Happy New Year's and backdating on posts. Pups are 5 weeks old.

 12/31/2021 758am Breeder's Diary- I will back date posts. I am playing a lot of catch up. I have a lot of platforms. I have a facebook page and that is where I talk about the most. So let me catch up from my last post. The litter is 5 weeks old. This morning we started their panacur. That is their dewormer. So that 1 mil per 5 lbs for 3 days so we have started that. We have been going through a gallon of goat milk a day.  I will copy and paste things I wrote in the last 10 days I was going to put on this one post but too long.

12/30/21 pm posts

The rosettes? The ribbons Are NOT my dogs they are my classmates! I am beyond proud and completely jealous. I am proud to breed and I am personally creating my next titling dog, but look at my friends and by the way, these are my rescue friends and rescue dogs. They are my classmates and most definitely my friends. I opted not to go to not track back but oh my goodness, Lucy and Eda will be joining the fun. Jacquelyn Sternung and Joan Bastura and Spencer Sternung I am so proud of ya'll!! I really, really am. The litter is from tonight and was showing off orange collar's ears up, but pales in comparison to what my classmates did today!

This is my classmate's crazy dog Jazz. Joan and I are good friends and look at the size of that rosette. Man I am jealous but even more proud. 

Another my classmate. I didn't compete at Salty paws because I felt I was putting the litter at risk but another classmate of mine and we compete together.

Once you get past the intimidation of training and titling?  It because easy and addictive.

Orange collar's ears are up

Pups in the whelping room are mean to each other!

12/30/2021 So um, I renewed the wrong thing. I needed to renew GSDCA I am 1.5 years ahead on my USCA membership (United Schutzhund Clubs of America) good to 2023! and have to be reinstated for GSDCA. (German Shepherd Dog Club of America) been members for years, wrong renewal Janie. I knew I forgot something!

Oops! Wrong renewal! hahahha Thank God, I renew my CPA license on time! Too much CPE to forget!

I am also joining a local club soon.

12/27/2021 Went to Fast cat to help my friends Compete

 

12/27/2021 Breeders Diary- Back dated post. I went to fastcat this day 

This video is my trainer and I releasing my classmate's dog. He was so emphatic took two of us to release. When I got home, I immediately stomped on bleach paper towels and took off my shoes. 

I got in the house and immediately hit the showers. It is a dangerous game going to events and going home to pups weaning off of Mom. I could track disease home. So I opted not to compete this go around.

My beloved Edelweiss. I was doing a photo of Edelweiss wining her BCAT and a lure went behind her and photographer shot this. So I made a meme. 

Lucy wants in the room and she has a chicken leg in mouth.  She wants to regurgitate and give the litter the leg. Just like wolves in the wild. Mom goes hunt, eat all she can , keep meat in her mouth, give the litter the meat in her mouth and she will vomit the balance for them to eat. 

Christmas Post. Pups are 4 weeks old

 12/25/2021 333pm Breeder's diary - back dated post.  The pup we are keeping? Her registered name will be Medusa's Vendetta of Cerberus. Her called name will be Eda (would sound like etta). But copy and paste from xmas. Parents were dna'd. Titan is solid black a/a, and Lucy is aw/aw My friends are giggling about

Are These Saddlebacks???????? Not used to having them to even know! I have had two before in a litter. My Christmas gift is getting on of these two girls. but is it me? Or they going to be saddlebacks? This is pink and purple. Lot of tan on that chest. I have a feeling my girl might be a saddlebacks. I have only had saddlebacks one time but is it me? Or are those going to be "Rin-tin-tin" dogs? Either pink or purple and I know the owner of the other. But Debra Jones Baker merry xmas, but both girls? are looking like a black and tan, saddleback! I didn't see that come! One will be named Quilla and working on our called name. Volhards occur on Jan 8 or around that time!

Pink collar- is one female but you see the tan on the chest.? 

A Dream is just a dream. Sometimes? We are haunted by our love of past dogs.

 12/6/21 831pm- Breeder's Diary-  Day 7 pups are gaining weight fast and had to loosen collars more. they are getting fiesty. Yellow collar did well today. But they can't hear nor see until 2 weeks but gaining weight fast. I kid you not Lucy is eating 5lbs of chicken leg quarters liver, had her tums with cheese. ground beef. Shoveling her food but I want that first milk to be plentiful and she regained her physique. But Mom's first milk is everything to me. 

12/6/2021 502pm - Breeder's Diary- Let me preface, that I am the least superstitious ever. I live next to Cemetery and love my neighbors! Only ones I have. But last night had a dream Edelweiss was lying on the driveway and as I approached? I said, "Edelweiss!" She kept looking over to the creek. My Mom asked me how the pups were doing and I mentioned. I loved seeing her even if in a dream. I won't think anything of it aside from it was vivid. And I told my Mom, I loved seeing her even if in a dream. Many of our owners grieve and I am no exception. My husband took off work this morning and I went home early this afternoon. I have a lot of work to do until the end of the year and was surprised my boss follows me. I do love my job, by the way. Affords me my passion, he is a great boss. But he asked how the pups were doing and explain the q-tips. I explained pups can't hear nor see for weeks. I speculated that must be why the gestation period is so short. I talked to the owner of the other female. We only have two and her name will be "Quilla Zaporia Cerberus" Isn't that beautiful. Lucy, we are shoveling food. But all is well. But I suspect those who read this blog are "haunted" by former dogs. And that isn't superstition. We just miss them. This was my Edelweiss. I miss her, and was happy to see her. Even if it was only a dream. Our new pup will be her half sister but no dog is ever made twice. It is a grievance we must process. 

We made a tribute video to her and the outpouring of comfort was great, especially from the rescue community. I cared for the dog I didn't produce but they knew this one hurt. But a good idea how we raise our dogs and she was from our litter - Desdemona litter Beta-

Cerberus facebook page has a show your dog grande finale. Pups day 6 of Ens

Had to restart my computer but rosettes are addictive and when you get your first one? You are hooked. Lucy has 3 but has farm dog, rally novice in her too. Meaning she can get it was trained for it but miss competition. You get out of routine not going to training.  I love she has a litter but I miss not taking my girl to competitions she is ready for. these are for 3 dogs all my production but I was jealous not getting her a new one esp when she was ready for it. She can't title nursing. Why I only breed a bitch max 4 times in their life, after 2 and once a year. I want her to be a dog too!  

12/5/21 533pm Breeder's Diary- First the downside of breeding. Lucy was nursing and my classmates got the farm dog obedience title. Lucy was ready for that. Salty paws is a the end of the month. Lucy is ready for that. Lucy has three titles but we also were working on Rally Novice. I love having the litter but can wait for my girl to go back to training and competition. A picture of my classmates this Saturday. My Lucy couldn't go and could have got that.  I spend a lot of time at my trainer's and she is a vet. I even had Lucy Blessed at the blessing of the animals. I asked my husband for a customer dual crate for my honda pilot. My pup really can't compete before one years old but I promise will have cause to both Lucy and my Medusa pick of litter to competition. I will be taking Prima to Salty Paws. 

Day 6 of Early Neurological stimulation. Someone asked me what the qtips are about. We are also should do could surfaces. We are conditioning them out of an innate fear before their eyes open. Humans are born with two fears. Fear of falling and loud noises. I haven't researched the born fears of dogs but pretty sure those two are one of them. So BEFORE their eyes open we are getting them used to the sensation. When time comes for weaning , we will drop bowls and open unbrellas. (Conditioning them out of the fear of loud noises and also fireworks and thunderstorms.) the qtip is getting the dog used to being touched on the feet. If I were more ambitious I would use an electric tooth brush. I am using different platforms because different platforms . 

Emerald collar sable male did excellent tonight but folks remember I am training them (more like conditioning them out of a fear they are born with). When their eyes open? we stop. Again we are getting them used to the sensation of elevation before they can see they are in fact elevated. Weights are doing well. having to expand the collars on many. Weight gain we are def good on! Ill update the video as soon as youtube finishes uploading. Will post when my internet stops fussing with me. Never say I don't improvise. You will understand what we are doing but think "Pavlov's Dog" 

 Be sure to go to the facebook page. People live for the grande finale. How I get my followers often. Followers turn into owners https://www.facebook.com/cerberusgsd/

Pups are 7 and 8 days old. Feels good to relax 12/4/21

Day 5 of Early Neurological stimulation this is brown collar

12/4/21 1151 am Breeder's Diary - Feel good to relax. I didn't realize how tired I was and my husband is in the same boat. There is so much I still need to do work wise, hadn't bought a single present, need to do the grande finale, etc. But after a week of 90mph to nothing feels to relax. 

Lucy is hanging out with me in the living room and had to put a new collar on yellow, he outgrew his first one. She needed a break too. Gonna go sit outside on this pretty day and let Lucy relax too. Weights were good this morning. 

 

The dog you have? Is unique. Will never be another like it. Just like humans.

12/3/21 739pm I don't care how long my day was. And it was, I make time for early neurological stimulation. I got less than 2 weeks to get 4s on elevation. They can't hear or see and I get them used the sensation that they should be fearful from. This next volhard you see 4s on elevation. It was because the breeder insured I made the time to do it with religion. time to feed dogs but weighed and day 4 of ens. 

Want to know what that looks like click this link----------------> Us doing early neurological stimualtion  we cant video mom has to leave with my husband

12/3/21 627pm Breeders diary. I went to work today and my husband (an engineer) to watch the litter. I haven't been to work for over a week and half however I worked from home. While at work I got messages and a friend of mine (into rescue) said one moment? She was playing in the backyard. She said next minute she collapsed. Rushed her to the vet and had a blood clot. She lost her. But was there for her last breath. From a woman who lost her Edelweiss in a moment with no expectation. I lost Edelweiss in Feb 2021. That sting is still strong,  I knew there was nothing I could possibly say that will remedy that other than, my greatest sympathy and I know how that feels. 

As most know, I am keeping a female from this litter and the two females are black and tan bicolors. Part of me was disappointed and better part of my brain? This was for the best. I would project my expectations of Edelweiss. Even when I train two dogs on different day. It is unfair, to project the expectation of the dog you lost to the one you gain. I remember once years ago I talked to a person I was vetting and bought a retired IPO3 female from Kraftwerks. Dog had been gone for years and he still chocked up in speaking of her. When I vet owners? I ask what did you like about your previous dog. I do this to understand the activity and interaction of dog and owner. But on many occasions will cause a teary dialogue. I don't mean to illicit sorrow but definitely an offshoot. To the man that lost the retired dog whom his love was umistakeable. He said got a new dog but wasn't her. I said "And my dog won't be either." I will never make another dog like her. I never make the same dog twice. Even in my own pain of Edelweiss and yes pined for a dark sable. Part of me went this is for the best. This girl who will be called "Medusa's Vendetta of Cerberus" registered. She will be awesome but she won't be Edelweiss reincarnated. Our brain speaks one thing, and our heart speaks another. Now with that out of the way. I went to ounces on the pups. I brought a receipe from puppy culture and husband got the wrong type of pudding. We got ice cream and greek yogurt and Lucy would have NONE of that! she ate the venison cottage cheese, and seared liver. Worked all day. So my posts will be brief. But breeding like we do? is a full time job. My husband and I BOTH are handling the litter. 

Before I get to the pictures. An owner of ours from Desdemona litter alpha (2017 litter, Prima's littermate) sent me this. Girl needs to do dock diving. 

I apologize for the brevity but worked in office all day so pictures of things Lucy would NOT eat and aforementioned what she did. I apologize for not being more expansive but have to weigh the pups, do ENS, and feed all the dog's dinner. Breeding is def a full time job.

 

Puppies Day 4, started ENS

 12/1/21 544pm Did Early Neurological stimulation. Didn't do the qtips and the cold towel. I know you don't know what I mean but you will. John needed Lucy distracted and as a new Mom, she is guarded. We hold them up right, butt to ground, nose to sky to give a break. Then we hold elevated nose to the ground butt to the sky for 5 seconds. and then break. Then we cradle them belly up for five seconds. Most calm here. We are supposed to mess with their feet and I need to be more diligent but time is of the essence and put them on a cold towel. I need Mom to be around. As mentioned and speculation, dogs might be like humans and a fear of heights. But last volhard test. and Lucy was aqua. LOOK AT ALL THOSE 4! This will make sense as I go along. But we are now doing this with litters. So tonight red and brown were a bit fussy. But I am holding them in positions they should be mortified of. But pups are born deaf and blind. So getting them used to the sensation before their eyes open. We stop when they open. An art between conditioning and phobia and timing is an extreme art! You will discover very shortly that I do things for very exacting reasons and breeders can affect the personality of a dog. And will show you in painstaking detail how. Just like my pride in those 4s!

You see this? This is the volhard scores and look at all of those 4s. When I saw that, I said I worked 13 days on that. Pink collar got 3. She is now K9 Kassie of Escambia Search and Rescue (we donated and her registered name is Wilhemina's Arrrow of Cerberus) and training to certify and a couple of months ago? She tried to jump off a tower. So fear of elevation isn't in her blood either. What does the 4s mean?  I made this picture huge but owners? You will appreciate why down the road. I would be too large in showing and click the link I put in there to explain. The same assessor is coming out and Aqua? Is Lucy the Mom of your pups!

Link explaining these scores? Click HERE ----------Volhard scores explained

When I saw those scores come in? I said I spent almost 2 weeks getting rid of fear of heights and I was proud. Its the little things that make you proud but I didn't consider that little! I considered that awesome. Some things breeders can control the dogs temprament if you do it during the formative time frame. 

12/1/21 1237pm Breeder's diary We are making progress now. Lucy laid flat out for the pups to nurse versus in a more upright circle to protect her pups. Made it a whole lot easier. She got up and ate some liver and WHOLE bunch of raw bone in leg quarters. Girl needs calcium and she loves cleaved up chicken and was very fatty so happy to see her get a huge lunch. We give her slivers of seared liver. She is still discharging but it is small which means I haven't won the "puppy pad" war yet. I want to get rid of the matting and put washable and disposable pads down. I have a feeling as long as she is discharging, she will dig. We clean up the area with sanitized wipes. But her eating and a lot and drank alot. Is definitely a good thing. 

This picture is what we would like to feed her but pick my battles she ate only liver and leg quarter, the plate below has a lot of good stuff like green tripe, fish oil, cottage cheese etc. I suspects as she nurses her body will demand it. 

12/1/21 851am Breeders Diary - First I wanted to mention that where I get these concepts is from Leerburg's Whelping Puppies video. It is a must see. It has saved me many a puppy including Brown collar. 

Puppies are gaining weight nicely. We will stay with grams until the swings are 28 grams. I am going to paraphrase what he said. He said first few days you can run into fading puppy syndrome. He said you aren't worried about the weight, you are worried about the weight GAIN. He said use grams or won't see the drop. Brown collar was over 500 grams a big boy. But since ounce is 28 grams. You won't detect a drop for a while and now you are late to the game. Weight loss, irrespective of the weight is much bigger concern. The other thing that saved brown collar was "sling method" Brown seemed like he couldn't breathe. So I held him up to the sky like a tepee and then "slowly" swing him to the ground. Massage massage massage put him on the pad and keep him warm. We opened his mouth and felt fluid come out. I blew a bit into his mouth. See if I can get on the teat. Why I said "If I lose him it will be due to annoyment.  Leerburg also said weigh several times a day and you can see why have. To recap? Weight loss can be a sign of something else and your scale needs to be sensitive to detect it. I treat the video as gospel. It has saved my pups!

Once my weight gain is making 28 gram swings I will go to ounces. As the pups get larger, demands on Mom will be great. A priority seating on Mom's teat. Weight drop gets priority, followed by weight, followed by the slowest to gain weight. It is a relative concept. Percentage is a bit more important than actual weight. You want to evenly have the litter grown by the percentage of starting weight. 

Lucy is starting to let me put pads in but not quiet there yet. She still has discharge but I need to replace the gym matting and put down pads but not until Mom says

I walk in to the room often and if a pup asleep at the teat I put them on the heating pad that stays a constant temp and rotate the ones that were sleep or that are awake and looking. 

We started early neurological stimulation last night and will continue until their eyes open but that is Puppy Culture thing. Hoping to video it, but Mom has to be distracted outside while I do it. No one to film. Will get a video before their eyes open though.