Today the Avenger Litter started eating in crates and crate conditioning. We keep all experiences in the crate positive. Creating a positive conditioned emotional response is important to crate conditioning and training. We will also begin exchanges to prevent resource guarding. 😀 So much to do with less than 3 weeks left.

Once again Mother Nature has thrown us for a loop and we are having another “first” for us. We believe Winter is in the second phase of a split heat. This is absolutely a learning moment and I have researched and contacted a breeder friend with more experience. We are going to keep an eye on Reign and Millie as Winter coming into heat can pull them in and they can possibly sync back up. If this is in fact a fertile heat and Tyrion shows interest we will proceed with breeding as we have a nice waiting list started. Otherwise we will wait it out and see how her cycle regulates and proceed from there. At this time he is showing little interest, but that can change once she starts ovulating.

“On the first stage, the bitch will naturally attract male dogs and you will usually see vaginal bleeding and vulvar swelling. Up until now, it seems like a very normal heat. The problem is that the female does not move to the normal oestrus phase but instead goes out of heat without being receptive and ready for breeding. The second and final phase of the cycle will roughly take place 2 weeks to 3 months later. Most times it happens, no medication will be given or required and the upcoming cycle will retain the normal schedule.” breedingbusiness.com/abnormal-heat-in-dogs

So this is the first time I have supplemented a puppy just to make sure he gets enough and to help momma out a bit. Fury is our runt. I’m not a fan of that term so let’s just say he’s the little guy. Born strong just half the size of his litter mates. He seems to be doing great, but because his big brothers get a bit pushy at the milk bar we are offering him a bottle and giving him one on on one with momma. 😀 I will try to get one week photos taken and uploaded this weekend.

This is the room and environment the puppies are in. It is the same room we have used for the last several years. (It is one of the rooms we have not remodeled yet.) It is upstairs so it is secluded from the pack, and right next to my master bedroom.

To our complete surprise Amara gave birth to eight beautiful babies yesterday (April 9th). What we thought was a false pregnancy was the real deal. On Monday we noticed a rounder tummy, by Tues we felt movement. Never witnessing a tie (breeding) we could only guess as to when she was due. She seemed to be further along then the dates I had down. Which means she probably came into heat slightly before I noticed spotting. Wednesday she had full breakfast and dinner, she was acting normal, there is even a photo of her out with the pack posted that day. I checked in on her before I went to bed that night and she was panting and following me when I tried to leave. I stayed with her all night. Thursday morning I let the rest of the pack outside, fed them breakfast, came upstairs to offer Amara breakfast and the first puppy was already born. Based on her size and fetal movement, I guessed 3-4 puppies. I literally saw and felt them coming down from inside her rib cage. She had 8, (seven males,one female) several are on the small side with the smallest being 9.9oz. At this time all are nursing and appear to be doing well.

I would like to take this time to say I take breeding very seriously and this was most certainly a shock. In early January I bought plane tickets for myself, my husband and my youngest to go to California for a week long vacation at the end of May going into June. Because of this it was important for us to prevent pregnancy and skip breeding the girls on this cycle. My older two children were going to stay with the pack while we were gone and caring for puppies on top of that would be too much to ask. I was also planning on setting up puppy training and wanted to give that all my attention. So the plan was NO spring puppies. I thought I took every precaution to avoid pregnancy. My dogs are only unsupervised when I am not home and even then most of them are crated. The only male Amara was around was Tyrion. I can only assume he found a way to get to her though the crate when I was not home. That does make this breeding, line breeding (back breeding).

As you may already know I posted early on that we would be putting our fall litters on hold due to COVID19. It didn’t seem right to want to breed puppies when we are in the middle of a pandemic and economic crisis. Another reason having puppies at this time was NOT what I wanted. But as I am continually reminded nature/life really doesn’t care about our plans. Our goal now is finding these babies the best companion/pet homes possible. Because we know this can be hard during these trying times the puppies will be sold at a reduced cost and without papers. The contract will remain the same, raised with puppy culture (we put in the work to raise our puppies with the best foundation) vet checked, (fecal test,check up and vaccinations), health and genetic guarantee, spay/neuter contract, etc. As a Puppy Start Right Instructor (trainer) I can also offer you assistance with puppy training, including virtual classes (in person classes are on hold due to covid19). I will post photos and info once I am sure ALL puppies are gaining weight and thriving.