Welcome Maverick and Goose

9 months old Maverick and Goose came for a sleep over. Two very happy little puppies.  These two puppies are very well behaved. It's easy to see that mom and dad are spending lots of time teaching them.  They spent the first day just checking things out and covered the whole yard in no time flat. They reunited with Princess MollyDawg and Lady May with a friendly, "Oh! Hi! I know you!" They enjoyed all the corners and nooks for them to explore and never showed any boredom at all.

Still on long lines

Like all new comers Goose and Maverick had to wear a long line for safety for awhile.  It's important to know they have 100% recall with us, before I let them move over to a short lead and onto freedom. At home, with mom and dad, they may already have it, but here at Royal K9 Korner we have to ensure they come on first call. We want to build their trust and confidence while in our care.  It's a safety factor we insist on.
It wasn't long before Maverick shed his long line and moved through to a short lead then a collar and  freedom. Even though Goose seemed a little more cautious about coming to strangers, he was also onto a short lead and then to freedom on the very first day.

On short lead - Checkin' out the toys and enjoying the shade.

We kept their halters on for awhile before we switched out to a collar only. The halters seemed to limit their play and they sure had energy to burn. Puppies are so much fun to watch! 

Princess MollyDawg keeps a good lid on how energetic they get. She puts a quick halt to it when she deems them too rowdy. We let her determine that for the first little while.

It didn't take long for her to decide she was too tired for this and the old woman asked to go to bed. I'm sure Maverick and Goose were well pleased with that call. Now they could get their zoomies out full bore!

Goose wasted no time in finding the pool and stepping right in for a lay down. Of course I had no camera at the time so I missed that opportunity. It certainly provided a good belly laugh for us though.
They loved romping around and between the obstacles for their catch me if you can game of tag.

 They continued to give us giggles all day. I opened gates to each yard section as I followed behind them. They'd tootle off through and I closed the gate behind. I'd come around a corner and scan the next section of yard for them. Hmmmm ... where the heck are they? Suddenly my raspberry bushes rustled and voila! Found 'em. lol Oh how I laughed!  It didn't take them long at all to find the raspberries!  Now I have a "Mylu Strawberry Monster" and two little raspberry monsters lol 

Freedom for Goose: "These are for us, right Lady?!"

After a great day of checking out all the interesting "stuff"  Goose decided he'd seen it all and found the crate at the top of the stairs for a nice cool rest.  Maverick joined him for a short while but soon left. I'm thinking there was just too much more for him to discover. 

Maverick; "This is boring!" 

Goose spent alot of his time relaxing, cozied on the porch. The gate was opened and he could come down the stairs at any time he wanted. We tried to encourage him to come play with us but he'd much rather stay in the shade on the big fluffy mat.

 

When we finally coaxed him down he found his brother and joined him for another lay down.

Goose; "Hey lady? Can you tell him to push over please?"

Since they were both out and about again we decided to introduce the Cookie Waiting room to them. You can check out the video of it in our Facebook videos album at this link.
https://www.facebook.com/K9KornerDaycare/videos/1767024576708944/

There was no hesitation in entering and sitting down on the mat. Do you s'pose cookies are in their repertoire of learning already? I have no doubt!  The day seemed to pass quickly with two around and before we knew it, it was dinner and house relaxing time. 

We left our porch door open for them and allowed them to enter as they chose.  Maverick of course was the first to decide inside had great toys. Goose stayed in his favorite porch crate for awhile but entered shortly after.

"Can I stay outdoors for awhile please lady?" 

Oh goodies more toys!

Is it safe here?

 Bedtime was an absolute easy peasy go to sleep time. Maverick chose his mat and Goose nestled in beside him. That was of course until he looked around and figured there would be more room if he shifted over to the open crate. They slept all night without a peep. They only woke for morning piddle time when Lady May and Princess MollyDawg woke. 

Sleep well little ones. See you tomorrow morning

A Full Long Weekend

Our Canada Day weekend began on June 28th this year. Tika and Lil Molly led the way for Muffin and Mylu and our darling furless grandchildren. Yes it was full around the house and yards at Royal K9 Korner. We ended up having a wonderful time with everyone tolerating the commotion. Tika and Lil Molly are now able to be together off leash in the yards. What a difference it makes not tripping over long lines.

I was anticipating a full house and was ready with our New Cookie Waiting Room. It may look like its a time out pen. Well, it's NOT! It's a special room set aside for allowing any dogs who need a special treat.  Yes, a Cookie Waiting Room. You can bet your bottom dollar the dogs know what it means to be in that room and actually walk in and wait! Did I have to train that behaviour?
Well, of course I did! Dogs are too smart to just walk in and wait for cookies in what otherwise looks like a time out pen. Right? Right!   Tika was a necessary unscheduled visit and would only be here for two days. She will get her Cookie Waiting Room training at a later day.

Lil Molly: So, your mommy says,
"If we come in here, she will ALWAYS come to us with cookies.
That's pretty cool eh?"

We spent a few days in advance walking in and out and staying on the mat getting reward after reward every hour or so. The door stayed open at all times. My goal was by the end of day three, at least Princess MollyDawg would be heading straight to the waiting room each time she went outside.  Was it successful? Okay well not really. BUT she was entering the room on her own and sitting on the mat. I immediately followed with praise and treats and the others followed soon after. We're still in learning mode with "The Room" and not all dogs have seen it yet.

Muffin: "Are you sure I get cookies if I'm in here?"
Princess MollyDawg: "Oh yes you'll see. Mommy's on her way!"

By the time the others arrived we had to put the training aside and concentrate on having fun and keeping everyone safe. When Tika went home, Mylu arrived. This was the first visit for lil Molly and Mylu together.  Lil Molly was not scheduled to be here this weekend but had an extended visit due to a family emergency.  We weren't able to do proper introductions between the girls so we kept them separate to avoid possible altercations when my eyes could not be on them. We had our two grandchildren visit at the same time, and of course that meant their safety came first. Even though we know these dogs are children friendly we still believe in avoiding any possible unacceptable behaviours. Dogs can become protective of children and more than one dog can be... well . . . It goes without saying. I'm sure you understand.   Our motto - "Your paws are safe with us!" Even furless paws.  Until all dogs have met and fully accepted each other, temporarily being behind a gate ensures safety.  Some dogs find it difficult to remain calm around children and we refuse to put either at risk.

Mylu: "But I'm calm and there's children here and I LOVE CHILDREN! . . .
and who is the other dog I see and smell?"

I know Mylu, just not right now and not today.  You will have an opportunity to truly meet "the other dog" when it is safer and I can give my full attention.

Is it time to come out yet?

It was a long, long weekend and we know the dogs are all happy to be heading back home now. There's always lots to smell and do here at Royal K9 Korner but nothing beats being home with mom and dad.
Thanks for visiting us. Hope you come back soon.
Next weekend we have two new comers for a sleep over. 9 month old Rhodesian Ridge-back cross, Goose (on the left:) and his brother Maverick. They came for a meet and greet and we can't wait to welcome them back!

Goose: "Are you really going to leave us here over night mommy?"
Maverick: "But you'll come back soon, right mommy?"

You'll be okay buddies and I promise you'll have lots of fun. 

See you soon!