Temperament Testing was today!

I know this is such a stressful day with the anticipation of who is getting which pup. Since I am still waiting for some decisions to be made (hopefully, within the next couple of hours), I wanted to share a bit of what went on today and how helpful this 'window of personality expression' is.

Here are some pics of the pups in action with my trainer. Although I did not see a lot of pups with shyness or caution, a different story is told when you put them in a strange environment. DNA comes through that is not evident when in a familiar place with all your litter mates.

I know many of you have visited, some more than others. What you saw were playful, happy pups that enjoyed your company. All of these pups love cuddling and petting but some of them need an environment that will give them that support in heavier doses than others. Can those pups develop a more confident level? Of course!  With consistent, professional training and socialization all of these pups will be wonderful, confident companions.

Red Boy shown in Holding Segment - relaxed and trusting.

Purple Girl would do best with another dog to hold her paw. She is very respectful, sweet and gentle. In this segment, she is curious about the toys but not confident enough to interact with any of them right away. She did go to a ball but at her pace.

Green Girl in the Greeting Segment - a bit timid, shows a crouching posture - needs confidence building exercises.

Buttercup is in the Recovery Segment. She was rather happy under a chair and required coaxing. Her recovery was good but this shows that more socializing and exposure would be a huge benefit. So a family with time to do this.

Camo boy could not decide on playing with a ball or getting cuddles. Cuddles won. A confident pup who will be added to my breeding program for a possible stud candidate.

Blue Boy in the Restraint Segment. He loved it. The more cuddling, the better.  Needs a family with gentle children and activity. Another dog would be great too as well as retired active adults.

'The World is my Oyster'. Russet Boy owned the room. A very confident, happy go lucky character. Russet is a 'pack and go' kind of pup - one that would do well in almost any type of active environment. He loves to cuddle too.

Here are a few pics outdoors!

Although all of them would not venture outdoors today, there were a few brave souls! I have to say both Russet and Camo enjoy the cold air the most. If I leave the dogie door available, they go out all the time. Every now and again Red Boy will join them. Both Purple and Green Girls are definite princesses and prefer lounging on the big tiger indoors.

Here are a few pics.

Russet is first to 'test' the dogie door.

Off he goes to venture outdoors!

They want to go out soooo bad .... 

Not to be outdone, Camo squeezes through the door to follow Russet.

Then Buttercup and Blue Boy bravely go through.

Green, Purple and Red did not join these brave souls.

Hazel's litter has taken their first whiff of Maine fresh air today!

Late this afternoon, as I was shoveling the alleyway and enjoying some sunshine, I left the outside puppy door open to the ramp. Very quickly, several little faces were watching me and numerous toes began dancing at the edge of the door.  Russet Boy was the brave little man who made the pilgrimage down the ramp first and Camo Boy was quickly second. The rest finally followed.  Buttercup was last as she agonized with her decision to leave the protective doorway.  What happy tails they all had as their noses searched the snowy ground - a couple even pottied outdoors!  I brought them back in rather quickly because they were wet from playing in the snow and the sun was going down.

After their dinner, I decided to see if they would venture out again using the dogie door. I turned on the outside light and watched......Camo Boy was the first to stick his head out the dogie door and skip down the ramp.  So, out they all followed to play in the night for about 10 minutes.

Tomorrow is suppose to be another decent day, so let's hope for more sunshine so I can take some pics of these little 'ewoks' outdoors. :+)

Expect 8 week old pics for Hazel's litter by Friday.

It is a complicated week. I need to schedule several appointments and they are not confirmed as yet so I want to inform you that based on the actual times and days, I may not get the 8 week old pup pics up on Thursday.

Plus, Thursday is when they are being Temperament Tested and assigned! A big day!! Stay tuned - it is always such an exciting time.

By the way, this is when I would like all of you to send me a SEPARATE email to tell me what your three preferences are in no particular order. I like having these ahead of the temperament test day in case there is a tie or gender issue as we make the assignments.  Of course, if another snowstorm hits........ oh, I really don't want to think about that. (groan).

So, I am waiting for those choices!!!  :+)

Hazel's seven week old darlings!

Yesterday, I posted some casual shots of these babies but today is their 'official' weekly pics and I don't think you will be disappointed!

They have a visitor coming today, so are taking a nap right now. Plus, photo sessions are exhausting for them and me!

Next week will be temperament testing and assignments. Once that is done, it is time to get prepared for your new puppy!

Purple Girl - 5 lbs. at 7 weeks.

Camo Boy - 3 1/2 lbs. at 7 weeks.

Buttercup Girl - 4 3/4 lbs. at 7 weeks.

Red Boy - 4 1/2 lbs. at 7 weeks.

Green Girl - 4 lbs. at 7 weeks.

Blue Boy - 5 lbs. at 7 weeks.

Russet Boy - 4 lbs. at 7 weeks.

Just a few fun pics of Hazel's litter to cheer you up from all this snow!

At last, all of Tillie's pups have gone to their homes and are settling in. A bit of a break for me not to be juggling two litters.

This morning dawned bright and cheerful. I finished cleaning their areas and decided to snap some pics of them enjoying free time. Tomorrow, they will be 7 weeks old but I know there are never enough pics of puppies.  Enjoy.

They LOVE this playmat.

Buttercup - they all love to climb on this 'cat' tunnel.

Camo thinks he can climb the pole!

Green Girl sniffing one of the toys.

Purple Girl - a very agile, inquisitive pup.

Now Green Girl is attacking the 'finger' sewed into the playmat.

Camo boy loves this wooden box containing toys. I find him here often.

Blue and Red boys sharing a toy.

Red boy swatting at the rope toy.

Russet Boy insists he can pull out this toy through the small hole.  :+)

Blue Boy gently playing.

Tillie's pups and their new owners.

Here are the 'going home' pics of the Tillie x Emmett litter of three. Wonderful puppies that played so gently with Hazel's little minis - what dears!

Hopefully, all is going well and they are bonding with their new owners and new homes.

Beth with Louie!

Joanne and Bob welcome their second guardian girl, Sweet Georgia Brown.  :+)

Marci of Tango Wool Labradoodles is thrilled to add Harrison to her program.