Every Day is a Winding Road
My goodness! I consider myself a flexible person, and starting this dog breeding program has really pushed even me to my limits! Every day there is some change in the dogs’ needs, or an environment shift I (aka my husband) has to make, or a new piece of information I learn that has me second guessing myself altogether. Are my dogs even are up to my own standards for breeding? Who will I use for a sire- do I buy a stud service, use Pepe, or buy a male? Do I really need this very expensive, invasive testing to be an ethical breeder or not? Will people be mean to me about my choices?
There are so many things to consider at all times, and then reconsider as things evolve. Initially, my research said people start breeding after the first heat cycle, so I assumed that meant the second one. Tiki had her first heat at about 8 months old, so I thought OK, we’re getting there, maybe we can breed around 16 months? Then 24 months started floating around, and my vet confirmed this. So adding any new puppy into the breeding program has at least a 2 year turnaround. Wow. I’m more of an impulsive person, so this is another aspect of breeding that is really helping me shape my character. My amazing vet confirmed that 2 years is a better time to breed, due to emotional stability. As I’ve been watching Tiki, I agree with the logic. She is a smart, motivated dog, but I have struggled with managing her impulse control. With my diligent work, she is making progress, but I am not sure if it a temperament issue or a puppy issue, giving me a pit in my stomach, wondering if all my money and work with her with the aim to become a foundation dog will be for naught. The 2 year timeframe initially seemed frustrating, but now I look forward to the time for continued observation, and to see the dog she matures into.
I love seeing the progression, but get really embarrassed about the in between stages!! My goats started with a pen not too different from the temporary Puppy Palace. It wasn’t fancy, but it worked. Now, we have built up over time so they have a sturdy, wood lined fence, with a large, heavy gate and a full barn for hay storage and milking.
Last week, we initiated Project Puppy Palace. This sounds like a dream, but it stemmed from a need after the dogs escaped the main fence line and Grassie ate a mushroom on our property and got very sick. We realized a full acre is just too big for these small dogs. So we chose a spot in the middle of the driveway loop, my husband threw up a quick puppy pen with some used fencing material we had, and threw up a tarp with shade. Is it pretty- HECK NO! Is it functional? Yes. Does it keep them safe when outdoors? YES! Is it permanent? No! Every opportunity, we will improve it, step by step. Tomorrow, we have a gravel delivery for phase 1. We got some leftover cedar from my dad’s cabinet business yard sale to build a house, and secure a new, secure fence line. We have to do one piece of it every time there’s extra money in the paycheck, so it’s a work in progress, but I am super excited for the “finished” project. (Is anything ever really finished?)