Well... most of the puppies are in their new homes!! Everyone seems to be doing great!!
I am leaving early tomorrow morning and will be gone until Sunday. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Angela Alberts at Perfect Peace Goldens. Her email is perfectpeacegoldens@gmail.com and her phone is 308-346-5219.
My family will be here with the remaining couple of puppies, and they might be able to answer your questions.... or maybe not!! Angela would be your best bet!!
Have a great week and give those babies a hug from us!! I will post all the pick-up pictures when I get home!!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Understanding Temperament Test Results
I just want to make sure everyone understands...
Although evaluating a puppy can be a helpful tool in determining the future personality of a puppy, temperament testing is not a fool-proof method! Individual results may vary and the testing itself may be skewed by factors such as the puppy being tired, hungry, HOT, not feeling well, etc. I know a lot of breeders who no longer use temperament tests.... feeling that the results change so quickly.
For example... in my first litter of English goldens I had a male - Mr. White - that seemed very shy and fearful. I did not want to place him in a home with small children because of those behaviors. He ended up going to a slightly older couple with older, married children... all away from home. For some reason I don't remember, they couldn't pick him up until 9 weeks. Guess what happened as soon as all the other puppies left for their new homes? He totally came into his own!! He didn't seem shy and nervous or scared at all by the time they picked him up. I still see him from time to time as an adult.... he is sweet and playful and I have NEVER seen him be nervous!
All puppies are pretty energetic. I expect all my goldens to be "hard" at some level for the first 2 YEARS! Maverick is very mellow.... BUT... he goes berserk over food and he eats EVERYTHING. We have been lucky so far.... his menu has included such items as socks, stretchy headbands, underwear, soft squeaky toys, etc. So... he is mellow and therefore easy in that regard... but the eating thing is so hard!!
My point being.... there is no such thing as the perfect puppy!! They all do crazy things... especially the first 2 years!
Please take the temperament test results with the grain of salt.... use it as a tool... not the only tool! Take in consideration my comments the week before too.
I honestly do not think any of these puppies will be hyper. Neither parent is... Jewel is quite mellow and Honor is middle of the road. "Outgoing" does not mean hyper.... at all! What I mean by "outgoing" is.... 1st to do everything... when I come into the room my most outgoing puppies jump right up and run to me... tail up and wagging... no hesitation. When I open a door or gate... they are the 1st ones through! Lime, purple and red's tails are ALWAYS up and always wagging!! They are very happy puppies! They are the bravest in new situations. This is not a bad or good thing... just them! Other puppies are more cautious... Orange, yellow, silver, pink... again not a bad thing... they just don't jump right into new things blindly... they are careful... that doesn't mean they are scaredy cats!
Miss White reminds me of Mr. White in my first litter... I bet she will blossom as soon as shes not surrounded by a circus!
Even as a human being I would put myself in that middle category. I like new things and situations... but I proceed slowly.... not throw caution to the wind!! I have a 3 year old like the first group ... and she is fearless! It makes some things in life easier... she is not scared of being left with sitters or of being in strange places... She's happy no matter where she is! But it is hard in other areas... she tries crazy things... like jumping off tables and climbing everything!
Does my rambling make any sense?
Anyway... I just want everyone to have their perfect puppy! They are all so great I am not worried!! This has been a great litter!! Last night no one had an accident in the box!! They held it for 7 hours!! YAY!!
Although evaluating a puppy can be a helpful tool in determining the future personality of a puppy, temperament testing is not a fool-proof method! Individual results may vary and the testing itself may be skewed by factors such as the puppy being tired, hungry, HOT, not feeling well, etc. I know a lot of breeders who no longer use temperament tests.... feeling that the results change so quickly.
For example... in my first litter of English goldens I had a male - Mr. White - that seemed very shy and fearful. I did not want to place him in a home with small children because of those behaviors. He ended up going to a slightly older couple with older, married children... all away from home. For some reason I don't remember, they couldn't pick him up until 9 weeks. Guess what happened as soon as all the other puppies left for their new homes? He totally came into his own!! He didn't seem shy and nervous or scared at all by the time they picked him up. I still see him from time to time as an adult.... he is sweet and playful and I have NEVER seen him be nervous!
All puppies are pretty energetic. I expect all my goldens to be "hard" at some level for the first 2 YEARS! Maverick is very mellow.... BUT... he goes berserk over food and he eats EVERYTHING. We have been lucky so far.... his menu has included such items as socks, stretchy headbands, underwear, soft squeaky toys, etc. So... he is mellow and therefore easy in that regard... but the eating thing is so hard!!
My point being.... there is no such thing as the perfect puppy!! They all do crazy things... especially the first 2 years!
Please take the temperament test results with the grain of salt.... use it as a tool... not the only tool! Take in consideration my comments the week before too.
I honestly do not think any of these puppies will be hyper. Neither parent is... Jewel is quite mellow and Honor is middle of the road. "Outgoing" does not mean hyper.... at all! What I mean by "outgoing" is.... 1st to do everything... when I come into the room my most outgoing puppies jump right up and run to me... tail up and wagging... no hesitation. When I open a door or gate... they are the 1st ones through! Lime, purple and red's tails are ALWAYS up and always wagging!! They are very happy puppies! They are the bravest in new situations. This is not a bad or good thing... just them! Other puppies are more cautious... Orange, yellow, silver, pink... again not a bad thing... they just don't jump right into new things blindly... they are careful... that doesn't mean they are scaredy cats!
Miss White reminds me of Mr. White in my first litter... I bet she will blossom as soon as shes not surrounded by a circus!
Even as a human being I would put myself in that middle category. I like new things and situations... but I proceed slowly.... not throw caution to the wind!! I have a 3 year old like the first group ... and she is fearless! It makes some things in life easier... she is not scared of being left with sitters or of being in strange places... She's happy no matter where she is! But it is hard in other areas... she tries crazy things... like jumping off tables and climbing everything!
Does my rambling make any sense?
Anyway... I just want everyone to have their perfect puppy! They are all so great I am not worried!! This has been a great litter!! Last night no one had an accident in the box!! They held it for 7 hours!! YAY!!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
7 Week Pictures - The Girls
Miss White
Miss Pink
Miss Orange
Miss Silver
Miss Yellow
Miss Purple
Miss Red
Miss Lime
Temperament Test Results - The girls
1.) SOCIAL ATTRACTION: The puppy is placed approx. 10 feet in front of the tester and the tester kneels down and encourages the puppy to come, the breeder quietly leaves so as to not to interfere and to observe.
Orange, Yellow, Silver, Red, Purple and Pink Came readily, tail up... Pink at a more leisurely pace...
Lime came readily, tail up then stopped, got distracted and went to check some things out!
White just laid there..... would rather just hang out here....
2.) FOLLOWING: The tester walks around the area changing directions but does not verbally attract the puppy’s attention - just make sure the puppy sees the tester move.
Orange, Purple and Red followed readily, tail up underfoot
Yellow, Silver and Pink Followed readily, tail up
Lime - No follow went away investigating
White - No following... just watching....
3.) RESTRAINT: The tester rolls puppy over on its back and gently but firmly restrains the puppy for 30 seconds. No eye contact for the first 15 seconds then the tester makes eye contact with a neutral non-dominating look.
Pretty much all the girls - No struggle, relaxed
4.) RETRIEVING: Tester teases the puppy with a toy or ball then throws it 4 feet, once puppy actually goes after it the tester backs away and encourages the puppy to bring it back to tester.
All but Pink and White chases and stands over object, no pick up
Pink and White - no chase
5. TOUCH SENSITIVITY: Tester pets the puppy in a stroking motion from head to toe, lifted up feet, tail, and ears.
Note reaction:
All were calm and relaxed... enjoy the interaction
6. SOUND SENSITIVITY: With puppy investigating and not looking at the tester, tester makes a loud bang with a metal pot.
All the girls - listens, locates, runs toward the sound (I am pretty sure they thought it was a food bowl clanging!)
7.) STARTLE RESPONSE: Tester carefully opens an umbrella when pup is at least 6’ away and places it on the floor. This shows the pups reaction to large and new and unstable objects.
Silver - No startle and goes directly to it to investigate
Lime - Startles, tail drops but recovers enough to investigate
Orange, Yellow, White, Pink, Red, Purple - Startles, tail drops and looks at it - goes off to investigate elsewhere
8.) CHASE RESPONSE: Tester pulls a sock, tied to a string, past the puppy.
Yellow, Orange, Silver, Red, Pink, Purple - Looks, follows and pounces
Silver - Looks curiously, attempts to investigate
White - No interest
9.) FOOD BEHAVIOR: The puppy is given canned dog or cat food in a bowl. While the puppy is eating the tester will put their fingers in the food and move it around. Before the puppy finishes, the bowl is removed and the food is taken away.
All the puppies LOVED the canned food but NONE showed any signs of food aggression.
My Overall impressions:
The most mellow puppies are Pink and White.... White is very mellow and does show just a little bit of timidness. I believe she will outgrow this in time....
Yellow has also displayed a few timid behaviors.
Lime, Red and Purple are the most outgoing. Lime is VERY independent. She also gets a little rough when playing with the other puppies. Yellow, Red and Purple also like to wrestle a lot.... and usually end up on top!
Purple loves her people and will cry when left... even when left with other puppies!
Silver, Orange, Yellow are very middle of the road. Not super mellow but not super outgoing either. I would not say any of the puppies are "hyper". Most are very brave and happy puppies.
White is just more of a "lay around" type.... the others all play more. This week it rained and all the puppies ran out to investigate and play in the mud except 2 - Miss White and Mr. Black. They both just laid there with their heads hanging out the doggy door and watched... I was grateful at least 2 of the 11 weren't covered in mud!!
Orange, Yellow, Silver, Red, Purple and Pink Came readily, tail up... Pink at a more leisurely pace...
Lime came readily, tail up then stopped, got distracted and went to check some things out!
White just laid there..... would rather just hang out here....
2.) FOLLOWING: The tester walks around the area changing directions but does not verbally attract the puppy’s attention - just make sure the puppy sees the tester move.
Orange, Purple and Red followed readily, tail up underfoot
Yellow, Silver and Pink Followed readily, tail up
Lime - No follow went away investigating
White - No following... just watching....
3.) RESTRAINT: The tester rolls puppy over on its back and gently but firmly restrains the puppy for 30 seconds. No eye contact for the first 15 seconds then the tester makes eye contact with a neutral non-dominating look.
Pretty much all the girls - No struggle, relaxed
4.) RETRIEVING: Tester teases the puppy with a toy or ball then throws it 4 feet, once puppy actually goes after it the tester backs away and encourages the puppy to bring it back to tester.
All but Pink and White chases and stands over object, no pick up
Pink and White - no chase
5. TOUCH SENSITIVITY: Tester pets the puppy in a stroking motion from head to toe, lifted up feet, tail, and ears.
Note reaction:
All were calm and relaxed... enjoy the interaction
6. SOUND SENSITIVITY: With puppy investigating and not looking at the tester, tester makes a loud bang with a metal pot.
All the girls - listens, locates, runs toward the sound (I am pretty sure they thought it was a food bowl clanging!)
7.) STARTLE RESPONSE: Tester carefully opens an umbrella when pup is at least 6’ away and places it on the floor. This shows the pups reaction to large and new and unstable objects.
Silver - No startle and goes directly to it to investigate
Lime - Startles, tail drops but recovers enough to investigate
Orange, Yellow, White, Pink, Red, Purple - Startles, tail drops and looks at it - goes off to investigate elsewhere
8.) CHASE RESPONSE: Tester pulls a sock, tied to a string, past the puppy.
Yellow, Orange, Silver, Red, Pink, Purple - Looks, follows and pounces
Silver - Looks curiously, attempts to investigate
White - No interest
9.) FOOD BEHAVIOR: The puppy is given canned dog or cat food in a bowl. While the puppy is eating the tester will put their fingers in the food and move it around. Before the puppy finishes, the bowl is removed and the food is taken away.
All the puppies LOVED the canned food but NONE showed any signs of food aggression.
My Overall impressions:
The most mellow puppies are Pink and White.... White is very mellow and does show just a little bit of timidness. I believe she will outgrow this in time....
Yellow has also displayed a few timid behaviors.
Lime, Red and Purple are the most outgoing. Lime is VERY independent. She also gets a little rough when playing with the other puppies. Yellow, Red and Purple also like to wrestle a lot.... and usually end up on top!
Purple loves her people and will cry when left... even when left with other puppies!
Silver, Orange, Yellow are very middle of the road. Not super mellow but not super outgoing either. I would not say any of the puppies are "hyper". Most are very brave and happy puppies.
White is just more of a "lay around" type.... the others all play more. This week it rained and all the puppies ran out to investigate and play in the mud except 2 - Miss White and Mr. Black. They both just laid there with their heads hanging out the doggy door and watched... I was grateful at least 2 of the 11 weren't covered in mud!!
Most Mellow to Most Outgoing
White
Pink
Silver, Orange, Yellow
Purple
Red
Lime
The BOYS!!
7 Week Pictures and Temperament Test Results!!
GREEN
BLACK
BLUE
He wanted no part of being stacked on the grooming table!! He just wiggled and wiggled!!
All 3 boys came readily, tail up. Black at a more leisurely pace... blue and green came running and leaping!
Blue and green followed readily, tail up and were underfoot.
Black - No struggle, relaxed
Green - No struggle for the 1st 5 or 6 seconds then wanted to get up and play!
Blue - similar to Green but kept licking the hand holding him down.
All 3 boys were calm... enjoyed the interaction
Blue - Listens, locates, runs toward the sound... In think he thought it was food!!
Black and Green both startle slightly, tail down... do not investigate
Blue - Slight startle.... goes to investigate
8.) CHASE RESPONSE: Tester pulls a sock, tied to a string, past the puppy.
All 3 boys LOVED the canned food but none showed any signs of food aggression.
TEMPERAMENT TEST RESULTS:
1.) SOCIAL ATTRACTION: The puppy is placed approx. 10 feet in front of the tester and the tester kneels down and encourages the puppy to come, the breeder quietly leaves so as to not to interfere and to observe.
All 3 boys came readily, tail up. Black at a more leisurely pace... blue and green came running and leaping!
2.) FOLLOWING: The tester walks around the area changing directions but does not verbally attract the puppy’s attention - just make sure the puppy sees the tester move.
Blue and green followed readily, tail up and were underfoot.
Black followed readily, tail up but back a little ways... again... leisurely
3.) RESTRAINT: The tester rolls puppy over on its back and gently but firmly restrains the puppy for 30 seconds. No eye contact for the first 15 seconds then the tester makes eye contact with a neutral non-dominating look.
Black - No struggle, relaxed
Green - No struggle for the 1st 5 or 6 seconds then wanted to get up and play!
Blue - similar to Green but kept licking the hand holding him down.
4.) RETRIEVING: Tester teases the puppy with a toy or ball then throws it 4 feet, once puppy actually goes after it the tester backs away and encourages the puppy to bring it back to tester.
All 3 - Chases and stands over object, no pick up
5. TOUCH SENSITIVITY: Tester pets the puppy in a stroking motion from head to toe, lifted up feet, tail, and ears.
All 3 boys were calm... enjoyed the interaction
6. SOUND SENSITIVITY: With puppy investigating and not looking at the tester, tester makes a loud bang with a metal pot.
Blue - Listens, locates, runs toward the sound... In think he thought it was food!!
Green - Listens curiously attempts to investigate
Black - No interest
7.) STARTLE RESPONSE: Tester carefully opens an umbrella when pup is at least 6’ away and places it on the floor. This shows the pups reaction to large and new and unstable objects.
Black and Green both startle slightly, tail down... do not investigate
Blue - Slight startle.... goes to investigate
8.) CHASE RESPONSE: Tester pulls a sock, tied to a string, past the puppy.
Blue and Green - Looks, chases and pounces
Black - No interest
9.) FOOD BEHAVIOR: The puppy is given canned dog or cat food in a bowl. While the puppy is eating the tester will put their fingers in the food and move it around. Before the puppy finishes, the bowl is removed and the food is taken away.
All 3 boys LOVED the canned food but none showed any signs of food aggression.
OVERALL EVALUATION:
Black is the mellow fellow in the group. He is a happy puppy, very laid-back but not nervous.
Blue and Green are both happy, outgoing, playful puppies. Both are pretty fearless. Blue actually tried to jump off the grooming table!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
6 Week Pictures - Lime and Purple
Miss Lime
Miss Lime is a character! She played a lot during her bath... licking at the stream of water coming out of the faucet and constantly grabbing at the lid from the shampoo. She didn't want to stay still while I dried her off. She is VERY confident and VERY outgoing. The leader of the gang! While I was drying off other puppies she kept pouncing on my hands. At one point I was getting another puppy out of the bath and when I reached town to put that puppy on the clean towel... Miss lime decided it was the perfect place to use the bathroom! She did not want to stay still to have her picture taken... I think she actually thought about jumping off the table! She is VERY playful.... the very top of the gang as far as confidence and energy!Miss Purple
Miss Purple did not want to take a bath! She was not scared... just didn't want to be there so she kept trying to jump out! Wiggled during nail trimming... she would just rather be playing! During pictures she really wanted to look at my daughter who was taking the picture.... she is very human dependent. The minute I put her on the ground after her picture was taken she ran straight to my daughter....She loves her people! She is my vocal one.... she does cry when we leave the room because she just wants to be with us. I would put her near the top as far as energetic. She is not very mellow.... just plays and plays!!
Miss Purple did not want to take a bath! She was not scared... just didn't want to be there so she kept trying to jump out! Wiggled during nail trimming... she would just rather be playing! During pictures she really wanted to look at my daughter who was taking the picture.... she is very human dependent. The minute I put her on the ground after her picture was taken she ran straight to my daughter....She loves her people! She is my vocal one.... she does cry when we leave the room because she just wants to be with us. I would put her near the top as far as energetic. She is not very mellow.... just plays and plays!!6 Week Pictures - Red and Silver
Miss Red
Miss Red is very confident during her baths... Tail up...stayed pretty still. She is good while I trim her nails although she starts to get impatient when I get to her toenails. She kept trying to grab the towel when I was drying Miss Silver.... to play tug-of-war. She was very good during pictures. She is a happy puppy that is very confident... not shy at all. She is middle of the road as far as temperament. Not super mellow but not super active either.Miss Silver
Miss Silver was very good in the bath and when having her nails trimmed. She was also very good getting her picture taken. On the ground she followed my daughter all over the yard.... leaping up and down.... she loves to play but overall is still a very middle of the road puppy. She is not super mellow but not high energy either....just playful and happy! She and red are very similar in temperament.
Miss Silver was very good in the bath and when having her nails trimmed. She was also very good getting her picture taken. On the ground she followed my daughter all over the yard.... leaping up and down.... she loves to play but overall is still a very middle of the road puppy. She is not super mellow but not high energy either....just playful and happy! She and red are very similar in temperament.
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