First Try!

Here's a new photo of me and Chip as he gives his first jump a try. We were waiting for puppy class to start, and saw that some jumps were set up in the field next to the facility. Well... we couldn't resist, and had to give one a try. Okay, so maybe he didn't make it, but look at the eye contact!

We start Puppy Agility class in two weeks! Woo hoo!

A New Pack

So last week, I packed up the Subaru Outback with lots of granola bars and Buddy's big dog crate, and headed off for Beloit, Wisconsin. Made it in 12 hours without any major problems, other than taking a wrong turn south of Chicago and driving through the city instead of around it as planned. The next day, Jackie and her daughter picked me up in their van along with Chip and his dad, Kohbayn, and we went directly to the vet to get Chip's health certificate. Then they gave me a wonderful tour of the farm -- Border Collies, sheep, goats, horses, ducks, rabbits... you name it!

Chip and I headed out for DeWitt, Michigan the next day. The pup howled like a siren in the crate for at least 30 minutes. I drove with one hand on the wheel and the other hand over one ear. We spent the night in DeWitt and made it to Toronto the next day. At the border, the Canadian officials didn't want to see any of his health info -- just the sales receipt for Chip so they could calculate how much tax I would have to pay.

So far, Chip and Max are getting along beautifully! Chip adores his new big brother, and Max is being very patient. Sometimes I think Chip sees me and Birgit as giant chew toys, but I'm told this phase will pass. Tomorrow, Chip and I go to our first puppy class at Dog Sports Centre. He is already a bruising 18 pounds @ 11 weeks old! But he is everything we had hoped for -- smart, attentive, fearless, curious, and clearly people-oriented.

The photo was taken by Birgit today as Chip surveyed his new back yard from our deck.

Wisconsin Bound

I'm all packed up, ready to go. (Isn't that a song?)

Tomorrow morning at 6a I'll be hitting the road for Wisconsin to go meet Jackie and Chip. I hope to make it to Beloit by tomorrow evening. I'll visit Jackie's farm and Chip & Family on Tuesday afternoon. We've decided to take Chip for a vet's check-up and health certificate on Tuesday even though the Canadian Border website says we don't need a certificate for pups under three months. But just in case we meet up with a cranky border guard, I want to have a certificate on hand.

I sure hope that new-used Subaru doesn't have any hidden time-bomb problems lurking! Bet I don't sleep a wink tonight, I'm sooooo excited!!!

(In Jackie's photo, Chip is the purposeful-looking one with the toy.)

Guess Who?

I just finished reading two of Dr. Patricia McConnell's books -- The Other End of the Leash and For the Love of a Dog. Now I'm totally scared that I am going to mess up Chip! I read about all the emotional and behavioral problems dogs can have, and how vitally important those first six months are in a dog's development. What if I can't keep Chip away from traumatic experiences? What if Chip and Max don't get along? What if I misread Chip's emotional signals? Arghhhh!!! It's a good thing I've never had a baby -- I would be completely neurotic (more than now).

Chip is now enrolled in the Puppy class at D.O.G. Sports Centre. The centre comes highly recommended by my vet, Barb, whom I called in a little panic yesterday. Chip will start class the week after he comes home with me. After Puppy class, we'll check out the Obedience classes, and eventually Agility.

So... I'm making a list of things to pack for the trip to Wisconsin next week to go pick up Chip. Hopefully I won't need my boots -- we got about 10 cm of snow here yesterday!

Chip in Action

Here's a short video from Jackie. I'm reading Dr. Patricia McConnell's book "For the Love of a Dog" right now, and Jackie seems to be doing everything that McConnell suggests a good breeder do in terms of giving the pups a stimulating environment full of people. Chip certainly seems to be enjoying himself!

Here's a new photo from Jackie. The rather plump pup howling away on the step may be our Chip. She says that all the pups are good, but this one certainly stands out. He is playful, powerful, can be somewhat aloof, and complains until he gets his way. Sounds like Buddy to me, but I worry that Buddy's hyper-aloofness was a bit much sometimes. He could tolerate being petted maybe 15-20 seconds, then would get up and walk off, like a cat. I'd like the new pup to be more people-oriented than that, but without being a separation anxiety candidate. Oh my... how to find a middle ground!

I've made the hotel reservations for the big trip to Wisconsin, so it looks like this is really going to happen! Max and Birgit are doing GREAT in their obedience class, and we're hoping to have everything all ready at home for Chip's arrival in April. Gee, I wonder what color we should paint his bedroom.... ok, just kidding...

Solid

Here's a new photo of the pups from Jackie. They're eating solid food now and are learning to play with each other. Speaking of solid, that handsome hunk on the left side of the photo is, we think, the future Chip Waller-Schneidmueller.

While we're waiting for Chip's arrival in April, Max and Birgit have started their Obedience class. With the help of some incredibly smelly liver treats, Max is already learning to heel and to stop pulling on the leash. Way to go, Max and Birgit! Here's a photo of Max reclining after a long day.