I Found My New Puppy!

OK. Mercedes' pup is only 4 weeks old ... a bit timid still. He's "coming around" but he's more resistant to weaning than the females. The girls will approach us when we walk into the pen, but, he tends to stay back ... doesn't resist when we pick him up, just still a "momma's boy". He is also the runt of the litter, so he's likely to be more submissive.

As for Isis' boys ...

Dominance testing: Both boys did well. 294 resisted a bit longer, but, both boys love having their tummies rubbed. Placing them on their backs - or cradling them on their backs - is something we do with all puppies from the day they begin taking their first steps.

Independence testing: Both boys run about while we are walking them, tails up. They will stop to investigate something that catches their attention, but, then catch up to us. Both are very active.

Prey testing: Neither of these boys show anything other than a casual interest in the ducks and cats that wander around the barn ... if either wanders close enough, the boys will run towards them but once the cats/ducks scurry off, the boys lose interest and move on to something else.

As for water, neither minds bathing. But, neither plays in their drinking water (unlike one of the females that is constantly dumping the drinking water!). The male that went to Utah would run and jump in the pond every time he got near enough. The rest of the boys would walk up to the edge and walk into the water up to their bellies, but, wouldn't just jump in.

#294 appears to have a more stocky build and his coat is a bit longer and darker. Both boys give kisses when prompted, but are not prone to excessive licking. Ron has been working with them on a leash and sitting upon command. They are doing well on the leash ... no pulling or laying down. Both are beginning to understand "sit" but still require some prompting by applying a little pressure on the backside. At this point, it appears that neither will be a wooly like Nakota - they do have his coloring, though.