I received this email from Tim (Tim Hosken MRCVS, Senior Partner, Alma Road Veterinary Hospital - Windsor) today:

"Dear Katie, if you are using homoeopathic nosodes there is no risk of shedding or interference with vaccination although they could cause an aggravation just like any remedy. Doesn't matter if you give them to one or all pups, ... Tim x"

... so, all pups started their course this evening. The course is one dose night and morning for three days then one dose a month for six months.

According to George Macleod (MRCVS, DVSM, Vet. FF Hom) in his book A veterinary Materia Medica and Clinical Repertory "... This provides a good level of protection after the first week which is subsequently re-inforced over the next few months."

So by his reckoning, the puppies should be adequately covered by next Friday.

Some really GREAT questions have just been posted to me and since all of you will probably come up with the same or similar ones, I'm sure the original poster won't mind me answering them here:

1. How should we keep him safe when travelling in the car once he is older? We have a box ready to collect him in but have been looking at the options for when he is a big boy and are not sure what to get as there seem to be a big range of harnesses and crates. I've always opted for a crate in the car. I've not used car harnesses, but those people who have are happy with them. However - a crate prevents the puppy from chewing up your car and a harness doesn't.
   
2. How often should we bath / nail clip / comb? (info online is all contradictory!) You bath when they're smelly, brush every day, comb right down to skin at least every week. Nails need clipping when you can hear your dog coming on a hard floor.
   
3. How often should he have his fur cut? (as above!) Very much depends on the coat. I clipped Hemione just once when it was really hot in her 2nd summer, but wouldn't bother to do it again. Most of this litter won't need clipping at all, ever.
   
4. Is it better to leave him loose in the kitchen or in his crate when we are out? Initially definately in the crate with the door closed. Preferably with something to do (like unstuff a kong). Your puppy shouldn't have to have the responsiblity of guarding the whole house when you're out - the crate is their security. Also, a puppy in a crate can't chew through cables etc - which might just kill him.
   
5. Could you recommend some smelly stuff to put on chair legs to stop him chewing? A liberal spray of Surgical Spirit ususally does the trick here... which reminds me, I'll be needing some too.
   
6. Are there particular homeopathic remedies you would recommend we bought? I have the homeopathic first aid kit from Helios - comes with a handy booklet and the remedies work just as well for the four legged kids as they do for the two legged ones!
   
7. Are you against micro-chipping? No, all my dogs are done. And the Cats. BUT, don't rely on that to get your dog returned to you - it still MUST wear a collar in public with a tag with some ID on it. I break the law every time I take my dogs out as their tags just have Canine Film Academy on one side and my MOBILE telephone number on the other. I figured if any of them ever did go missing they'd I'd be out looking for them and wouldn't want to miss the call...
   
8. Do Pet Plan still refuse to insure non vaccinated dogs? If so, could you recommend an insurer who will accept him? I need to check this for you (or perhaps someone else could make a call and let me know?) As far as I'm aware they will cover EVERYTHING EXCEPT the diseases you could have vaccinated for.
   
9. Should we use Verm-X to worm him in 19 days, or use the other brands you mentioned for the next two treatments? (I wasn’t quite clear from your blog.) Once he has been done in nineteen days and then again in nineteen days, how often should we worm him? They've had two of the three doses they need, one Milbemax (wouldn't go there again), one Panacure and the next and last one I'll be giving Isla will most probably be Droncit. After that she'll get a monthly dose of Verm-X just like the other dogs.
   
10. Do you use any form of flea treatment? If so, could you recommend some? Yes, certainly. Garlic. I use lazy garlic or garlic puree (bought in tubes for cooking) and I add it to their patty meal. If you sniff your dog's feet and you can't smell garlic (its the only place a dog can sweat) then you're not giving enough. Garlic repels fleas and ticks.
    
11. Are there particular areas or situations we should avoid until he is 16 weeks? You've chosen the non vaccination route, so you'll want to be carrying your puppy into your local parks. I carry them until I'm well past the "infected" areas - ie where every dog has relieved itself when it enters the park. When the puppy is so big I can't carry her that far, I figure she's old enough to cope - and I've not been wrong so far. I give one dose of the nosodes every three days until she stops testing for it. I can help you with this, but you've got an expert on hand in the family who is much more qualified in this field (for everyone whose totally mystified by all this, go and look up kinesiology surrogate muscle testing) than I am so do go on his advice. Places to avoid: (until they're about 14 -16 weeks) Dog Shows, any heavily used park that's small. Take him to the pub instead - you'll all have more fun! And on that note, I'm off to bed before I fall over.
    

Oops - I've been a bit dim.

On Sunday 28th (This Sunday) I'm the official photographer at the Cranbourne Annual Companion Dog Show - so I'm afraid I won't be here. Steve is going to have to cope with both kids and 8 puppies (welcome to my world!!) LOLOLOL. This is a SERIOUSLY good day out for dog lovers and well worth a visit if you can get there (its held in Warfield, near Bracknell, Berkshire) T: 01344 883955 for further info and directions.

If you would like to visit on Saturday 27th I'm free after 11.30am, I'd love to see you but please ring me to let me know what time you're coming!

Iggle Piggle (Troy) is the first puppy to go and he's leaving at 10.30. Waterproof mascara has been bought in anticipation...

As the puppies start to leave I'm handing this blog over to you and setting you all up as authors so that each Barleors puppy owner (past and present) can post on it. That way we'll all get to keep in touch with each other and see what the other puppies / dogs are up to. If you've not yet received an invite to become an author on this blog and you would like to do so, please drop me an email: katie@barleors-labradoodles.co.uk and I'll add you to the list.

Day 53

Iggle Piggle (Troy) and Isla went for a jaunt today. We went to visit Vanessa's house so I could cast my beady eye over her fencing and see if she'd missed anything while puppy proofing her home. (Which she hadn't).

Troy and Isla arriving in the crate in the back of my van. This picture prompted me to come straight home and CLEAN IT!!!

After investigating the kitchen


both puppies came outside

where they had a wonderful romp on the lawn

Which is absolutely immaculate (like the rest of the house)

... and I discovered that I had secretly bred a labradonkey!

A very happy Troy in his new garden with his new mummy, Vanessa.

Troy doesn't actually leave here until Saturday, so he and Isla came back home and have slept like logs ever since!

I've wormed them all today with Panacur. So they'll need worming again in 19 days and again 19 days after that to be sure that they are 100% clear. As I'm using a commercial veterinary prescribed wormer (which I loathe, but have to use to be Labradoodle Association CoP Compliant) I use a different preparation every time I worm to be sure that I'm clearing out all of the little buggers - not leaving the Milbemax-resistant or Panacur-resistant or Droncit-resistant ones behind to recolonise the dog. However, at the end of this course - I would very strongly recommend that you take a look at Verm-X for your dogs and get your order in now! I use the liquid because I've got quite a few dogs and it works out more economical that way... but if I had just one puppy I'd buy the treats instead.

The puppies have been cut down to 4 meals a day. Three of the meals are "bone" meals, the 4th being the meal containing all their supplements, offal, etc. I feed somewhere between 6 and 8 in the morning, 2nd feed somewhere between 11 and 1, 3rd feed between 3 and 5 and the last feed between 7 and 9pm. I am DELIBERATELY NOT feeding at the same time each day. I don't want these puppies stressing out because its 5pm and there's no tea on the table!

Vanessa was asking about toys - a bored puppy rapidly becomes a destructive puppy and they can do phenominal amounts of damage to the garden in a few short hours (very long and tedious to the pup though). So do have a look at Kongs and how to stuff them - this is a good way to feed the "patty" meal. And remember, you can also freeze them to make them last longer. A well stuffed Kong (or similar) could buy you several hours of totally contented puppy!

Day 52 - Puppy Testing Day...

As close to Day 49 as is possible, I use Jack and Wendy Volhard's Temperament Test to check that each puppy is suited to the home that it is allocated to.

Tester: Sheila Hamilton Andrews (MSc)
Scorer: Lesley Goldstein

... and the scores were ...

Red Neck / Amarelo Indy (Monty) Average Score: 2.8
Red Shoulder / Ivory Ice (Dennis) Average Score: 3.7
Green Middle / Ikofo Ice Cream (DFTD) Average Score: 4.2
Green Hip / Iggle Piggle (Troy) Average Score: 2.4
Silver Neck / Isobel (Isobel) Average Score: 2.6
Green Shoulder / Indian Imp (Monty) Average Score: 2.7
Red Middle / Golden Ingot (Cody) Average Score: 3.3
Silver Middle / Isla Sky (Isla) Average Score: 2

Interpreting the Scores

• Mostly 1's A puppy that consistently scores a 1 in the temperament section of the test is an extremely dominant, aggressive puppy who can easily be provoked to bite. His dominant nature will attempt to resist human leadership, thus requiring only the most experienced of handlers. This puppy is a poor choice for most individuals and will do best in a working situation as a guard or police dog.

• Mostly 2's This pup is dominant and self-assured. He can be provoked to bite; however he readily accepts human leadership that is firm, consistent and knowledgeable. This is not a dog for a tentative, indecisive individual. In the right hands, he has the potential to become a fine working or show dog and could fit into an adult household, provided the owners know what they are doing.

• Mostly 3's This pup is outgoing and friendly and will adjust well in situations in which he receives regular training and exercise. He has a flexible temperament that adapts well to different types of environment, provided he is handled correctly. May be too much dog for a family with small children or an elderly couple who are sedentary.

• Mostly 4's A pup that scores a majority of 4's is an easily controlled, adaptable puppy whose submissive nature will make him continually look to his master for leadership. This pup is easy to train, reliable with kids, and, though he lacks self-confidence, makes a high-quality family pet. He is usually less outgoing than a pup scoring in the 3's, but his demeanor is gentle and affectionate.

• Mostly 5's This is a pup who is extremely submissive and lacking in self-confidence. He bonds very closely with his owner and requires regular companionship and encouragement to bring him out of himself. If handled incorrectly, this pup will grow up very shy and fearful. For this reason, he will do best in a predictable, structured lifestyle with owners who are patient and not overly demanding, such as an elderly couple.

• Mostly 6's A puppy that scores 6 consistently is independent and uninterested in people. He will mature into a dog who is not demonstrably affectionate and who has a low need for human companionship. In general, it is rare to see properly socialized pups test this way; however there are several breeds that have been bred for specific tasks (such as basenjis, hounds, and some northern breeds) which can exhibit this level of independence. To perform as intended, these dogs require a singularity of purpose that is not compromised by strong attachments to their owner.

Vaccinations?

If you are NOT intending to follow the conventional vaccination route would you be kind enough to drop me an e-mail ASAP? The puppies are due for their first dose of homeopathic nosodes now - so its make your mind up time!

Ikofo's turn to visit Cheapside School today - here he is with Sue, the Bursar.

Week 7 Rogues Gallery

We had a very busy day yesterday - Mat and Leah, Jen and Mat, James, John and Jayne all came to play with their puppies. And boy, was I grateful for the help! Jayne and I managed to weigh each puppy and do their nails and with John passing the puppies out of their pen it made light work of an otherwise time consuming affair!

This week's photography was also very much a Group Effort. Again though, huge thanks must go to Jayne as she did the bulk of chasing puppies around the garden and luring them with liver cake into various positions, which she achieved with some success, as you will see.

But first...

This picture is especially for Susan - who wanted to see more of her two legged kids in the photos! Daisy was exceptionally "helpful" yesterday, and here she is "rearranging" Isla (under careful supervision of course!). She's going to make a VERY useful little trainer/handler in a year or two's time...

Ice (Dennis) weighed in at 5 Kilos.

Ikofo (Dogs For The Disabled) 6.5 Kilos

Isobel (Isobel) 5 Kilos

Isla (Isla) 5.5 Kilos

Ingot (Cody) 7 Kilos (Hayley - we rechecked, twice).

Indy (Monty) 6 Kilos


Imp (Monty) 6.5 Kilos (this is going to be fun on our group walks - two "Montys")

... and finally ... Imp (Monty) and his half sister (and new companion) Molly...

Day 46

What a BUSY day!

All eight puppies had a full bath and blow dry this morning.

Here is Ikofo (Dogs for the Disabled) enjoying his turn. Every puppy had its nails done with the big-boy's guillotine clippers today too.

I had to drop a cake off at the PTA Royal Procession Tent at 10.30am, so I put Ikofo in the van for his first ride...

... with his mum, Flossy.

Prince Charles noticed Flossy during the Royal Procession in Watersplash Lane. That many horses clattering past is very noisy - too much for the puppies I think. I'll get knowls to bring her horse over - one at a time will be better to start with...


The Queen also noticed Flossy!

Iggle Piggle was carried down to school to pick up Jenson this afternoon. Here he is in the arms of Jenson's teacher, being admired by children and their parents. The kids are also very noisy, but the puppies are already very used to that sort of noise!!!

Steve was working from home again today so the puppies were treated to a Router, industrial vacuum cleaner, an electric plane and power drills. They're utterly BOMB proof now...

Day 45



Today was the first day of Royal Ascot so from 10am this morning til 2pm we've had a swarm of helicopters just about skimming the trees above our garden. As this didn't seem to phase the puppies at all, we also started habituation to power tools and as you can see from the video above, none of the puppies seem too bothered by circular saws or sanding machines. So, no excuses when you get your new puppy home... You CAN still do the DIY!

I carried Isla down to Jenson's school to pick him up and Golden Ingot (Cody) was carried up the road to the post box to post Hayley and Mark's BARF Diet book to them. He also went into the hairdressers where he was hugely admired by several clients.

Puppies, like toddlers, just CRASH when they're done playing - in the funniest positions sometimes.


Sheila Hamilton Andrews visited yesterday. She will be one of the puppy testers when the puppies have their Temperament Test. Sheila is the Chairman of the UK Registry of Canine Behaviourists (UKRCB), a professional body of canine behavioural therapists with members practicing throughout Great Britain and a select number of international members. Membership is open to practising canine behavioural advisors who meet the criteria and high standards set by the UKRCB.

So cute it deserved a second photograph!

Vanessa and Iggle Piggle, with Archie in the background. Archie is one of the 2007 puppies and he came to visit his half brothers and sisters yesterday too. (It was quite a full house!)

Archie in our back garden yesterday.

Rogues Gallery, Week 6

This week was a bit of a challenge and once again I have to thank Jayne and her family for helping me to photograph what can only be described as Exocet Missiles this week.

The puppies continue to grow and thrive - everyone had put on at least 700 grams at this week's weigh in and one little piggy had put on 900!

I started clicker training the puppies last night. They have to be brought into the house one at a time to do this. If the remaining puppies can hear the clicker they go mental!!! I'm just luring sits and downs. I'll try and film one of the sessions today and put it up here tomorrow.

Jen and Matt's Puppy

Our puppy

Mark and Hayley's Puppy

Leah and Matt's Puppy

Jayne, John and James's Puppy

This Puppy has been donated to Dogs For The Disabled

Vanessa Dib's Puppy

??? May have news later today about Ice... (watch this space!)

Barleors Puppy Owners Shopping List

I have ordered The Barf Diet for the new Puppy Owners already, with a bit of luck it will be here by the weekend so everyone who is visiting will be able to pick it up. I'll post copies on to those that can't be here so you've all got a good headstart on what you'll need to buy in for your puppies diets.

With regards to vaccination and general health, you really should all read Shock to the System by Catherine O'Driscoll.

For those wanting more in depth info on both the above subjects, you'll need my bible: The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog by Jack and Wendy Volhard.

The best all round training book I can find (books are easier than DVDs in my opinion) is written by my good friend Carolyn Menteith; The Haynes Dog Manual Its not too heavy going and has bags of really good sensible advice and excellent photography. Some of the subjects might even look a wee bit familiar!!

For crates, look no further than Dog Health / Stock Nutrition on ebay. Hermione's crate is 28"x42", with a divider in it which for the extra fiver was well worth the money. Beware of imitations and cheap crates - they don't last... believe me, I've tried them all and this guy provides great value for money. I see he also now does Car Crates - so look at his models/prices before going directly to Barjo Engineering (who are, without a doubt the Rolls Royce of Bespoke Car Crates).

With regards to house training, I've been very VERY successful using the Sanvic Puppy Trainer Starter Kit. The best price by miles was to be found at Canine Concepts. Your puppy is used to the large size (60cm x 45cm).

For your clicker training equipment look no further than Training Lines. I've used them for years and they always have the most up to date stuff at good prices.

I'm now being picked to death by the kids, Steve and dogs - really can't concentrate on this any more now ... the shopping list is NOT yet complete but this should keep you going!

I've just GOT to brag about this ... this is the puppy pen at 6am this morning, just after the pups had gone outside. Lots of wee, but for the 5th DAY RUNNING, no poo!

As we get closer to the time when the puppies will be ready to go to their new homes, I'd like to remind everyone who has purchased a puppy that I need to have an article of clothing (usually a teeshirt) that you have impregnated with your scent. The easiest way of doing this is to wear the teeshirt in bed, have the kiddies sleep on it too ... then send it to me or bring it over on your next visit.

These teeshirts will be secured to the fencing on the the puppies day-pen so that they can all be come utterly familiar with your scent. On the day that you take your little bundle home, the same teeshirt will become the puppy's "comforter", as it will now be (heavily) impregnated with the smells of its litter mates. Please, don't choose something you'd ever like to wear again, and if its distinctive in colour or pattern, so much the better - loads of un-named white teeshirts can be difficult to identify once the puppies have had their way with them!

If you would like a DVD of all the photos I have taken (Hayley!!) since the puppies were born, just let me know and I'll include it in your puppy pack.

Finally, Isobel now has a new family to go to; Ice and Iggle Piggle have interested parties who will be letting me know their decisions tomorrow morning.

Day 37

Rob Harris from Dogs for the Disabled came over today and this is the puppy he picked - Barleors Ikofo Ice Cream is his chosen puppy and he will be leaving us on the 30th June to start his socialisation programme.

The Rogues Gallery for Week 5

Special thanks to Jayne West who handled all the puppies for me today - it really IS a two man job now!