092709

The ongoing photo journal of Katoba Dobermans' 2009 "Miss & Mister" Litter ~ DPCA Futurity Nominated for 2010

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Today's featured puppy:
Katoba's Mister Big

Today's Puppy Topic: WEATHER
Wow ... I am thankful for so many things lately, but, as for this continued GORGEOUS Fall weather, I have only two words: Yay, God !
Morning after morning, the sun is out from dawn to dusk. The puppies have gotten so much great "yard time" ... they are confident even when they appear chilled to the
bone have to be bribed to come inside from their grassy playing and chasing and tugging. Luckily, when it is the "big dogs" time to take over the yard, the pups are still able
to stay outside ~ in the "Puppy Park" ~ with their toys and agility equipment (which they are truly outgrowing again).
Weather just does NOT get any better than this for puppies, though - not too hot, just wonderfully warm during the day.
Autumn season in Washington State this year is providing sunrises and sunsets that give the pups just enough 'chilly' time to continue building the ability to acclimate.
As it gets closer to "Homecoming Day" for these puppies, (three-"ish" weeks), I have been asked LOTS of questions, lately, about "weather and the puppies".
I LOVE and WELCOME questions by my families, especially those they think of BEFORE the pup goes home. To cover this subject with one blanket response,
I will share some of my feelings on weather, and exposure, and the puppies ... and what I work very hard to instill in them with development of the bio-sensory responses:
I believe all puppies need to be properly prepared and exposed to a variety of environments, people, situations, foods, sounds, toys, animals, times of day, stresses,
challenges, and amongst other things ... WEATHER. As stated earlier, Fall/Autumn is upon us ... and this year, we have been blessed. Nevertheless, our 'winter fun' is just
around the corner. The blazing heat of the summer has recently passed. They all enjoyed the heat of summer, (we had some HOT days this year), and some of these babes
will go to very hot areas of the USA. PRECAUTIONS are key in ANY weather. I left the canopies up over the patio, giving cover to the "Puppy Park". I want the pups to be
able to play while adjusting to heat, BUT I would not want them exposed to the direct hot sun. I had fans set up in the dog room for air movement when it was very hot, (AC is
not as prevalent here as it is say, down south). Since I do not have covered runs, the canopies have been an awesome idea for both very hot sun, as well as in times of
heavier rain. Ah, yes, the rain ... we live in and love the Pacific Northwest - but, it comes with a price, as all the plush beautiful foliage and topography is dependant on
WATER! This year the pups actually experienced a few days of flooding in the back year - washing away much of the grass and creating lots of muddy mess. YES, the
puppies DID go out in the MUD - why not? They had a GREAT time getting filthy and then experience baths! There is usually always a cloud cover here, and it rains more
often than not. Therefore, I start exposing ALL puppies to the rain VERY early on - Lord knows, there has ALWAYS been the opportunity. These babes are no different -
they have all played and pottied and eaten and trained in the rain; as well as during times of chilly air or hardy wind, blazing heat, (we had several days of consistent 100+
degrees), and just plain beautiful days as well. Starting as soon as they can walk in a solid manner, going outside in different conditions allowed for them to become
confident in most any climate. Timelines of exposure are limited to age, tolerance, response, dietary changes, and any others changes that occur while exposed. For
instance, I would not have them out longer than for "potty time" if it were pouring down rain AND/or a heavy wind chill factor. Nor would I make them stay uncovered in the
heat of the day at 90 degrees. During times of weaning when they were first feeding boney grind for breakfast and lunches, I would not have them out in the cold for too
long, etc. Those are "no-brainers". With this litter, I regret to say that the only thing I probably won't be able to expose them to is SNOW. There just ISN'T any foreseen even
though we do not live too far from Mt. Rainier, (guess that means my water bill will go up next year - haha). My first litter, (the "Roller" babies), LOVED the snow as it fell early
that year, (late October/early November), which was into potty training time. It was GREAT fun. We got 3 days of a light snow with the last litter, (the "Emerald Dozen"), when
they were quite young, with one strange Spring falling, and all of them seemed to really enjoy themselves covered in white wet fluff. Again, because of their age, the
exposure was minimal. Always keep in mind that each puppy is an individual, and some are more tolerant than others, each has different likes and dislikes. They do not have
to like it, but they do have to "do" it and work into a smooth and speedy recovery from and weather stresses. That said, I will offer that IF each pup is given the samee
continued INTERACTIVE patterns in all types of weather, they will continue to be tolerant MOST any weather condition they are exposed to.
I do hope all the families with "Miss & Mister" pups will continue as they have started out - and remember, new moms and dads ...
... this part is all about YOU. Do not caudal or baby them, but DO be supportive and excited about all weather types while you are out there with them -
yes I said "OUT THERE WITH THEM". at least while they are puppies!!! So, moms and dads ... suck it up, and GO OUTSIDE with your dogs ...
... rain, shine, wind, snow, cold or hot, muggy or not. You do not own parakeets, you own DOBERMANS :).
If YOU won't go out in it, WHY should they?? If you don't want to do what a Doberman (especially a puppy), needs to do, then don't have a Doberman!!
Sound harsh? Not as harsh as being the puppy who is 'in it alone'.
While canine exposure-abuse should never be tolerated ... neither should refusal to get out there a BE with your dog - experience what he or she does - BE WITH THEM. It
is my belief ... rather, it is my very strong opinion ... that these creatures are living, breathing, family members - NOT livestock, NOT toys ... they are "people in dogs suits".
You would never tell your toddler to go off and learn on their own ... you GO WITH THEM. Same with your puppy. In the case of almost ALL adult dogs I have bred and
placed, I know of only ONE who won't go out in the cold and rain, (good thing they do not get snow where he loves!!), to potty OR play. It is believed that this is a direct result
of the dog being left alone and crated FAR too long as a newly placed puppy, developing issues to begin with, then being sent outside in bad weather ALONE and WITHOUT
continued involvement from the owner, and expected to tolerate whatever came about. This is NOT fair to a puppy and it RUINS so much of what was done with that puppy
early on. STAY CONSISTENT with what the puppy was exposed to and HOW he/she was exposed, and you will find your puppy will retain the weather [and all other areas of]
confidence that he/she learned to develop through weeks/months of work, prior to placement. Why would you want to interrupt the puppies solid development?

Here are some suggestions regarding weather issues and your pups/dogs-to-be, (remembering that your dog is virtually "naked" at all times):
In the cold ~ If they will be out for any length of time in the snow, (more than a quick "tinkle" or a wlak around the block: protect their feet AND have them wear a warm-coat
to prevent frostbite & hypothermia. In the heat ~ don't over-expose them to direct sunlight, always have a cool wet-coat ready, (I prefer Wetcoats by Desiree Mills), and a
neck bandana soaked in cool water, and ALWAYS have sunscreen on them - especially the red Dobermans!!! In a lightening storm ~ GET & KEEP THEM INSIDE!!!
Thunder ~ many dogs are a bit sound sensitive - remember that your Dobermans hear at least 600 times the level that we do. That said, do NOT baby the dog as it only
accentuates the reaction to the UNSEEN sound. Thunderstorms, booming stereos, gunshots, fireworks, sometimes even yelling or loud harsh voice, etc. can be times of
over-stress for any dog. in these cases ... IF and ONLY IF the dog has no other health issues ... I suggest four drops of "Bach's Rescue Remedy" (depending on weight of
dog and length of situation), and provide the dogs their comfort zone, (ie: his/her crate or cozie kennel, ) !!! In the rain ~ Dobermans do not need protection from the rain - I
find rain coats to redundant since you should already have a warm coat. Good luck getting a DIGNIFIED dog to potty while wearing a rain coat ... sheesh. Again, if you are
not willing to go out in "it" - whatever "it" is that day, then why should they? If YOU get to potty inside the constant climate of your house ... why shouldn't they?? Now, I am
NOT suggesting YOU go potty out in your yard ... but, surely you get the message. IN ALL CASES: ALWAYS provide LOTS of fresh water to your dog(s) while in ANY climate
- the cold can dehydrate just as fast as the heat.
"Snow" requires extra canine precautions, just as it does for humans ... but, it's still just beautiful frozen "rain".
"Rain" is only water ~ so, unless you are the 'Wicked Witch of the West' ... you are NOT going to melt. And, if you do melt ... that may explain a few things :)

WEIGHTS

Purple Collar BB      13.12 #
Pink Collar BB          13.0   #
Lt. Blue Collar BB    10.8   #
Orange Collar RB    12.14 #
Yellow Collar BB      12.13 #
Black Collar RD        13.15 #
Navy Collar BD         13.4 #
Red Collar RB           12.12 #
Green Collar BD       12.2   #

Always has to be one "bra thief" in every litter. How DO they find them??
Braun seemed quite pleased with himself, as he ran across the living room and plopped down on the dog bed with his trophy.
Hey, buddy ... that's my pink V.S. Angel bra - you are NOT killing THAT one!

"BRAUN"
has so many wonderful attributes, including the bold, wide open side gait he has displayed since ... well, since he first began to walk. He is such an impressive young
male all around ... but, it is a beautiful puppy image like this, that is truly great to see ... ... especially first thing this morning.