Evawell Elliisa - VA1

Well what a shock, another first to go down in history. The World Siegerin this year is a British-bred, French-owned female. WOW, I wonder how the Germans feel about that? 

You may recal I wrote about Eliise after she was BOB at Crufts in 2025 - I said then that we can only dream of breeding/owning a female like this - and now she's the best in the world! 

Meerah With Zavi

All that's left of Zavi's baby coat is the mohecan; it makes him look really odd, but it'll soon be gone! 

Not a chance of catching Meerah with those little legs, but one day you will!

These two had so much fun, but she was a bit much for him at times. It's great for them to have fun in the field, but she will not be doing the socialising walks with him. Meerah can feel threatened in some situations (horses and some vehicles mainly), and picking up any negativity from her would defeat the object. I have to make sure he is taking confidence from the adult with him on the walk but also make sure he's not using the presence of family members to feel extra brave and act bossy or defensive. Whilst I think all the adults have something to give, I still think Beti is the best role model. 

After The Wind And Rain

Dog Club And Bin

(This post was started on Thursday morning.) 

I'm trying to walk Zavi with different dogs, so today Ross was in charge of the baby. We didn't see anything or anybody, but I now need places to take him so he can see lots more. 

Like I said, his behaviour at club was unacceptable, but now to help protect his confidence I need to handle it correctly. The formal fear periods are typically around 8 to 11 weeks, and then during adolescence, often around 6 to 14 months. At 16 weeks (4 months), Zavi is right in that transitional window between the two major peaks. Up until roughly 12 to 16 weeks, a puppy's brain is naturally programmed to accept new things as safe by default (the critical socialisation window). Around 16 weeks, that brain chemistry shifts, and the default flips: instead of "new things are safe until proven dangerous", the brain starts treating "new or unusual things as potentially suspicious until proven safe!" 

Yesterday Zavi decided he was scared of Carrie's Wheelie bin, he has never shown fear of anything likethat before, so I guess it was potentially dangerous until proven safe! I know it wasn't ideal for me to just drag him past it, but I did because I needed to get off the road. On the way out we let him observe it from a safe distance, reward him with treats and let him approach at his own pace. Getting spooked by an everyday static object out of nowhere (a wheelie bin, a sign, a statue etc ) is textbook behaviour for a puppy experiencing developmental fear sensitivity. As I said earlier at this age, a puppy's brain re-evaluates the environment and flags everyday items as potential threats. I have to be really careful how I handle things now, as bad experiences during this developmental phase can leave lasting impressions. 

Zavi has loved going to Ring Craft, give or take the first 30 mins of the first night, he's been happy and confident. This week as soon as we walked in a Doodle something or another from the Obedience class had a right go at him, Zavi unfortunately, responded. My low-value treats were of no interest to him. (Note to self – get high-value treats for next time.) Gladly the Doodle went out, but just as he was settling Margo the Black Russian arrived, and though she did nothing wrong, Zavi got very worried. Again my treats were of no interest, and he grumbled and growled. Zavi had never seen Margo before, and I can understand his concern, a Black Russian is a very different-looking dog and without even seeing her eyes I guess he couldn't read her. Luckily Margo is wonderful and was happy to go round the hall whilst Zavi and I stood in the middle watching. I remember telling him as she walked round, "You see, you didn't die, I don't think she's even noticed your there!" 

Happy that it had gone well and not wanting to ruine things, I was reluctant to hand Zavi over to Eifion whilst I did the class, but I had no choice, and unfortunately, it really didn't go well. Zavi was stressed and loud. A friend went over to try and calm him, he jumped at her for reassurance, but her own bitch took exception to it and came forward towards him. Zavi reacted aggressively, all teeth and hackles! At 4 months I can't imagine this was true social aggression. What looked like "aggression" toward the other dog (barking, lunging, growling) was hopefully no more than a defensive reaction triggered because he felt insecure or overwhelmed. I feel guilty for letting him down; in the future if I'm taking a class he will have to go into the van. 

As I've said before dogs don't need "friends" outside their family; all I will ask of Zavi is that he is confident and happy in the company of other dogs. To be honest, I'd be happier if he ignored them than anything else! 

Great Results.

I'm less than half way through writing about recent events with Zavi, his nervousness of a wheelie bin at Carrie's house and his behaviour at club being the main issues. Whilst I will go back to it, I am going to jump forward and write about today! 

I have decided to walk Zavi with Beti in situations where we could come across people with dogs, bikes, prams etc. I know I call Beti a nut job, but when it comes to going out and about, nothing bothers her, and I feel it would benefit him to feed off her confidence.  

Puppies look to older dogs in their "pack" to gauge whether a situation is dangerous or safe. Walking with a solid adult dog is one of the most effective ways to build a young dog's confidence. (As we did to help Meerah near horses) 

This morning we left a sunny Fron and got a bloody soaking walking in Tremadog. I walked along the narrow "lein - fach" towards the fields behind the chapel. Beti taking the lead and Zavi proudly following his mother figure. We had fun in the fields, but as we got back onto the narrow track, the heavens opened. Two men came flying past on bikes, neither dog reacted. Two people were sheltering under the flyover, no reaction, and then a young lady came towards us with a small dog. To help Zavi feel safe, I put Beti on the outside and put Zavi between her and me. With Beti there, I too was calm and relaxed, I held Zavi's collar and quietly said, "Leave it - Wait." Wow, faultless, bloody wonderful. Well done to the teacher and student. 

I rushed back into Mum's yard to shelter from the rain that was bouncing on the ground like April showers and we sheltered by the shed, only realising then that all three of us were standing by the wheelly bin! 

Beti was delighted to see Mum, and Zavi said a quick hello, she couldn't get over the size of him, and asked why Beti was so small? Small? Small? She's just perfect!

Theoretically, when Zavi encounters a spooky object (like the wheelie bin) or sees a strange dog, his immediate reaction should be to check the other dog's body language. Beti will be his ideal mentor; though she is interested in everything, she remains relaxed and completely unbothered, and that should send a clear signal to Zavi "This is not a threat; no action required!" LOL 

Having Beti there with him right now when he's at an age of seeing new or unusual things as "potentially suspicious until proven safe" provides a safety buffer, which naturally lowers his adrenaline levels and keeps him calm. Of course movement helps diffuse nervous energy, but on a narrow path like this I felt safer moving to the side and controlling the situation at my end. I was delighted with the outcome today, and as we moved off, I gave them both nice gentle praise. Zavi needs to learn to trust my leadership as well as the confidence he gets from Beti, but we don't need to go OTT, he did well, but this is only everyday life!

When I got home I told Steve about the morning, he said "Rain? What rain? We haven't had a drop!"My coat is on the line and I even had to change my hoodie!

Happy Walks

4 Months Photos

              

My little man is visiting on his 4 months birthday day ... if there isn't such a thing, well there is now!

I feel I have a little bit of work on him in the company of other dogs. Last night at club there were a couple of incidents that really were not acceptable ... I have to sort it now before it escalates. 

4 Months

Hopefully I'll get some individual photos later, but I wanted to get this done. 

Zavi is 4 months old today – and I think his weight and measures are on the money for his age. 

He is 51cm and 19.8 kg, and Orin was also 51cm and 19.2kg. Couldn't be any closer. By 5 months he should be roughly 5kg heavier and 5 cm taller.

Just out of interest, I should have realised it was going wrong with Meerah, she was 49.5cms and weighed 17.8kg at 4 months. In comparison, Siska was 15.8 kg and 46.5cms at the same age. 

No Lunch!

At 4 months something always happens at Blanik. The recent girls didn't care, but Orin was mortified .... I fear a greedy Zavi will be equally disgruntled! At 4 months, lunches go off the menu. It really won't be a popular decision in Zavi's world. .

To meet their growing needs, puppies need a large quantity of food daily, but by 4 months old they are big enough for that quantity to be reduced to three meals a day. Here I continue to feed three meals till a minimum of 6 months old, and depending on the individual, sometimes beyond! 

Zavi loves food, he shovels it down. I am glad, there's not a lot more frustrating than a puppy/dog who doesn't eat ... is there Meerah!!!!

Reminiscing - The Boys At 4 Months

 

Orin

Having a puppy gives me the perfect excuse to reminisce – OMG - Look at them! 

Mikey's ears were up and down, Loki lacked strength in his head. Ross, well, always the clown ... and My Orin, just stunning. I was and still am so proud of all of them, who they were and who they became.