Sky seems to sit between the two. Maybe once Zeus is with his new family, we'll discover more about our little girl!!

Warnings to owners of 10-11 week puppies. Watch your washing! I keep finding socks in the garden. I've now realised that whilst I'm loading the washing machine, if a sock misses the drum, it disappears veeeerrrryyy quickly!!  Washing hanging on the line is also very easily accessible...  As are hanging tea towels in the kitchen....

TT Puppies at 7 to 8 weeks old

Well how much fun are 7 week puppies? 

I'd put fun above hard work, but they are time consuming (I wouldn't have it any other way)...

All the puppies now have lovely new homes to go to and new names, but they'll be with us for at least another few weeks or so.

There are advantages and disadvantages to summer time puppies. The advantages for us breeding them at that time (and really not having any choice), is that we can open the back door, and the puppies just love playing in the garden. This keeps our carpets clear of puppy poop etc!

The disadvantages though are maybe for the puppy's family, in that due to long time prearranged commitments, the puppy's can't venture into their new homes at 8 weeks, but will be leaving at 9 to nearly 11 weeks old.  But I know that all the families are really excited about their new family member.

Orio (previously Claude) learnt last week how to jump out of the whelping box at night and kept leaving me little parcels in the lounge. The funny thing was though, that he got back into the box as if nothing had happened!

When Sky (our girl) started to do the same, it was time to take action, and we took out the pig rails.  So far so good. 

That was until last night when a parcel was left at the bottom of the stairs (Sky's spot).  Time for a re-think, I think!

Playing

Our four Tibetan Terrier puppies (3 boys, 1 girl) are having a whale of a time! Summer, their mum, has just started to play with them and in general, is returning gradually to her pre-pregnant self. She spent about 20 or so minutes playing with Zeus (previously Ryan) the other night, rolling him, tapping him with her paws, jumping around him - it was a joy to watch.  She's since done the same with Mario (previously Sable), who is a bit like his name sake, Super Mario, darting around the garden. I'm sure she'll do the same with Oreo (previously Claude) soon.

The toys the puppies like are their small soft toys which we bought from charity shops, and the toys some of our friends have bought them too. Small chewy toys which they can pick up easily. Empty toilet rolls and kitchen rolls, go down very well. My slippers. Our toes. Anything hanging on the washing line that they can reach. Small sticks and branches. Summer's ears. Corners of mats. Dish clothes and socks pupped out of the washing basket as I take them out of the washing machine...  You get the picture!

Newspaper

I've been so thankful for all the newspaper that our friends and friends of friends have supplied us with. You just can't have enough! We filled two shelves of a cupboard and as it keeps being topped up, we haven't emptied a shelf yet.  I will be giving bundles to our puppy's families to use. It really soon goes...

Inoculations

Yesterday (Wednesday), we took the puppies (and Summer) to have their first inoculations. They were very good and the vet was lovely. She also gave them all a good check, listening to their hearts, checking every nook and cranny, and all were given a very good bill of health!

Tomorrow, we will be going back to the vets for the TT puppy's final (whilst with us) dose of worming medicine. It's a three day course, given by syringe. It tastes really nasty (if the puppy's faces are anything to go by)!!

Puppies need to be wormed EVERY month - at LEAST - up to 6 months. As Sky will be staying with us, once the other puppies have gone to their homes, we'll be starting her on Advocat. If your dog or puppy laps at puddle water (as the advert says), your dog is in danger of lung worm which is carried by slugs and snails. Lung worm, if not treated, can kill your dog, so just know the signs to spot. It also keeps fleas away, and we've found that ticks don't develop as quickly and sometimes even die (horrid things) with Advocat!




I'm in the middle of preparing a load of photos to load. I'll TRY to get these on the site tomorrow.

Five week old Puppies

Well our gorgeous little boys and girls are growing up!

They really look like Tibetan Terrier puppies now, with curled up tails and fluffy to boot!

It's been difficult to find time to write the blog over the last few weeks, as I've been so so busy, puppy sitting (well, playing)..

The puppies were all registered to The Kennel Club at 5 weeks of age, and within the week, we've quite likely sold them all. I'm happy that as far as I can tell, their new homes sound wonderful, but I'm also a little sad that I may not see some of them again.

WORMING
Yes, what a delightful topic! At our vets, the worming place at 2/3 weeks and then at 5 weeks and 8 weeks, so this week I drove the TTs including mum, Summer, to our vets for their first of three day course of disgusting tasting worming mixture, which is fed via a syringe.  I then give them each a dose on day 2 (which was today) and again on day 3. Then next visit will be at 8 weeks.

GROWING UP

Week Five of looking after puppies has been great fun. Their characters have really developed... and so have their teeth!  TTs are know for slow cutting of teeth, but Sky (girl) has a full set of pincers (and I've experienced them..ouch!). Claude (white and black) has the next amount of teeth but still a few days behind Sky, and the two sables, are gummy with just the odd tooth poking through.

The puppies have learnt to escape. There is only one area outside of the whelping box that the puppies could possibly get through, so we have a long box running the length of the space. Except Claude has learnt that if he throws himself at the box, it topples over and he can get out. So clever!  I was sitting eating breakfast in the lounge (as the table had to be dismantled in favour of the dog box) whilst the puppies were sleeping this morning, and a few moments later, in trots Little Claude with a soft toy in his mouth... closely followed by Ryan. I wish I'd had a camcorder running!

Sky and Claude's hair is really growing. But all the puppy's hair looks lovely, and I've been brushing them everyday with a soft brush and a pin head brush, so they get used to it when they go to their new homes. We have Summer's hair cut as a "puppy cut", which suits our family life and she is happier with a light coat than a long heavy one. But for showing, their hair cannot be cut, and as this is what we will try with Sky, and possibly Sable (different owners), we will have an 'interesting' time with this long coat. I am told though, by a reliable source (Judy), that it should only take 30 minutes every day - but MUST be done every day.. or you end up with knots.

So puppies... how do they look now?

ONLY TIME FOR (LITTLE) CLAUDE TONIGHT...rest tomorrow..

 

This little puppy, known as Claude (just for now) has won so many hearts.

He is bright and alert, loving and calm.

Get Puppy Smart

I found this lovely information cartoon guide about buying a new puppy.

Do look!

http://getpuppysmart.com/

Tibetan Terrier Puppies - 4 1/2 weeks old

Well what a week!

This hot temperature has been brilliant for drying oddles of 'vet bed', now our little Tibetan Terrier puppies - 1, 2, 3 and 4 - are weaning and then weeing and pooping, ALL over the place...

Above: Claude (left), Ryan, Sable (and Sky asleep in the back)

The Three Boys

Sleepy Sky

"I love my mummy" says Ryan!

Ryan (sitting), Sky and Claude (sleeping)

Summer with her chew. She wanted to hide it in the puppy play area! But ate it instead...

UPDATE

In the last week, the four puppies have not only leant to walk, but now run too! And they are just so funny!!

Eventually their little TT tails will curl over their backs, but for now the pups look a little like a fair ground bumper cars, with tails stuck straight up in the air and running backwards as well as forwards.

They can all escape from the open door of their whelping box and so we've turned the box around so they have a playing area, and have put some fencing up in front of one of the 'french doors' so there is a cool breeze blowing into the room.

Feeding Puppies

At just over 3 weeks, I started to wean our gorgeous puppies (named for now, Sky (no e), Claude, Ryan and Sable). We had managed to nearly get through 12kg of Royal Canin Starter Mother and Babydogs for Medium Dogs, and then couldn't buy any in the shops. The puppies had about four days on this, and really loved it, but then we had to find an alternative and decided on Arden Grange Weaning/Puppy.

The Arden Grange didn't go down quite as well, so I started making up a mixture of very diluted puppy milk - and now they all love it!  I also went for an Arden Grange Adult food, so that I have now started weaning Summer, their mum, off the puppy food.

But Summer is still feeding them, and cleaning up their poop!

I have to say though, that for all of them, they have scrambled egg for breakfast. Summer has an egg mixed in with her biscuit, and the TT pups have it on it's own.

The puppies can now stand up in front of a bowl, but they get distracted, so I sit with one at a time, making sure they eat properly, and enticing them if they try to disappear to play!!


Kennel Club Registration

We have finally decided on the Kennel Club names for all the pups. I'll tell you when they've been confirmed, but the paperwork has been sent off, and it's all in the hands of The KC now.

Tibetan Terrier Puppies - Third Week

Weeing and pooping! Food...but not much. Barking. Playing. Getting stronger as they walk. Inquisitive. Funny. Falling over. They've all been wormed (12,13 & 14 July).  Typical TTs, they don't like having a dirty bottom so let us all know when they've pooped! Have started being brushed (puppy brush). Have started to be weened.  

Tibetan Terrier Puppy Photoshoot by Nicole Loucaides

The following pictures were taken by my photographer daughter, Nicole Loucaides, on 11 July 2013.

The Puppy's 19th Day since birth day.

We were loosing light to get a great selection of images, but I think you'll agree, these aren't half bad!!

 

Our girl, SKYE

 

Fourth born, our lovely Sable/black/white boy

 

Having a cuddle, eyes open

 

"I do love a cutch!"

 

With Mummy Summer

 

 

Third born, 'Claude'

 

 

And first born, Sable (who is sable)

 

As soon as the sun is out, we'll do another photo shoot with our gorgeous pups!

7th & 8th July 2013 - Pee Pee Puppies

I've had quite fun with the puppies today!

The Sable and White TT can definately move quicker and with greater ease than the others! These little faces appeared over the whelping box door opening- 3 of the 4 - trying to escape?! Whilst Skye slept, I bought out the 3 boys and put them on the carpet.  Summer quickly appeared (we call her the vampire because she 'just appears' when you're trying to steal a puppy!!), and the 'feeding frenzy' race began. Summer turned a few circles deciding that clean puppy bottems was preferable to having to lie still and feed. As she turned, Sable & White got on his four feet and it looked like he was chasing her, although he could really only manage four or so steps!  It was the first time, I'd seen more than 2 steps. Such fun!!

I can't work out why this picture is portrait when I cropped it to landscape, but here is a cheeky little face, looking for fun!!

Our Tibetan Terrier team are now looking less like guinea pigs and a little more like REAL puppies.  Their eyes are more open, although you can tell they can't see as clearly as they will be able to, yet. Their ears are more than little flaps and more like the start of TT ears which are opening and not just little buds.

Their nails are growing sooo fast - and I think I'll have to give them their 3rd nail cut in 2 1/2 weeks! Poor Summer, when they pad at her teats!

Their hair is starting to get a little thicker too.

But their tails are still little sausages! I can't believe that they'll have the lovely TT curl up tail!

Four little puppies...all in  row...

And why pee pee puppies???

Now the puppies are larger, there is more wee...  Twice today, I've been holding a puppy (different one each time), and I let Summer lick their tummies and make them wee.  Then she turns her head to look at something else.....and I have a puppy sprinkling wee everywhere!

4th & 5th July - Eyes Opening

Our guinea pigs...sorry, Pedigree Tibetan Terrier puppies, are getting bigger and bigger. They are getting a touch more control of their heads but do look a bit like those nodding dogs you sometimes see in the back of cars!

The pups aren't doing too much except sleeping and feeding, so sorry that the pictures aren't too different to previous days.

I've seen the sable/white and 'Claude' almost standing on all fours! But as quickly as they stand, they fall!  Won't be long!

And the feeding frenzy! It is sooo funny.  Mummy TT Summer, walks into the whelping box, and from the four courners of the box, these little bodies whiggle at 'top speed' towards mummy's tetes! Zoooommmmm...

Sleepy Sable

Sleeping in pairs

Cute

Big boy, Claude

And here is Sable/white. He is a real whiggler! But today, we could see that his eyes are JUST starting to open. 'Claudes' seem to, too!

But Claude is very cheeky... We found him trying to climb out of the whelping box! We ARE going to have fun with him, when he can walk!!  He he...

2nd & 3rd July 2013 - Puppies

This seems to be Our Girl's favourite sleeping position. Some of the boys do it too, but then they can't always roll over again and start squeaking!

Our Girl - We're playing with the name SKYE for her

I regularly clean out their big whelping box. On most occasions Mummy Tibetan Terrier, Summer, has climbed in with her pups - there's now, not much space for her too!!

A moment of contemplation for Summer, looking out of our front window.
She's not so interested in her bones at the moment...

This is 'Claude' - he may be a little bit more independant than the others
but he loves cuddles and being carried around, and doesn't wriggle too much when I cut his nails!

The puppies all having a nap. At the moment all they really do is sleep and eat.
The lull before the storm, I'm told!!

Day 8 & 9 - Puppies after One Week

All is still going really well!

It's funny watching Summer's (Mummy Tibetan Terrier) reaction to her puppies. She likes to feed them, then go for a walk...but a single tiny squeak...and she's back! 

I was quite concerned about her last week, as she was panting and digging so much. I did a fair bit of research online, and it sounded like there were a lot of people like me, worrying about continual panting. But a few of the articles and forum entries explained that as long as the bitch had been checked out (which she was), then it would be quite common and some dogs even panted for about 10-12 days.

Luckily and with great relief, Summer started to recover and gradually stopped panting on day 7/8, so by day 8/9, she was more relaxed.

Summer can be a fussy eater but she has been loving the puppy food. Now, however, I have to add 'liver cake' sprinkled in, with a little hot water. For breakfast she has scrambled egg with her puppy food. Once we start to ween the puppies next week sometime, we will start reducing puppy food and adding her adult food, so that by the time the puppies are fully weened (about 6-8 weeks), she'll be just on adult food (Wainwright's Light Adult Complete Dog Food).

A mass of hair, or a bundle of pups?!

The pups are looking a bit like guinea pigs right now - but Our Girl (black) has a cuddle with Sable

We don't often see them sleeping together, but with the warm weather, we opened a back door (2 rooms away). It was shut again, quite quickly...

Sable loves to cutch up to Mummy Summer

You can just about make out the four pups!

The puppies are changing too. They're starting to get a little control of their heads, only to lift them for a few seconds, but are turning them!  Their whiskers above their mouths, have also started to grow a little. Rather than tight closed eyes, you can see that their eyelids are developed over their eyes and you can now imagine them looking around.

Weight wise, 'Claude' and Our Girl, remain the heaviest, but Sable and white/sable are getting heavier in great leaps. We think the puppies have just taken on different genes!

The puppies can roll over, and they can travel at quite some speed across the whelping box shuffling on their tummies.

They do look like guinea pigs...really! But I know they'll start to look more dog like in the next few weeks...he he

This week we hope that the puppies will open their eyes and at the beginning of next week, their ears too, which are just tight little buds right now.

Oh, and there is movement in their tails! Only a little but we've all noticed it at different times...

We are trying to come up with a name for Our Girl. We (the family) were so sure on Summer as a name, that we're sure we'll come across another that we all agree on too...  But it's taking a long time.

Day 7 - Puppies

Just to let you know that all is well! 

 

Our girl enjoying the warmth! We have a beach umbrella outside the window to stop the sun pouring in, but Our Girl
seems to like it!

Puppies - Day 6

Our adorable Tibetan Terrier puppies continue to grow at a rate of knots and their little personalities continue to develop too!

Two of the puppies have almost doubled their birth weight - the other two are not far behind.

Two of the boys have learnt to make a noise when they want something, and with 'Claude', it is usually more food or a bottom clean from his mum.

Judy and I went through the pups exercises today, and I trimmed all the puppies nails which were starting to catch on some materials.

Just a little update for now! I'll add some pictures shortly (there's always pictures!!)..

What fun!

Puppies - Day 5

Mummy Summer and little 'Claude'

'I love to cuddle up to mum' says Black Girl

It's nice and warm around Mummy's tummy...

With a full tummy and a little 'drunk', 'Claude' likes to escape the heat!

And here he is hiding under the pig rail of the whelping box...

Puppies - Day 4

Every morning about 11am, Nicole or I weigh our Tibetan Terrier puppies. We'll keep doing this every day for two weeks, then most likely once a week if they've all gained well.

The girl (black with white front paws and tiny tip of her tail - born second), was born the heaviest, and remains so, but the boy we call "Claude" (white and black, born 3rd) is only 9 grams behind her.

The other two boys born 1st and 4th are similar in weight but a little lighter, so if we see they're starting to get hungry, we give them first choice of the teats nearest to Summer's tail, as the milk is richest there.

Today we started "The Puppy Plan", which was put together by The Kennel Club and DogsTrust. who set up a new initiative (I think last year), to give every puppy the very best start in life. It is a socialisation plan for the first eight weeks of their life, and can then be passed onto the new owner to continue.

TASKS (do for no longer than 5 seconds per puppy)

1.  Hold the puppy on its back in the palm of your hand
2.  Hold puppy upright
3.  Hold puppy upside down (Nicole didn't like doing this)
4.  Tickle him lightly between the toes with a cotton bud (cotton buds are too big at this stage)
5.  Lightly rub his ears in small circles (I enjoyed this)
6.  Place puppy on a cold, damp town (they all wriggled off very quickly!)

We do this everyday until our Tibetan Terrier pups are two weeks old, before moving onto the next stage. Oh, and we do, do it right in front of Summer. She helps when we do number 1. She licks their bottoms before we continue... aaahhh...

And here are some pictures from Day 4.

 

(above)  Mum, Summer, with her pups on Day 4

 

Left to Right - Sable/white, 'Claude', Sable, Black girl

 

Yes, there are four there, all drunk with milk!

 

It's not unusual for the girl (black) to just sleep on top of the boys who are feeding...

 

We like to see the sable TTs feeding, and girly loves to snuggle

 

This is the white/sable boy. He is curled up around Summers bottom,
and is under her tail like a duvet

 

Oh year baby! This is the life!!