Dogmatique Standard Poodles

Week Eleven

Our summer litter is down to four beautiful boys ready to be placed in their new homes, and they are an absolute delight. Like the pups that have been placed and already gone to their new homes, these pups have the sweetest temperaments, and can't go for more than about 10 minutes on their own without running up for cuddles. As excited as they are to explore the world, they always need to know that there's someone close by to keep an eye on them. The only downside is that they are still growing like weeds, and it now takes two arms to hold a pup. This makes it harder for them to climb up for lap cuddles and face-kisses, but they keep trying!

Dark Green surveys his new domain.

The pups now have free run of the back yard (and we have a story about that, below). However, we've also had them up in the living room more the last few weeks, because of some rainy weather but also to continue to expose them to new things. Along with learning how to navigate our hardwood floors without slipping, the pups have had a chance to get up close and personal with our cat Lisa. We have two other cats as well, but they're not as fond of the big dogs as Lisa is. She can often be found sleeping curled up with Gwyn in a sunny spot in the living room or Scott's office.

Too cool for the puppy pen -- looking innocent a few days before the big break.

One of the most interesting things about a litter of pups is how they will all begin to do new things at the same time. Whether it was their first walking steps, their first experiments with real food, or their first times up and down stairs, it often takes one pup to master a new skill, after which the others will follow his lead. At 10 weeks, the pups all discovered their latest new thing -- how to climb up and over the 3-foot-high fence of the puppy run we built on the back lawn for them so they could explore the outside safely. We were planning on bringing them out into the whole yard and garden slowly over a few days, but they had other plans! We were taken by surprise the first time one decided to hook his little paws in the mesh and clamber over the top to jump to freedom. Once the others saw how it was done, there was no stopping them.

Chilling under the peach tree with a favorite flower pot.

Our yard is totally fenced, so the pups now have free run of things, but always with someone close by to keep an eye on them. They particularly love running under the peach and willow trees, and exploring the shrubs along the fence at the back of our flower garden. Now that she's not nursing anymore, Gwyn finally has her full energy back, and is making up for lost time by chasing her tennis ball as often as she can find someone to throw it. The pups love to chase her when she does, so they're getting lots of exercise themselves. Once in a while, she'll let them steal the ball from her for a short play before she takes it back. They also love to follow daddy Danté and their half-brother Raine around the yard, but the pups sometimes have a little too much energy for our big boys, who need to let them know with a bark or a growl that they've had enough.

Getting lost beneath the willow tree.

When the pups start to get tired out, they play by lying in wait in the grass and then pouncing on each other as they run by. Just like when they were younger, playing keep-away is still a big part of their day, but they play more often now with twigs, branches, Gwyn's tennis balls, and the occasional empty plastic flower pot than with cloths and chew ropes.

Tussling over one of mama Gwyn's tennis balls. Luckily the yard is full of spares.

Dogmatique's summer 2010 litter (from our dogs Danté and Gwyn) is here! From a healthy, happy litter of ten, we have pups available and ready to go to their new homes now. Our family-raised puppies are vet checked, microchipped, and will have had their first vaccinations. They are registered with the Canadian Kennel Club and have a lifetime of support from Dogmatique.