I hope this Blog proves to be both fun and educational for anyone interested in Showing and/or Breeding Dogs. Spend some time with us and you will really understand the time and effort and emotions that goes into this hobby. Join me here for the good times and bad times, the joys and sorrows, the wins and losses. Welcome to life at Vista Dei!

I am sooo very very very sorry!!  It was hot today, and Miz Crystal thought none of us should be in a crate or a pen, just find cool spots to lay around in the house, well I THOUGHT I was helping, I went into the laundry room where the walls have little bitty holes all over them, and I THOUGHT since Miz Crystal liked little bitty holes in the walls, she MIGHT like a great big hole in the wall even better!  I worked and I worked and I worked, got little bits chewed off and spit out.. blah.. some of them where sticking to my tounge and all.  It was Hard hard work!  Miz Crystal walked by and I was so happy to show her what I had done, but she doesn't seem to be as excited by the new hole as I thought she would be.  Bummer.. she is ungrateful at best, don't you agree?  I guess I better act sorry.. all the big dogs tell me to look sad and say the word SORRY alot and hope Miz Crystal can see it in my eyes.

Dis is a picture of me and the big hole I chewed, see it back by the door behind me?  Don't you think it is nice?  Yeah, so I left little bits of pegboard wall spit all over the floor, but I think I did a pretty good job.. what'z that Darby.. ohh yeah.. say I am SORRY!

Posted by: Vistadei at 14:15 | link | comments

We are Jumping for Joy because we just heard that Regis finished his Agility Excellent Standard title at the Tamarack Agility trials!! wooo hooooo!!!!  He ran a 71 second standard course in only 47.9 seconds for another first place score!  He got a big blue ribbon and a beautiful New Title Ribbon too!  but WAIT.. that's not all... He got another big blue ribbon for a first place score in Excellent Jumpers too!  That gives him 2 legs towards his AXJ title, and even better than a first place score he ran a 41 second standard course in 30.59 seconds and was the FASTEST DOG RUNNING THE EXCELLENT A COURSE.. outta the way you slow poke border collies!!!

Congratulations Regis and Tim!!  Job well done!

 

Posted by: Vistadei at 18:23 | link | comments

Hey there! My name is Kiwi, you might remember me as Puppy #6!  I came over to Miz Crystal's for a play day with brother Devon, HAHAHA .. he is no match for ME.. I have stomped him, chomped him and rolled him well.. hahahahaha  I am having a ball and so is he!  Miz Crystal fixed up my ears today, and trimmed my toenails and feet hairs and then she told me to pose pretty for the camera.. I do not THINK so!!  Catch me if you can.. Miz Crystal took lots of pictures, you know how you can tell the difference between me and Devon?  I am the blur in all the pictures as I zoom zoom zoom around!  Oh I taught Devon how to play in the big water bowls, it was so hot, we splashed and splashed in the laundry room water bowls, till Miz Crystal put up in the outside pen.  I dug a nice deep hole, and Devon helped me, and we got in THAT water bowl too, and got ourselves all wet and muddy!  Miz Crystal kinda shook her head and set up a pen on the porch again to keep us looking a little more like shelties and a little less like piggies. Gosh I am tired, think I will take a nap before my mom comes and gets me, hope Uncle Regis got sum more agility ribbons today..

Posted by: Vistadei at 15:22 | link | comments (3)

I ordered Clean Run's specialty magazines for agility, the Contact Obsticle issue, the Weave Pole Issue, the Puppy Issue (yes Devon, that means YOU!) and the Front/Rear Cross issue.  They were a little pricey, but then everything is with agility I think.  So will add their instruction to the month of Doggie boot camp, along with the book Building Blocks of Perfomance.  I also have a new video on obedience training and 2 on striving for sucess.  I ordered a book on calming ring nerves since Dave said I was running nervous the other night, and that is true, since Darby has occasionally jumped off the dog walk, I get nervous when he gets to it, for fear he will jump off and get hurt.  Also at our last class on Wednesday, well the course was just impossibly hard, 21 obsticles put in a configuration like would be an excellent level TIMES TWO course.. ugghhh.. I have to hurry right from work, let the dogs out, nab Darby, put the dogs back in the house, drive an hour to class and it was sooooo hot and I was sooooo tired and then the course from hell was set up, so I didn't have a positive attitude.  Have to work on that some..

Posted by: Vistadei at 14:24 | link | comments

August is coming and with only one day of shows scheduled, I have decided to start "Doggie Boot Camp"!  All the dogs will be put on a schedule of training, 15 mins a day AM and PM (that comes out to oooohhh 4 hours a day training total, so I hope I can hold up!!)  I am making up goal sheets for each of them, working through some training books and videos leading up to August.  Some will be going to conformation classes at the club on Tuesdays, some to agility classes on Wed and Mondays,  we will be looking at who takes to what the best.  I am hoping to get a few more titles finished this year and get a new agility dog started, but I do not know which one. 

So far the goals are as follows:

Darby - consistantly doing 12 weave poles, confidently and consistanly doing the dog walk and teeter

Dusty - polish skill exersizes for entry in shows for his Rally Novice Title

Ricki - Sit-Stay, Down-stay, come front for a recall and finish to heel position left and right, begining heel, continue to ride in the car, and socialize at kennel clubs and agility classes.

Decker - unsure at this time, testing Monday on aglity equipment, then will have a clearer idea of goals.

Daisy - Continued work in conformation, stacking on table with attention, pulling herself up and forward. Introduction to some agiltiy equipement as appropriate. Continued attendance in Conformation classes.

Mysty - Continued work in conformation, more exercise and weight loss program (ok, Crystal is joining Mysty in her goals!) Continued attendance in Conformation classes

Dew-oh - Sit-stay, Down-stay, Stand-stay, come front

Diana - Sit-stay, Down-stay, Stand-stay, come front

Devon - stand on the table, allow extensive grooming, scissors, blow dryer, walk on leash, go out to kennel club in a group setting, puppy class or conformation classes HOUSEBREAKING!!

 

 

Posted by: Vistadei at 12:23 | link | comments

Near disaster this morning! Got up and vacumed and started to run the steam cleaner and it WOULDN'T SUCK UP THE WATER!!! yippppeesss.. now in my life the 3 most important mechanical items I can live without are the car, the microwave and the steam cleaner!! Well, my son helped me take it all apart and we found a hair clog (suprise!) and got it sucking again, so all is well..

Posted by: Vistadei at 13:21 | link | comments

I did a little photo shoot of Devon this morning.. isn't he too cute!

 

Posted by: Vistadei at 08:49 | link | comments (1)

Oh I typed up this wonderful list of Brags for our Kennel club and breed list, so wanted to share with you, even tho it includes some of what I posted last week!

Last Sunday at the CABTC agility trial at North Olmsted, Ohio, My boy, U-Ch. Sirius Stellar Performance CD,RN,NA,NAJ,2/3 NAJP, 1/3NAP,CGC,VCCX  "Darby" earned his one leg
in Novice Standard Preferred  with a first Place score, and this weekend at
GPGRC agility trial in Cheswick, PA,  he earned 2 legs in Novice Preferred
Jumpers With Weaves, one First Place score and one Third Place clean run.

One of our home bred girls, Vista Dei Luvme Genevieve1/3RN, 2/3NA, 2/3NAJ,CGC,TDI "Genni" made
her ring début last Sunday at the CABTC trials, earning a leg of her Novice
Standard and one Novice Jumpers with Weaves, both first place scores.  This
Sunday in Cheswick she earned another Novice Standard leg with a first place
score, and a Novice JWW leg with a second place clean run, only 2/100 of a
second behind the first place winner!  Just a couple weeks ago at the Bushy
Run Kennel Club show, Genni also picked up her first leg in Rally Novice,
with a first place score.  Thanks so much to her owner/handler Shawn in
his very first times in the ring!

Another of our home bred boys Vista Dei Luvme Like a Rock, NA,NAJ,OA,OAJ ,2/3 AX, 1/3 AXJ "Regis" in
Cheswick on Saturday earned his second leg in Excellent  Standard Agility
with a first place score, and his first leg in Excellent Jumpers With Weaves
with a first place score. Thanks so much to his owner/handler Tim,
  We are also proud to announce that one of our new sheltie
pups, Vista Dei Race Against Time "Kiwi" (Puppy #6) has gone to live with Time and Christy, Abby and Regis so look for them next year in the ring!

Vista Dei The Storm Chaser NA, NAJ,CGC "Drifter" finished his Novice Agility
title in the CABTC trials with a first place score running a 69 second
standard course time in only 36.12 seconds. Thanks to his owner/handler Dave 
for putting on the speed!

Posted by: Vistadei at 20:22 | link | comments (1)

Just got in a picture of Dave and Drifter from last weekend after they finished the NA title hahah Dave is calling him "Rocket man" now!

Posted by: Vistadei at 14:09 | link | comments

Puppy updates!!

Puppy #1 - Abby, is doing well in her new home, learning to walk on a leash.  Here are some pictures.. Thanks Sue and AJ for the update!

Puppy #2 - Cooper is enjoying his new home and kids to play with - thanks Amy and Joe for the updates!

Puppy #3 - Mocha, good vet check, having a ball playing all the time with his new family and cat, working on potty training! Pictures coming soon.. Thank Tricia for the update!

Puppy #4 - Stella, had her shots and good vet check, Mom picked out a registered name for her she will be Vista Dei Luv's Desire.  She is holding her own with 4 sheltie boy dogs to play with, has them wrapped around her little paw it sounds like!  Thanks Kelly!

Puppy #5 - Devon - still here, still not sure if we want him in a pet home, in a show home or in OUR home. Serious inquires will be considered.  He is looking good, learned to go up the stairs, but not down yet.  He knows to come when his name is called and is learning to stand on the grooming table and show his pretty ear expression.

Puppy #6 - Kiwi - finally has a new name and is in her new home.  Since she just went home this past weekend, no new pictures, but we hear she is enjoying chasing her uncle Regis around and loves kids. Still working on a registered name for Kiwi, but what ever it is she will be one FUN little girl!  Thanks Christy and Tim! 

Posted by: Vistadei at 08:35 | link | comments (3)

Sure wish'n I could get off the porch and play with that soccer ball!

Posted by: Vistadei at 14:02 | link | comments (1)

Puppy #5 - "Devon" - sez - ohhh sniffle sniffle.. I am all alone now, my sister went home this weekend, and I am so lonely!  This morning a nice lady came by and took me away in a car, I thought I was going to my new home, but noooo turned out the nice lady was Miz Crystal's daughter Ashley, and she stopped to take me for a car ride!  She is a manager at Starbucks and she had to go drop off some paperwork on her day off, so she took me for a ride, and I got hugs from the people at Starbucks who were happy to meet me.  They said I was a quiet Laid back kinda guy, but really it is just I do not know what to do without my sister!!  Then when I came home I got to play in the grass... I could hardly wait till I got inside, I held my pee pee so I could go on the carpet, but just as I was starting to go, Miz Crystal swooped me up and ran back outside with me.  I didn't want to play in the grass anymore, I just wanted to pee, sometimes I think she is a crazy lady!  After my breakfast she put a little purple collar on my neck, and tried to strangle me.  Luckily it is not too tight, so she didn't suceed with that diabolical plan.  She snapped a leash on the collar and took me out to the BIG exersize yard where my mom and dad and all those big dogs were playing.  At first I didn't like it, my Grandma Mysty was up in the woods barking bad bad words at the squirrels, and I thought maybe she was a mean and would say bad words at ME, but she didn't - she came and gave me a snuff and a kiss then when back to barking more bad words at the evil squirrels.  Sum of them big dogs just run and run and run!  They chase balls that Miz Crystal throws.  I wasn't sure why my mom and dad were running so fast.  Pretty soon I saw the big Blue dog, Uncle Decker.. uhhh he say to call him CHAMPION DECKER.. boy, those ribbons sure go to their heads! Anyway Uncle.. hmm.. Champion.. oh heck that blue dog over there.. he showed me how to climb up the rocks and get really high on the steep hill.  I sure liked climbing up there after him, but then I turned around and wondered how the heck you get back down!?!?  Well he just ran really fast and down he went, but my legs aren't that long, so Miz Crystal had to climb up and get me.  She carried me around while she hosed the patio, I didn't have to get my feet wet that way.  Now I am ready for another nap, but she put me out on the grass again, guess she doesn't know I need to pee.. I'm TRY'N to hold till I get inside.. I'm Try'n!

This is ME! I am 9 weeks old!

Posted by: Vistadei at 12:55 | link | comments (3)

Vista Dei dogs bring home more blue this weekend!!

Genni and Shawn, in their agility ring debute brought home TWO FIRST PLACE RIBBONS!! and a leg towards thier NA and a leg towards her NAJ titles, so she is Vista Dei Luvme Genevieve 1/3RN, 1/3NA, 1/3, NAJ CGC, TDI  .... wooooo weeeee!!!! Shawn did an EXCELLENT job of handling, just awsome guys, so proud to be there to watch you run!!

I am also pround to say Darby earned his first leg in Novice Perfered (NAP) with a first place ribbon.  The other run we crashed bars on a double jump, so NQ'd was a long hot day, even with airconditioning in the sports arena, makes me worry a bit about next weekend's trial in a different area with NO airconditioning.  I hope this heat breaks before next Saturday.

 

Posted by: Vistadei at 00:14 | link | comments (2)

Another wooo weeee!!  Just got off the phone with Dave and Drifter earned his NA title today running a 69 second standard course in only 36.12 seconds!!  I believe that earned him another blue ribbon and some extra special compliments after the show.. I am SO PROUD OF YOU GUYS!!  He is now Vista Dei The Storm Chaser NA, NAJ, 1/3 RN, CGC... yeah!!!!

Posted by: Vistadei at 21:13 | link | comments

Names names names..  We have recieved news that puppy #1 has her name.. she will be Vista Dei Talk of the Town, and called "Abby" ..

Puppy #6 sez - hey.. I don't have a name yet!!  Maybe this weekend I will get one for my own! After all.. being called by a number only seems to work out well if you are a star in a TV Science Fiction Series!  You have the helm number one!! hahahah Hey, Number Five.. who's goin' name you???

Puppy #5 sez - (with a snooty roll of the eyes) Miz Crystal has already been calling me a name.. she calls me "Devon" it is a name that comes from the Devonshire in England, beautiful farm land where Collies drive sheep. Miz Crystal won't give me a long fancy name till she decides if I am going to live here forever or get a new home of my own, but she says Devon is a good name to call a strong boy like me! Hey aunt Cricket.. I am not a moose!! look here is me beside a soccer ball!

Posted by: Vistadei at 11:24 | link | comments (2)

Yesterday I got home too late from work to make it to my agility class.  That is a bummer cause I am showing on Sunday and need all the practice I can get!!  oh well, can only do what you can do...

I bought an E-Z up shade canopy for the dog shows, tired of baking in the sun, I hope I can get it up myself, have to take it out and try in the yard.  I figured that I can put it up partially over the car and that would keep it from getting so hot too.  I probably won't use it more than a few times a year, but when you need it, you need it!  These last shows were sooooo hot and we had to try to squeeze the dog's crated into the building etc would be nice to have some shade. 

Posted by: Vistadei at 11:24 | link | comments

Puppy #6 and Puppy #5 at 8 weeks old

Posted by: Vistadei at 19:38 | link | comments (2)

Puppy #5 sez - Wow.. it has been like "invasion of the body snatchers" around here!! There is only you and me left!!  What's up with that??

Puppy #6 sez - yup, just the two of us here.  Tim and Christy are going to be my new parents and they are on vacation, so they can't get me till Saturday.. ohhhh boy oh boy I can't WAIT!  I'm agoin' to live with my Uncle Regis and race him around the agility ring when I get bigger.. I think I will be even FASTER than he is!!

Puppy #5 - Well what about ME?  When is John coming for ME?

Puppy #6 -ohhhhhh didn't Miz Crystal tell you?? John got a job offer and has to travel alot, so he didn't think it would be fair to take you home and have to leave you alone or borded while he traveled.  He is not coming for you #5...

Puppy #5 - WAAAAAAAAAAAAA  WWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA  wwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaa sob sob sob BBUTT BUTT BUT.. I was gonna be John's best buddy.. now what will happen to me?? sobb sobbb wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.....

Puppy #6 sez - shhhh shhhhhh.. now #6.. it will be ok.. Miz Crystal says things happen for a reason and you are looking quite "promising" anyway.

Puppy #5 sez - <lip quivering> <sniffle sniffle>  What does it mean to be "promising"???

Puppy #6 sez - well Miz Crystal thinks you look more like a promising show prospect than a pet puppy.  She thinks she might like to watch you for a while..

Puppy #5 sez - watch me do what??  watch me pee on the floor.. oh look see I did that.. there is the puddle..

Puppy #6 sez - no stupid.. watch you to see how you grow.. to see if you stay "promising"..

Puppy #5 sez - you called me stupid... I am going to pull your tail.. ggggrrrrrrr gggggrrrrrr pounce.. gggrrrrrrr

Puppy #6 sez - SQUEALLLLLL  ouch you stupid.. OUCH.. ouch.. ouch let go a my tail!!.. oh Miz Crystal, I think you should change his status from "promising" to "available"  ouch!! your teeth are sharp!!

 

Posted by: Vistadei at 11:36 | link | comments (2)

Something seems to be wrong with the blog ... lost some posts, I guess some of the comments sections aren't working well.  Hopefully the host will get this corrected soon..

Posted by: Vistadei at 14:11 | link | comments (2)

Puppy #1 sez - It was a quiet afternoon, the dogs were snoozing, the birds singing sweetly, me and the other 2 pupies napping in a pile, but Miz Crystal was bustling about - she was running up and down from the house to the car taking crates and chairs and coolers and towel and stuff.  I thought maybe I was going to a dog show with her, but she said no, I was going to my new HOME before she left for the shows!!!  Oh I know what that ment.. the bath.. but I am a pretty easy going girl, so I didn't worry about it much.  When she finally snagged me outta the pen and took me to the tub, I was happy cause I couldn't wait to go to my new home.  The bath wasn't too bad, when I started to squirm, Miz Crystal held me up infront of some big piece of glass she called a mirror and let me watch another puppy get shampoo'd!  It was being a pretty good puppy, and I got so interested in watching it that I stopped wiggling and let her finish with my bath and blow dry.  Soon my new parents came for me, they are not sure what my new name is yet, they want to live with me a few days before they decide, but I heard them saying I was an "Angel" an awful lot, so I wonder if Angel might be my new name?

Puppy #1  goes home

 ******* Name Undecided *******

Puppy #1 - 8 weeks old

 

 

Posted by: Vistadei at 07:34 | link | comments (1)

Today at the Carnation City UKC shows, Decker finished his UKC Ch. with a first place in Adult male class and Best Male at the morning Show. He is now U-Ch. Gemstone Over the Top.

Over some seriously stiff competition Mysty took first in the Adult Female Class, Best Female and Best of winners for her first UKC points and first competition win.  It has been 4 years since Mysty was in the ring, but
she just turned on the charm and showed her heart out, I was soooo happy with her performance.  In the afternoon show, she place first in the Adult Female Class and was Reserve Best Female.  She was so much fun to show!

And .. Ricki took his first steps in the ring today, and handled himself quite well.  In the AM show he placed 2nd in his class and came back in taking Reserve Best Male.  In the afternoon show he placed first in his class, and Best Male for his first UKC points.

Posted by: Vistadei at 22:14 | link | comments

Puppy #4 sez - I heard tell Miz Crystal described me to my new mom as a "tom boy" !! Well I proved that wrong this morning, as I went all Diva on her.  I do not know what those boy dogs were fussing about last night, because I expected to get drowned myself this morning, instead I got the full SPA treatment!  A warm swirly bath, which I enjoyed.  The sudds were applied to me in a massage like manner, it was heavenly, causing me to sigh with great pleasure.  Then it was off to the blow drier, my hair was brushed and plumped, even got a sprits of spray to hold it in a little shape. Got  my nails done and that was just fine by me, I enjoyed the pampering and filing.  Thought maybe Miz Crystal would polish my nails, but she said I am a sheltie, NOT a poodle, so no polish for ME!  My ears were set and glued in place, just like a woman getting her hair up in curlers.  I think I look like a grown up sheltie now, instead of a baby.  Soon after all this pampering I was picked up by my Limo Driver Lara.  She is taking me on a long drive to my new home in Virginia and there I will get to meet my new Mom and her whole family.  Yawnnnnn I believe I will take a nap while I travel, it will be a long day and I want to look fresh and rested when I arrive.. "Tom Boy"?? Oh I think NOT..

Puppy #4 Leaves for her long trip home - Thanks for the Ride Lara!!

HER NAME  *********** "Stella" *************

Puppy #4 - 8 weeks old

Posted by: Vistadei at 09:43 | link | comments (3)

Puppy #2 goes home with his new owners

HIS NAME***** "Cooper" ********

Puppy #3 - Goes Home with his new family

HIS NAME  ****** "Mocha" *******

Posted by: Vistadei at 09:21 | link | comments (3)

Puppy #2 sez - You know.. I used to LIKE Miz Crystal, and I have enjoyed living here the past 8 weeks, but boy, people are just not as nice as they sometimes seem, are they Puppy #3?

Puppy #3 sez - Got that right!!  I was out playing with the gang and Miz Crystal appeared out of no-where, and took me in the bedroom and tried to chop my toes off!!!!  Thank goodness she only got the end of each toenail!! I screamed and hollared anyway, just incase.

Puppy #2 - She did the very same thing to ME!!  Then she took me into the bathroom and tried to drown me!

Puppy #3 - You are lucky all she did was try to drown YOU.. she put some smelly suddies stuff all over ME and it tasted funny, but the little bubbles were pretty.

Puppy #2 - I had some of that smelly stuff on me too, then she changed her mind and went right back to trying to drown me again.  Thank goodness I am so cute that she stopped and wrapped me up in a towel and told me she loved me.

Puppy #3 - Well I don't believe she loves me, cause even tho she said so, she almost let a big noisy metal thing blow me away!  My hair is all standing up on end now and I look a fright!

Puppy #2 - yeah, well, now that we look like this, she has decided to take some pictures again, but I hear in a few minutes our NEW FAMILIES will be here to rescue us from this torment!

Puppy #3 - ohhh ohhh I am getting some kids to play with, are you?

Puppy #2 - I sure am, can't wait.. hey, the rest of you better watch out, cause Miz Crystal still has out the little bath tub and you are going to be NEXT!

Puppy #2 8 weeks old

 

Puppy #3 - 8 weeks old

Posted by: Vistadei at 20:21 | link | comments

I put together puppy packets this morning, and realize the time is getting so close!  This has been one of my easiest most delightful litters, each puppy is just full of personality and such a joy.  I hope everyone who adopts one enjoys them half as much as I have. 

Some of the things that will be included in the puppy pack:

• A plus toy that has been in with the litter (ok smells a tiny bit funny, but that is the point!)
• A Rope toy with stringy tassle ends (mine all love these)
• 2 Weeks of puppy food
• Bottle of ear glue
• Dr. Foster and Smith catalog (can by the flea meds and toys and chewies and toys and chewies and toys and toys and toys and more toys)
• A puppy care calandar
• A big packet of informational material on housebreaking, crate training, basic obedience, socialization, etc.
• You puppies health records
• AKC registration papers
• Bill of sale/contract

Tonight I have some agility practice, then will cut the puppies toenails.  Tomarrow right before pick up I will give them a bath so they are fresh and clean for their new adventure (don't much expect that they will stay that way!)

Posted by: Vistadei at 14:55 | link | comments

Puppy Tip #6 - Ears, ears, ears.. what ever to do with sheltie ears.. some tip perfectly with no help at all, some stick straight up, others drag down, still others have a mind of their own, one up, one down or some variation on the theme.. up in the cold, down in the heat!  I have bought every puppy a bottle of hair glue for their ear bracing.  I have done step by step photo instructions that you can refer to here: http://www.vistadeishelties.com/ears.html  Now, the question is, do we glue the ears into place at the time you pick up the puppy, or would you like to wait and see what they do on their own.  If you want to wait, I will show you how to do it, without actually using the glue, then if the ears start to fly up, you can either try to do it on your own, or bring the puppy by my house with an appointment and we will do it here while you watch, so you can do it on your own later.  OR.. we can do it the night of pick up and get the ears into place right away and then you can maintain it.  It doesn't hurt the puppy, but will be a little odd feeling and puppy will tend to scratch at them for the first day or two.  I will definately do Stella's ears (puppy #4), before she starts on her long trip home, because she has to have a good ear set for conformation shows.  I will do puppy #6 here for you guys because I know you want those ears tipped correctly too.  The rest of you, think on it and let me know if you want to wait and watch, or do it now.

 

Posted by: Vistadei at 08:27 | link | comments (1)

Puppy Tip #5 - Parasites.. mmmmmm now THIS is something everyone tunes out on pick up!!  Infact you might be tempted to scroll right by it now.. but wait!  It is important!  First matter.. when your dog goes to your vet he/she will probably want to give you a perscription for heart worm medication.  That is great BUT.. you dog should ONLY be on a product called Interceptor.  NOT Heartguard or Revolution or some of the other brand names.  Many of the other brand names contain the actual drug call "Ivermectin" and it is estimated 25% of collies and shelties will have serious reactions to that medication, so you do not want to use any product with the actual medication "ivermectin" in it.  Interceptor does not contain that medication, so it is good to use.  Suprisingly many vets do not seem to know this, or decide they will take the 25% risk, but there is no need to when a perfectly good and popular alternitive exists.  Interceptor will also keep killing off any other types of worms your dog might pick up, like whipworms etc, so it does a double duty.  Speaking of worms, almost all puppies have worms as some time in their lives, because part of the life cycle of the parisite is to implant eggs in the mamary glans of the mother, and the puppies get them through her milk. Our puppies have been wormed multiple times in the first 8 weeks, and have had a negative stool sample at our vet, but your vet will want to run a stool sample too.  This is because internal parasites go through different life stages, and if you got all of them one week, it isn't 100% that there wasn't some little eggs hiding somewhere, and they have to be gotten again.  Chances are, the vet won't find anything, but if he does it is a simple dose of meds will be perscribed.  I am going to worm again tonight, just to be sure everything is A-ok when they are picked up this week.  FLEAS.. ewwww.. well I have not seen any fleas here this year yet, so I have not treated for fleas.  But puppies can pick up fleas within just hours of being in an enviroment were they hide.  I find yards that have large numbers of wild rabbits are the biggest offenders, as the bunnies come dragging along the fleas.  It used to be a big issue to get rid of fleas, but no longer thank goodness!!  The best product I have found has been Advantage, and it comes in little doses just right for your puppy.  You can pick up a 4 to 6 month supply at your vet, or buy it through catalogs at a deep discount.  It is a little tube of liquid you part the hair on the middle of the neck towards the shoulder blades, and squirt it on.. no more fleas!  I do not believe in just using it unless I see signs of fleas tho, as any chemical should be used with some caution and when needed.  There is also a product called Advantix, which can be used if you are in an area that has ticks, as it kills both fleas and ticks.  I have never had ticks, so never used it, but I have heard it works great.  The cheaper products that you can buy at Wallmart and Kmart, like Bio-spot, have never really worked for me, so probably not worth wasting the $$ on.

Posted by: Vistadei at 08:02 | link | comments
puppy tip

Puppy Tip #4 - The puppies have had one set of shots from my vet.  THEY MUST HAVE MORE SHOTS before you take them out to places like Pet-smart, puppy classes, parks, rest-stops, camping, play grounds, anywhere that strange dogs have been.  If you note on our web page, under "sheltie angels" there is a little puppy named Lexi.  Lexi died at 17 weeks of age, because she didn't get her next sets of shots when she should have after she left our house.  She contracted Parvo, even in the winter-time and died very quickly.  Now I remind, remind, remind new owners to go to the vet and get the shots the puppies need.  When puppies are very young and nursing on their mother, they get her immunity to disease through her milk.  When they stop nursing, they get their first shots soon after.  It is a real crap shoot on those first shots, if their mother's immunity is still high, then the shots don't take much effect.  It is so important for them to get at least 2 more sets of shots, some vets like to break it up to 3 sets of shots.  This litter should have their next shots by July 20  they can have it a few days early, but not TOO early.  You can make your appointment with the vet now.  After the vet has given them the second shot, he/she will put you on a schedule and make an appointment for the 3rd set of shots, approximately 4 weeks later, and may very well want to do one more set after 16 weeks.  That will complete the puppy shots until they are ready for their 1 year later booster.  PLEASE do not take your puppies out and expose them before they get more shots, it is a prime time and weather for spread of Parvo.  Adult dogs who have immunity, could be carrying the virus and not be sick, but a pup with no shots will pick it right up.  We NEVER want a repeat of loosing Lexi..

Posted by: Vistadei at 22:28 | link | comments (2)

I am having a sad day today.  I have been out buying items for the puppies going home puppy packs, and it makes me realize that a few short days from now, most of them will be leaving for their new homes. Some of them I might never see again except in pictures.  I know they will bring joy and love to their new families, but my little world will be so quiet without them.

PUPPY TIP #2 - Buy some bottled water for your puppy when it comes home.  Often changes to well water, or water from other areas and states cause tummy upset.  A few bottles of bottled water will help the transition.  After the first few days start mixing in a little of your own water until in a weeks time or so you have switched over.  The same applies if you would like to switch puppy food from what they are eating now.  As I have told some of you, I do not believe the super premium puppy foods are good, they are too high in protien and too rich.  I will be sending home enough for probably 2 weeks or more of their current food, I would recommend keeping them on it till they are 6 months old, then switching to adult food.  If you are going to another brand, look for a protien level under 27%  I believe Neutro makes some lower protien foods, and some of the Pro-plan are lower too.  At this time I am feeding each puppy a measured 1/2 cup two times a day, 12 hours apart.  So if you feed breakfast at 8am, try for 8pm for dinner.  Some of the puppies need a heaping 1/2 cup (puppy #1 and puppy #4) and some leave a dozen or more pieces of kibble from their 1/2 cup (Puppy #3 and #2)  I believe #5 and #6 are happy with exactly the 1/2 cup.  You can make adjustments as they grow, they will go through spurts where they will need alot more, then after they are adults will probably be good on about 1/2 to 3/4 cup adult food twice a day.  The puppies are all eating well in their individual crates, since I am feeding totally dry food, they need plenty of fresh water after eating.  I leave them in for about 1/2 hour to eat, then take them out to potty.

Puppy Tip #3 - Puppies are sleeping all night in their individual crates now with a minimal amount of whining, maybe 5 to 10 mins max of whining.  I put them in their crates the very last thing before I go to bed, which for me is about midnight.  I allow plenty of play before that, then to the potty, then to bed.  They will sleep all night till about 6 in the morning.  Unfortunately, they are not all staying dry all night, but that will come with age.  No poo's in the crate so far.

Posted by: Vistadei at 21:03 | link | comments (1)
puppy tip

WWWOOOOOOOOOOO HHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, Just heard from Shawn that in the first ever AKC show for him and Genni, they took a first place Ribbon in Novice A Rally Obedience!!  whooo hoooo, KNEW you could do it guys!  I am so proud of you!!  Gennin is now - Vista Dei Luvme Geneveive 1/3RN,CGC,TDI  and Shawn is just one darn happy guy!!

Posted by: Vistadei at 14:01 | link | comments