Charting Canine Temperatures for Whelping

Thursday Night at 10 am:
Today I called my veterinary to discuss Dixie's whelping date, as it seemed she was a bit late.  The vet  said that Dixie is not late if we calculate the due date from the date of the last breeding.   So using the date of  March 27, 2013 (date of last breeding) Then we get a due date of  Friday, June 29, 2013.   And that date actually puts Dixie back on schedule.

The Difficulty of Whelping Predictions

Hi all!   Are you getting as impatient as I am waiting for puppies?  Remember the saying, ' a watched pot never boils'....Consequently, I am trying to go about my life and not hover over Dixie too much:)

So obviously the due date calculations are quite different from last year.  Last year Dixie whelped on Day 59 (a week before the due date)....this year Dixie is still waiting to whelp on Day 66.  

Still waiting! Dixie is getting nice and round!

Hi everybody!   Sorry to say...no puppies yet!   But no worries!  Dixie's pregnancy is still looking healthy and normal.   She does look to be waiting herself!  She doesn't walk very far out the door.  She seems to be pretty tired.   She just looks so very large and full right now.

Just a few moments ago, I went out on the deck and Dixie came along and plopped down near the top step.  It was if she was thinking...'There is no way I am going down those stairs!

Coco decided to give it a try without her!  This was actually an exciting event for me, because Coco has been very timid of stairs ever since we got her.  Today is the first day that she has gone up and down the stairs on her own.!

6 month puppy update ...Coco's training

Coco is fast approaching her half year mark!   How  I love a 6 mth old puppy!  They are still young and adorable....but by 6 mths a well trained dog has learned so much!

Coco...nearly 6 mths old

During Coco's first several months in our home, she was super bouncy  adorable, but naughty little puppy that required a lot of training and patience.   She was constantly biting hold of everything in her path.  She was always jumping on us and biting our pant legs.  And of course....there were some potty training accidents.   Not that any of these things made her a 'bad puppy'.   It is just the natural stage that puppies go through.  And knowing that we would get through these habits in a few months made it much easier to deal with.  But it also impressed on us, the importance of good training..

Ruby's 1 Year Update

1 year old Ruby

I am so excited!  I have another letter from one of our puppy families...and lots of photos!  We are so thrilled to see that you and Ruby are doing so  well!  Thank you, Rachel and Laura!

Hi Mary,

We have been wanting to get in touch with for some time now and send you pictures of Ruby and to update you on how she is doing.









Our little 'Rubster' is now 13 lbs. and full of energy!  She is a very smart, loving and obedient dog.  She knows her toys by name (monkey, lion, rabbit, bone, ball) and will fetch and bring them back to us.  For instance, if we say, "Ruby, go get monkey", within a few seconds she will have her monkey in her mouth
ready to give to us.

Some of her favorite treats are bully sticks, her Kong toy filled with peanut butter, and natural sweet potato chips for dogs.

Countdown to Whelping

Dixie prefers the coolness of the kitchen floor these last few weeks.

This is the last week before Dixie's due date!  It is a vigilant and exciting time.  We are keeping an eye on Dixie for signs that whelping is near.

June 25 is the expected date of whelping based on averages.   Whelping may take place from the 59th (June 20) to the 65th day (June 26).  If Dixie is late for whelping, then the latest date is day 70 (July1)  If we were to start approaching that day, I would  make a veterinary appointment to see what should be done.

Shih Tzu puppies for sale in Virginia

My friend Cherie breeds Shih Tzu puppies.  She has a beautiful litter of puppies that she is offering for sale.  Cherie is a small home breeder, like myself, and has put a lot of love and care into her litter.  If you are looking to own a Shih Tzu puppy, I highly recommend one of these precious babies.  There are 3 girls and 1 boy.  Check out Cherie's website for more information,  http://lakeacresshihtzu.weebly.com/

Preggy Mama....Dixie update!

I wanted to give a Dixie Pregnancy update for all those waiting for a puppy this summer.   Dixie is doing well.  She is starting to get a roundish tummy. Now is the time when the puppies will start growing very quickly inside of her.  Dixie's shape will change rapidly in the next few weeks.

I got Dixie a new bed, so she could be extra comfy during her pregnancy.

Dixie had more morning sickness this time around than last time.    One morning several weeks ago, I fed Dixie her morning breakfast and after she ate she went right back to bed and didn't get up most of the day.  At that time I knew for sure that Dixie's pregnancy had taken.   Usually morning is the most energetic time of the day for a dog.  Dixie especially is anxious to run out in the yard and sniff around.  It was like that a lot of days.  Dixie was just very sleepy.  Her demeanour was less cheerful.  And she didn't feel like eating much.

Happy Birthday! Puppies turn 1 years old!

Our Litter from last year all turned 1 years old May 13 Monday!   Happy Birthday to all our dear doggies!    I welcome any and all photos that anyone can share with updates on your Schnoodle dog.   

Oscar and Maya had a first Birthday Party together!  It looks like everyone had a wonderful time!  Thank you for sharing your note and your pictures!

Happy Birthday Oscar & Maya

Hi Mary! 
 How are you?  I've been following along on the blog still and very excited for Dixie's upcoming litter as well as your newest addition to the family, Coco!  Glad to know you will still be breeding for a few more years to come as I'm sure Oscar (and I) will be ready for a little brother or sister in a few more years :) 
 Well I just wanted to give you an update on our little babies who are not so little anymore.  Of course as you know Oscar and Maya turned 1 last Monday and how could we not throw them a joint first birthday party!  
 

They literally have everything you could possibly need for a dog themed birthday party so we had a BBQ at Eric and Deb's house with our families and close friends.  I actually found dog cake mix too at the grocery store and of course we had to sing happy birthday and blow out candles so I made them birthday cupcakes...they put the whole things in their mouths and were gone in about less than 30 seconds  :) Attached are some photos to share with you from the big celebration that we thought you would get a kick out of (and I also snuck in a picture of Oscar from last month, just because it may be the cutest picture I have of him :). 

Oscar full grown is just about 22 pounds now and Maya is 16 pounds.  I actually had to get Oscar the next crate size up a couple of months ago as he outgrew the original size you had recommended and didn''t have enough room to lie down, he loves the new one!  Eric and Deb have been using the litter box for Maya through this first year and are going to start to take it away from her as well as taking her crate away and see how she does.  I on the other hand have a little boy who likes to get into trouble when he's left alone and can't be trusted :)  Oscar developed some separation anxiety from me and would cry/bark really really loud when I would leave him (I could hear him in the parking garage of my building or down on the street it was that bad).  

Oscar and Maya play Tug-of-War

I got him the citronella bark collar and that actually worked really well.  Within the first few days of using it, he definitely understood its purpose and I would just put it on him without actually having to turn it on and am happy to report he does not need to wear it regularly anymore.  He also however started chewing through every blanket, towel, sheet and dog bed I tried leaving in his crate with him and that never stopped unfortunately so for now he just has his toys in his crate with him during the day when i'm not working from home which he certainly seems fine with.  I wanted to get him a new dog bed though now that he is 1 but I just dont want to spend more money on something that will last him 1 day with him chewing through it so if you have any advice for me on how to break him of this habit I would welcome it!  My dog walker suggested I try to go crate free and gate him in my kitchen area, which sounded perfect except when I came home one day I learned just how super high of a jumper he is in that he was able to jump up to the top of my kitchen counter (which is ridiculously high) and help himself to some of his treats.  This dog can jump, let me tell you, especially when he is determined :)

Oscar at 1 year old

My next door neighbor just got a red Cavapoo puppy (she is about 13 weeks now) who looks just like Oscar as a baby and they became instant buddies.  Its almost like they think they are siblings they love playing with each other that much it is too cute.  Whenever we go for a walk and come back inside he sits right in front of her door and cries and according to my neighbor she does the same thing to our door.  I wish I had a picture of the two of them for you, the resemblance is uncanny I will have to send one soon.  Now that the weather is finally nice again Oscar is loving the outdoors going on long runs and looking forward to our upcoming trip back to the beach (Maya will be coming with us this time too).  I actually took him rock climbing/hiking with me at Carderock a couple of weeks ago which turned out to be the perfect activity for his jumping skills!  I was definitely more afraid than my fearless little guy who jumped up and down the rocks with the greatest of ease.

Oscar at 1 year old

He couldn't be a more loving, affectionate and just absolutely wonderful dog!  I feel like everytime I email you I tell you how grateful I am for you giving me the best dog I could have ever hoped for, but each and every day with him it is just that much truer!  Thanks again Mary and good luck with the new litter of babies!!  Can't wait to see their pictures!

Jen & Oscar

Deposits for 2013 Schnoodle Litter

I am now collecting $100 deposits for the 2013 Schnoodle litter.  I have contacted the first 7 people on the waiting list.  If anyone has changed their mind and does not wish to purchase a Schnoodle from the 2013 litter, I will remove their name from the list, and allow the next person waiting to send a deposit.

The deposits are refundable until the litter is born.  When the puppies have arrived, we can see how many puppies their are, the genders, the color, etc.  At that time the people who have sent deposits will have the opportunity to purchase a puppy, by putting half down on the purchase of a puppy.  Anyone who does not wish to purchase a puppy will have their deposit returned.

If you are on the 2013 waiting list, now is the time to check your status on that page.   See 2013 Waiting List Page or visit link below...
 http://growingpuppies.blogspot.com/p/2013-wait-list.html
If you are one of the first 7 people on the list, you should contact me now.  If you are not one of the first 7 people please consider that those who have sent deposits may still change their mind.  The puppies from this litter are not sold until they are actually born.

I am writing this note to be sure there are no failures in communication.  My wish is to be as fair to everyone as I am able.  Best wishes to all!