1st Vaccinations & videos

The puppies are a hoot!  Getting stronger by the day.  We are giving them several periods a day where we take them out of the playpen and turn them loose to run around the house.  It is so hysterical to see them running top speed, sliding across the tile, playing tag around the chairs and table, and playing with the big dogs.

They also got their first puppy shots on Monday, which all of them took in stride.  (Actually, they didn't even really realize they got a shot!). Easiest vaccinations ever. 

When you take your puppy home, please remember that they have only had ONE puppy vaccination -- Parvo & Distemper.  They will need a series of 3 shots, and the next two shots should be "5-way" shots.  Each shot should be given about a month apart.  At a very minimum, please do not take your puppy to a dog park or other place where many dogs have been, until they have all their puppy shots.  Everybody loves to show the world their new puppy, but its just not worth the risk.

Here is a couple of videos.  They are getting really hard to photograph/video -- as soon as I get the camera focused, they are out of the picture!

These were taken 7/11/14, so they are about a week and a half old:

Clicker Training in Action!

Since I just published a post on clicker training, I wanted to show you it in action.  This is a puppy from my last litter with her new owner.  How cute is this? Bet you'll watch it several times.  Great job, Elle!  Shows how easy and effective clicker training can be!

Two Great Books

There are two books that I usually recommend to my puppy buyers. They both use the positive-reinforcement technique of clicker-training.  For those unfamiliar with clicker training, a clicker is used because it creates a distinct, "sharp" sound that acts as a marker.  This helps the puppy to understand more clearly what behavior is wanted. Often by the time we say the words "good boy," the action is passed and the puppy is unsure what elicited the praise.

51 Puppy Tricks - by Kyra Sundance- This book is great because it has step-by-step photos on each page of what to do, as well as "troubleshooting."  This is a great book also for children because of the way its laid out.

Clicker Training for Dogs, by Karen Pryor.-- Karen Pryor is the "grand dame" of clicker training and gives a clear, easily understood explanation of the process.

And of course, I have to show you my absolute FAVORITE clicker - the Spotty Training Clicker:



Why? It doesn't pinch your fingers, has a wrist band to keep it handy, and I like the nice sharp "click."

Playful puppies

Hi Everyone --

The puppies are doing great and getting bigger by the day.  Can't believe they are already a month old!
If you have a deposit down on this litter,  you are welcome to schedule a visit to play with the puppies.  Mondays and Thursdays are best due to my somewhat crazy schedule right now.  I could also probably schedule a short visit on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.  Unfortunately, Fridays-Sundays are very difficult for me at present.  Enjoy the videos!

A Short Video

Eyes Open!

Happy Friday!  The puppies eyes have opened this week.  They have beautiful eyes!  Large and dark and gorgeous.  They are chubby, happy, contented puppies.  Starting to move around just a bit more - I expect them to start exploring and crawling out of the box this week, at which point we take the box away inside the pen.  They really become active then.  We also did our first nail-trimming this week.  Here are some photos for you to enjoy.  Unfortunately, they always seem to be asleep when I have my camera ready, but that will change soon. 

A Word to Those Who Wait

I know there are some people subscribed to this blog who were in the "watching and waiting" phase, along with those who have been promised a puppy and those who already have their puppy but just enjoy seeing the updates on litters.  This post is for those who are in the "watching and waiting phase." 

First, I want to let you all know that the puppies in the current litter have all been promised.  If you are not one of the three families who will be taking home a puppy from this litter, I will be doing another tricolor-to-blenheim breeding later this summer, but have already made a couple of tentative commitments on that litter.  I will probably take one more deposit on that litter, possibly two.

If you are "puppy shopping," please be aware that while I sometimes do have puppies still available once they hit the playful puppy, almost-ready-to-go-home stage, that is not always the case.  This is true of other reputable breeders as well. It is always best to choose a breeder you feel comfortable with first, and then wait for a puppy.  That way the breeder knows  you are serious about getting a puppy as well. It is no fun to have to disappoint people whom I have already approved and who want a puppy but haven't yet placed a deposit. I do not require a deposit to wait for an available puppy, but if a deposit is not given, the wait may be longer because those who have paid a deposit will be placed ahead of those who haven't.

Off my soapbox now, and hope you all enjoy the photos and videos of the puppies.  :)

Sweet Pups

The puppies are doing great - fat and happy (look at the round bellies on these babies!).  Couldn't resist sharing this sweet picture with you, snapped this morning.

Dewclaws

These puppies are such darling, healthy puppies and are getting chubbier by the day!

Yesterday morning the puppies had their dewclaws removed. I know that several breeders no longer remove dewclaws, but I agree with my vet that it is much better to have them removed. 

Dewclaws are like a tiny non-useable thumb remnant that sits up high on the "wrist" of the foot, complete with toenail. They are removed between 2-5 days after birth to prevent later painful injury that can sometimes happen when a dog "catches" the claw on an object and actually can tear it. Also, if left on, many owners don't notice it when they are trimming nails (especially with the Cavalier's furry feet) and if ignored, they will grow around in a circle and pierce back into the skin. You can imagine how painful this would be and by removing the dewclaw at a point when they are so tiny and little nerves are not so developed, we take these dangers away and protect the pups. The pups came through this procedure quite well and within minutes were happily back with mom and nursing away.  Photos can be deceiving - the puppies are close to the same size.

A couple of quick photos

Was able to snap a couple of quick photos last night.  Again, apologize for the quality - will try to get some nicer ones soon. 

The Puppies Have Arrived!

The puppies arrived yesterday.  Piper had a fairly easy delivery of three puppies.  I will try to post photos very soon.  One blenheim female and two tricolor males.  All with a very nice birthweight of approx. 7-3/4 ounces.  All puppies are nursing nicely and doing great.  Here's a slightly out-of-focus snapshot to enjoy of mom with the first puppy.

Eileen - trustarcavaliers@yahoo.com
Best times to call are weekday evenings after 4:30pm

Welcome!

Welcome to our TruStar Puppy Blog.  We are expecting a litter of puppies the middle of May, 2014 at TruStar Cavaliers! 

This puppy blog has been created so that you and others interested in this litter can watch and enjoy the progress of the pregnancy and puppies. This is a private blog, and although you may share it with your friends and family, it is not publicized or advertised (please don't post a link to it on Facebook, for example). Simply put, it was created for you and others who have a specific interest in this litter. To continue to receive updates, please visit the blog and click on the "subscribe via email" link at the top right of this blog. Don't forget to contact me directly at trustarcavaliers@yahoo.com if you are interested in placing a deposit to hold a puppy.  By the time the puppies are ready to go to their new homes, they are generally spoken for.  Sorry, we do not ship our puppies, and we do require a face-to-face meeting with you before you take your puppy home.

Our sweet and funny Piper (Rhapsody Split Decision) has been bred with the very lovely stud dog, Ch. Sheeba Flying High ("Sorin").  Both dogs have beautiful pedigrees and nice, solid structure. Both dogs have lovely coat and fringing. Sorin won the tricolor class at the 2014 National Specialty, and is a lovely little dog. There are many, many beautiful dogs behind this breeding.

Here are some photos of Sorin from the National Specialty:

And here are some photos of Piper: