Best laid plans....

John, breeder of my Gladystar poodle puppy, scheduled the puppy testing for 10:30 in morning.  A time when the puppies were typically active and energetic.  Unfortunately, he forgot to schedule it with the puppies.  On the day of the test they decided 10:30 a.m. was a good time for a coma-like nap.  Even when roused from sleep, the puppies were groggy and reluctant to move.  (I know how they feel!)  Although they proceeded with the test, as best they could, the puppies behavior during the test was so unlike their usual behavior it leaves large doubts whether the results can be trusted.  Hmmm, back to the drawing board?  Well, sort of.  Some parts of the test can still be used to analyze a puppy's personality, even when done beyond the perfect timing of 49 days old.
This is a perfect example of why, when raising dogs or children, one must be patient, maintain a healthy sense of humor, and always have a "Plan B".  

Poodle Puppy Testing

People adopt dogs for many reasons.  It's always a good idea to fit the temperament, size and inbred purpose of the dog to your lifestyle and plans.  It wouldn't be wise to get a Yorkshire Terrier to herd sheep or keep a Border Collie in a small apartment for 10 hours each day.  Neither is suited to those lifestyles.  Most people adopt dogs, either mixed or pure bred, by choosing a breed or a size or an activity level.  Some people adopt dogs with no real consideration to anything other than an undefinable attraction.  As I get ready to choose my new puppy from a litter of 11, I have very specific plans for that dog.  I want a lovable, well-behaved pet, of course.  But I also want a partner in performance dog sports.  I intend to train this dog to do agility, and possibly obedience and rally obedience.  It's important to have a dog that will completely enjoy those activities, but also be physically sound so as not to be injured while running, jumping and climbing.  There are several tools I'll use when making that decision.  One tool is the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test, which can give some indication of the adult temperament and personality of a dog.  This test is typically done at 49 days of age when the puppy is neurologically complete and has the brain of an adult dog. With each passing day after the 49th day the responses will be tainted by the puppies daily experiences.  This test was done on all 11 Gladystar puppies on Wednesday, January 25, at exactly 49 days old.  There are 10 parts to the test, each testing for a particular attribute, and each part is given a score between 1 and 6.  The scores aren't averaged, but each is considered individually, with the overall results giving some indication of dominance or submission, dependence or independence, aggression or friendliness, fear or confidence.  The results can give a responsible dog breeder an indication of what type of home each puppy might be best suited for.  Another important test is a physical evaluation to determine the soundness of structure.  Some types of bone and muscle structure might predispose a dog to injury when doing agility, which is physically demanding (for both dogs and people).  The last part of the process of choosing my puppy will be that mysterious quality of attraction.  I fully expect there will be at least one puppy that will climb into my lap and ask to be mine!     

Puppy pictures

Peeking out of the whelping box

First (sort of) solid food

Puppy playtime

More puppy playtime

This one actually held still long enough for a close-up!

Love that tunnel!

PUPPIES!!!

Orchid gave birth to 10 healthy, black standard poodle puppies.  No wait!  One more, born a couple hours after the 10th pup, made for a total of 11.  Good girl, Orchid!  The final count was 7 girls and 4 boys.  

Orchid-proud mama of 11 beautiful puppies

The beginning.....

Orchid

Elliot

I started my search with the Greater Milwaukee Poodle Club in Wisconsin.  There I found John Pittman of Gladystar Poodles in Saukville, WI.  Although I researched other breeders, I liked John from the start.  John's breeding and training practices are sound, but I think the biggest compliment I can give John is that he truly and wholeheartedly enjoys his dogs.  He and his wife, Patty, take seriously their job of raising healthy, confident, well-adjusted puppies.  Emails and a personal visit convinced me that I wanted my next dog to come from John's young home-bred female, Orchid "Ch. Gladystar Obsidian Flower".  John chose Elliot "Ch. Degana Law and Order" as stud and the dogs were bred in early October, 2011.  That breeding produced 11 healthy standard poodle puppies, born on December 7, 2011.

Anticipation, anxiety and dreams...

As I anticipate bringing home my puppy, I'm talking to friends, reading books, searching websites...all with the determination to be the best puppy owner I can be.  Anything worth doing well is worth making yourself crazy with excitement, impatience and worry, right?  The more I learn about how to raise a well-adjusted, confident dog, the more (secret) anxiety I feel over all the things I could possibly do wrong.  About a week ago I had a dream that the breeder let John and I bring all 11 puppies home so we could decide which one we wanted.  The scenes in this dream were worthy of the wackiest sit-com you can imagine!  John and I raced wildly around the backyard, trying to keep 11 energetic puppies corralled.  When it was time to take them back home, we scooped up armfuls of puppies and deposited them in the back seat of the car.  Halfway back to Wisconsin we discovered that, along with the puppies, we'd accidently scooped up a dog we didn't recognize and a toddler.  Fortunately the dream ended before we were arrested for kidnapping and crossing state lines!