It’s Time To Pick Your Puppy: Skye x Pippen - The Baby Woodland Creatures
I cannot believe just how fast the time with Skye’s little woodland creatures has flown by. They are such outgoing, rambunctious, and adventurous little puppies. Not a day goes by that I don’t ask how they’ve gotten so big, so quick! I am so impressed with these guys are their willingness to engage, be in the middle of everything and their general fearlessness.
I know it definitely feels like time is dragging for you, but for me, it has flown by far too quickly. Now, the moment has finally arrived for you to choose your very own poodle puppy. From those very first wobbly steps to their delightful and playful antics, it’s time to embark on this exciting journey of adding a new furry family member to your home. Take a deep breath, embrace the joy of this experience, trust your instincts, and make the choice that will undoubtedly change your life for the better in so many wonderful ways.
Puppies responding to the Puppy, Puppy, Puppy Recall
This is a very long pupdate and has tons of great information, so please, take your time and read through everything carefully. Once all deposit holders have made their selections, we will update the Available Puppies page of our website. I anticipate that a few puppies will be available after puppy picks are complete. After all current deposit holders have made their selections, we will follow up with those applicants who we asked to wait until after puppy picks were complete and with other families.
All the gathered data is viewable in the spreadsheet. Push the button below to view the spreadsheet. As we move through the process, I will be highlighting and adding the family’s name to the column for each puppy, as they are chosen. After all reservation holders have made their selection, the remaining puppy(ies) will be made available to those interested.
Alright, so you probably opened that spreadsheet and went “WOAHHHHHH, what am I looking at?!?”. I know I would. You’re probably wondering, what the heck does all this mean? Don’t worry, I gotcha!! Keep reading.
BAB Puppy Evaluations
In the past we have done the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test (PAT). This was a great test and provides a lot of great information, however, there were a few things in that test I didn’t like and I felt that the test was not the best at honoring the puppies and building trust. One of our primary goals is to teach puppies that the world is safe, people are good, and other dogs are kind. In the Volhard PAT, there are a few steps to the test that work in direct contradiction to that goal. We’ve begun using the BAB Puppy Evaluation designed by Jeanette Forrey of 4E Kennels. This evaluation is more thorough, honors and builds trust with the puppy, and tests the puppy in a more “real” setting.
How Is The Testing Performed?
The tester sits in the middle of the floor, the puppy is placed into the testing area and is given a few moments to wander around, engage with the tester, check out the toys, or just sit and look around. If the puppy hasn’t wandered over to the tester after a few moments, the tester will begin coaxing the puppy to come greet her. After the tester and the pup have built some trust, the tester will begin the test by asking the pup to play with the toys, work on the equipment, walk on a new surface, experience wobbly surfaces, engage with startling objects, handling, and unstable situations. The test is free-flowing and there isn’t a set order for the pups to be asked to complete the activities. If a puppy becomes too stressed, the test may be stopped to allow the puppy to de-stress.
Definitions
Human Assertive - This is not aggression. Assertiveness is the dog’s willingness to invade your space. Highly assertive dogs will be dogs that will sit in your lap, try to steal your pizza, and will likely want to meet most all people. This is a highly necessary trait for service dogs like Diabetic Alert and Behavior Modification/Disruption.
Prey Drive/Intensity - This could be something like chasing cats, but that is not the only thing that comprises Prey Drive. You can train away from chasing your kids and cats. Prey Drive could also be called intensity. Does the pup focus on his toys? Does he pick them up and shake them? Prey Drive is an indication of intensity and focus. Dogs with high prey drive will need a way to channel that safely.
Nerve Strength/Resiliency - This is an indication of comfort and ability to recover from new situations and new environments. This is an adjustable trait and can be fostered in a pup lacking this particular trait.
Tenderhearted - This is a big one. This is an indication of how this particular dog will handle big emotions (Huge Family Celebrations, PTSD, Depression, High Anxiety). Dogs that are extremely Tenderhearted will break down if put in home environments with a lot of extreme emotions. These tenderhearted dogs will feel responsible for your emotions and try to fix them.
The Recordings
Rather than uploading the videos directly to this webpage and slowing down the load time considerably, I have linked each video to the cover photo below. Please click the cover photo for each pup to be taken to Youtube where you can view the videos directly. The scores for this test are found in the sections labeled Stable Traits and Adjustable Traits on the spreadsheet.
I have to say, this litter is one of the most consistent I have ever seen. Across the board these puppies tested VERY well. They are eager, energetic, confident and human motivated. These are puppies who will do well in any environment in which they are receiving adequate enrichment and engagement.
Some of the potential challenges I see families facing with these puppies would be in terms of boundaries. These puppies are so desirous of wanting to be with their people, that they have no concept of boundaries. I highly recommend that you start establishing FIRM boundaries early, so that you have respectful adults down the road. I’ll share some training videos in the group to discuss things like boundaries and what that looks like.
Fawn is the calmest and most cautious of this extremely outgoing litter. Where everyone else is a five, she is a four. She is also the smallest puppy. Fawn does have a SLIGHTLY lower nerve strength, compared to the other pups. You might notice she starts to scratch a few times during the test, this is a stress response. She recovers QUICKLY and re-engages immediately, so it is not something of major concern. She is the snuggliest puppy.
Cygnet lives life in FAST MODE. She is the most intense puppy with an ABSOLUTE zeal for life. She is an EAGER puppy who wants nothing more than to jump right into everything. She would make an excellent hiking companion, sporting prospect, or kayaking partner. She is down for any adventure, anytime. Despite the amount of energy she demonstrates and her high human focus, she is capable of self entertaining and problem solving (notice how she pulled up the mat to uncover her toys). This is a smart little girl who will keep you laughing and on your toes.
Chuckling is our only little boy. He is just as outgoing as his sisters with the same eager to be involved in everything personality. He LOVES to adventure about and explore. Chuck is a nice rock solid little boy with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. He is eager to work and show off his big brain.
Bunny is going to be our keeper puppy and the future of our Miniature Poodle program. She is another INTENSE and eager puppy. I am looking forward to showing her in conformation and then I hope to train her for Rally, Barn Hunt, Nosework and maybe some other sports. She is eager and resilient. She displays all the best characteristics of her parents and I am eager to see what she becomes.
Picks will be done in order of deposit received/commitment to the litter. As a reminder, the order is as follows.
Valaurah Farms
Charlene
Open
Open
Following puppy picks, I will be circling around to those who are “waiting in the wings” and then we will be opening puppy picks to newcomers on a first-come basis.
Following the receipt of this e-mail, I will begin reaching out to individuals to discuss and confirm their selection. This could be as simple as an e-mail stating “I want Anne, please” or a more complex phone conversation. Please plan to have an appointment within the next 36 hours. The document that tabulates all the testing details is changeable on my end. As puppies are chosen, I will mark them as unavailable on the master list. I will also make announcements on the Valaurah Farms Facebook and Instagram as well regarding chosen puppies.
I will be reaching out to figure out our go-home schedule. It is always nice if we can combine trips to the various places with multiple puppies. But in the meantime, check out the survival guide.
