I'll try and find that article.

I know it's in one of my three volume set of

APPLIED DOG BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING by Steven R Lindsay

Great updates! I enjoyed the pictures, Niomi. Thank you so much for sharing.

Yes they're awesome. I enjoyed them also a lot!

The last two weeks have absolutely flown by - so sorry there were no updates, I am not even sure what day of the week it is anymore. I just looked at the calendar and realized that everyone goes home in 2 days!

We did everything from Obedience (sit, down, stand, spin, target, focus), to grooming (Nails every week, bath day is tomorrow) and even some great agility imprinting with the tunnel, a frame and weave poles.

There are 9 VERY strong temperaments in this litter - each puppy has some amazing strengths and something that makes each unique. The hardest part, for me, about placing them, is hoping I have chosen right. I am always worried about that part the most - what would I do if someone did not like their puppy!?? I know it seems ridiculous, but I'm sure it can and has happened to other breeders lol.

I am so thankful to my friend and mentor for helping me go over the results of the temperament testing, and also for taking one of the puppies. Amp'd up is A LOT of girl dog - wholy smokes - so she will need a very special home to keep up with her. I would have LOVED to keep her, but without regular access to a club, or "real" work, I would be doing her a disservice.

I will reveal my "pick" next week - once everyone has gone home And when I say "pick" - I mean the puppy that didn't fit into anyone else's home LOL! Hellboy was kept back for the same reason and I don't regret it, not even for a day. So I'm hoping my "system" comes through for me again

I switch the puppies from raw to kibble 5 days before going home - they are NOT impressed. They eat because they are hungry, but they make it known that it is against their will. Thankfully all of the homes have plans to incorporate raw into their diets, so I'm sure they will find a happy medium. I caved last night and gave them lamb shanks for dinner. They picked the bones absolutely clean!

Ironhide was also separated from the litter about 3 days ago. She is also not impressed. She is such a great mom, but her fault is she can be a bit too much of a "helicopter" mom. She has not been having a very easy time with the separation, but in the past has gotten over it really quick once the puppies were no longer in the home. Fingers crossed she is the same this time

Sunday morning I will have to load up 3 adult Shepherds and 9 puppies for their drive to Alaska - I am only bringing the litter as far as Beaver Creek, where one of the new puppy owners is meeting me to bring these guys the rest of the way to their new families. I have to meet him there for 8am, which means leaving my house by 1am - I need to make sure I have time for potty breaks and leg stretches. Our crate training has been challenging, so I am hoping this "crash course" will drive home the concept of "the crate is for quiet" lol!

I have added some pictures from the last couple of weeks to our album:
http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/Ironhidekennels/library/Ironhide%20x%20Obelix%20Puppies%20-%203%20Weeks%20on

Wow, Niomi, time for the pups to go to their new homes already. What a great-looking group of pups they are! I can only imagine the hard work and sleepless nights that go into raising a litter -- and my imagination tells me it's enormously exhausting and challenging.

You have put an amazing amount of work and care into making sure the pups are prepared for their new homes. I can only hope to find a breeder somewhere close to as conscientious as you when the time comes that I may have a new pup.

I guess those of us in the continental US don't give a lot of thought to the logistics of raising a litter of pups in someplace like Whitehorse, Yukon, and then getting them to their new homes. So are all of them being placed in Alaska?

Agree fully with Cheri!

So cute and mischievous looking your pups and what an incredible i work from you. I watched the pictures yesterday for at least an hour and right now I'll go on watching. Does it not hurt awfully to give them away? I'd cry and sob for days and days for each one, I'd have difficulties to recover from this. I do hope Ironhide will recover soon from her loss, must be painful for her.

It seems you've found good homes. Will you stay in some contact with them? It must be great for the owners to have a puppy wich already knows all those basics.
Have you already found a new home for my favorite Zombie Slayer? Is he an active and funny little guy?

 Quote: Cheri Grissom

Wow, Niomi, time for the pups to go to their new homes already. What a great-looking group of pups they are! I can only imagine the hard work and sleepless nights that go into raising a litter -- and my imagination tells me it's enormously exhausting and challenging.

You have put an amazing amount of work and care into making sure the pups are prepared for their new homes. I can only hope to find a breeder somewhere close to as conscientious as you when the time comes that I may have a new pup.

I guess those of us in the continental US don't give a lot of thought to the logistics of raising a litter of pups in someplace like Whitehorse, Yukon, and then getting them to their new homes. So are all of them being placed in Alaska?

Thank you for your kind words I've never been so exhausted as that last week they were with me lol! My dinners became very convenient and "interesting" lol... One night dinner was watermelon and red wine. It was 9pm, I'd been awake and moving since 5am and I was DONE. LOL maybe not nutritious, but it did the trick!

It is incredibly hard being so isolated and breeding these dogs! 7 of the 9 are in Alaska - my keeper girl and a male who went to my vet and her family will stay in Whitehorse.

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

Agree fully with Cheri!

So cute and mischievous looking your pups and what an incredible i work from you. I watched the pictures yesterday for at least an hour and right now I'll go on watching. Does it not hurt awfully to give them away? I'd cry and sob for days and days for each one, I'd have difficulties to recover from this. I do hope Ironhide will recover soon from her loss, must be painful for her.

It seems you've found good homes. Will you stay in some contact with them? It must be great for the owners to have a puppy wich already knows all those basics.
Have you already found a new home for my favorite Zombie Slayer? Is he an active and funny little guy?

I am always so "in the zone" when getting puppies into their new homes, I usually don't get to experience the loss until they are already gone. I definitely teared up a bit seeing them doing so well in their new homes. There were a few that I would have easily kept had I the time and space for more than 1 lol

I stay in contact with all of my puppy homes. We are all friends on Facebook, so I see several updates each week.

Ironhide is doing great since the puppies have gone home Thanks for asking!

Zombie Slayer has gone to a very good home. He will bring much joy and comfort to a 7 year old boy and his father, who recently lost their wife and mother very suddenly. Zombie Slayer is a very special dog and the best of both worlds when it comes to a working dog. Great drive, very stable temperament, very gentle and respectful with kids and a wonderful off switch. They were excited to have this boy join their home and I look forward to watching them grow together <3

 Quote: Niomi Smith

One night dinner was watermelon and red wine.

Hey, whatever works!

So very cool that you can keep up with the pus in their new families!