Dog Park Trip

Yesterday, Jennifer and I took our dogs to Marymoor Dog Park. They had sooo much fun!!

I took a gazillion photos and will get them posted to my website in the next day or two, but I wanted to share this photo of our crew "sitting for a cookie" at the dog park. We practice calling the dogs in for a sit and then feeding them cookies in order to make sure we have good recalls at the dog park. Our dogs have lovely recalls as they love their dog park snacks (-:

Our trip was a huge success and I have a houseful of tired, happy dogs today. My dogs are very athletic and love the running, playing and swimming they get to do at the dog park. One of my favorite things about English Cockers is the fact that the "big dog" owners at the dog park are amazed at how athletic my little cockers are. The first reaction people usually have to my dogs is "aww, what cute little cockers." I love that about this breed. There are not many breeds that are the perfect size for snuggling on the couch, but also have the energy and athleticism of a lab or golden when playing fetch, swimming, etc.

Hanging Out Under The Apple Tree

1st Time Outside

The puppies went outside for the first time on Saturday. They had sooo much fun. They are a very fearless group and showed no hesitation in the yard; running everywhere and checking everything out. Tails were wagging the entire time. Portia spent the afternoon in the yard with them, which she thought was great. She was working on teaching them to play wrestling games with her and also showed them how to run very fast. It was super cute.

They did, however, wear off their birthday bath playing in the dirt (-:

Puppy Bath Time

The puppies turned 6 weeks old on Thursday. They had a bath, which most of them really enjoyed. These puppies seem to like water quite a bit. They were washed in Bobbi Panter's Baby Bebe shampoo and smell like baby powder now. Great for snuggling (-:

Here are some photos of the squeaky clean pups taken just after their bath.

Cute Pet Photos

Jeep Dreaming

Frasier and Friends

Jeep Swimming

Jack and Ivy

Jeep Keeping Cool

The Puppies are Growing Up!

I can't believe these puppies are already five and a half weeks old. This summer has really flown by for me. I am looking forward to the slower pace of fall and winter. I am enjoying this little group of puppies so much. They have done so well with the potty pen. They have excellent potty manners and are very clean little puppies. They do want to spend as much time as possible being held my me or by any other person they can get to pick them up (-: They love to wrestle, play with toys and, of course, eat (-:

Litter Box Training

I am attempting to litter box train my current puppies. I have tried this in the past and have never been successful as I panic when the puppies start eating the litter and go back to my old, less edible methods for puppy potty areas. I have been convinced to try again, this time introducing the litter before introducing food. So far, so good. The puppies are not using the litter, but they are not eating it either (-: I am hoping as they get older they will be more inclined to use the box and as they will be accustomed to the litter, they will hopefully not think it is food. If this works, I think it will make clean-up easier and allow me to give the puppies more space inside to play. It should also make the transition to housebreaking easier. Wish us luck!

Here is a photo of our current set-up. My plan is to replace the whelping box with the litter box when the puppies are more able to climb in and out. This is the way that other breeders I know have achieved this successfully.