GEORGIE UPDATE: We hope to breed Georgie this fall for her second and final litter.  Because of her age (6), we want to insure she is in tip top shape before sending her forth to be a mother once again.  Her mom, Courtney, has taken Georgie in for bloodwork and other test.  Once we have the results, we will decide if she gets to be a mommy or move into full retirement mode.  I will keep you posted on how she does.  Georgie is due in season any time now.  Hopefully she will hold off a few weeks until the results are in.

JAZZ UPDATE:  Jazz is in season, right on schedule.  I have been searching for a suitable stud and my plan was to breed her next summer.  However, now that the kids are in school we have to schedule all our vacations and travel during the summer.  I have decided to go ahead and breed her now to River and plan on a winter 2014 OR summer 2015 litter with a different stud.  River has the rare 6 haplotype, which I hope to propagate.  The coefficient of inbreeding between River and Jazz is acceptable, and their body type compliments each other in many ways.  I will be making a detailed post about this litter tomorrow.  For now, know she is in season and likely will be bred in the next week.  This will put puppies due in mid November, ready for homes in mid January.

HERE AT HOME: Now that my kids are in school I am able to train the dogs almost every day!  It is incredible and I can’t believe how much I can get done in those 7 hours.  If I could locate a training center that worked during they day, I would be set.  Sadly, training is limited here in central TX and indoor training centers even more so, cutting out training options for half the year.  On a good note, my house is cleaner than ever, my dogs are better behaved, my lawn is looking less neglected, my laundry… never mind, my laundry is NEVER completely done.   The point is, I should be able to do more training video’s like I did when Jazz was a puppy.  No excuses, barring health related issues.  River has been with us for about half a year now.  He doesn’t know a lot of the things Jazz does, so I am probably going to focus a bit on him for basic’s and move Jazz up to more advanced ideas and more off leash work.   Both have their Rally Novice titles, but Jazz is a far more solid on her stays, off leash work, and heeling.

I have finally entered Jazz in a CGC class.  The instructor has evaluated Jazz and told me she would pass tomorrow, but to go ahead with the class and use it for distractions.  Thankfully they are breeder friendly and do not mind a female in season within their training facility and classes.  They only asked that Jazz wear her panties, which is more than reasonable.  The instructor has offered to do some of the things I need to get Jazz ready for her Companion Dog title in AKC.  We did our first Stand for Exam and overall Jazz did great.  She didn’t move until the instructor walked past after touching her.  She thought “Oh I’m done, time to go to Mom”.  We also did long sits and downs, with out of sight sits and downs.  She rocked both.  I think it will be a useful class and she will get her CGC title at the end.  Win Win and way overdue.   I’ve also started her back on Agility jumps and direction training as best I can with my tiny yard.  I also need to restart her weave training.  With all the drama this year has held, I’m happy to be back doing what I love, spending time with my Poodles.

On a side note, I am doing a little grooming table make over.  My table top is pealing up and because I am so super handy, I decided to modify the entire table to better suit my needs.  Here is a short video showing my start.  No making fun of the scruffy Poodles!

As you saw in the video, I cut the legs off by 6 inches and put on new rubber feet for the legs.  Yesterday I bathed Jazz and blew out her coat.  I can safely say I LOVE it!!  Tomorrow I will be shaving her face, feet, and tail.  I’ll let you know how that goes.  I also need to remove the old top and glue down the new rubber mat after I put on the casters to make it a dolly.   I have not done that yet because I am having trouble finding a suitable edge to replace the plastic edge that is cracked.  I’ll keep searching the net.  Surely I will be able to find something of the required thickness and design to match my needs.

~Becky