Contact Us Anytime!

Email is IdahoOutbackGriffons@gmail.com or
Home phone is 208-532-4822
Cell phone or text is 208-300-0096.
Thanks Christy and Elliott Owen
83 East 700 North Rupert, Idaho 83350

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Monday, September 18, 2023

The Golden List

 The Golden List is my name for our wait list.  I have used this system for quite a few years now, it isnt perfect, but I think it is fair and it reflects my values in producing the best Griffon Puppy possible and getting him into the best home possible.   First off if you scroll to the very bottom of the blog you will see how to get onto the Golden List. 

 I take an intentionally small deposit to be added. This gives you the client some skin in the game. At first, I didnt ask for anything but I soon realized that this small deposit correlated into a much more committed and thoughtful waitlist.  I also am not in a big rush to take a deposit.  You do not lose your place here because pick orders are based on the original email date not the deposit date.  So you are free to research other breeders before sending me money.  

Once you are ready to quit worrying about getting yourself the perfect Griffon puppy, you contact me and get on the list.  I take this as my job now.  You will be notified of general plans, planned Breedings, confirmed pregnancies, and announcement of birth followed by a contact to see if you are ready and where you fall in the pick order.  I really try hard to contact you when birth occurs, so expect a call if you do not respond to your email.  

I believe the timing of getting a puppy really correlates with how well prepared you are for him, so I never penalize you for rolling your name to a later litter.  That is part of the bigger picture.  Also know that once you have purchased an Outback bred puppy I consider you family, a known and proven good home for a Griffon, so you will be bumped to the top of any litter behind myself and others that are also past buyers now on the waitlist.  This will make the waitlist change slightly sometimes, but usually not by but a spot or so.  

Growth plates and exercise.

Jethro Reed

 This link is science backed.  Exactly how my mind works.  It lays to rest some of the recent garbage about exercise and puppies.  Common sense should prevail.  https://www.mylamedog.com/post/what-is-the-logic-behind-not-exercising-puppies-until-the-growth-plates-are-closed

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Exciting New Addition to Idaho Outback Griffons

 Time marches on and we love the imprint Aux Lakes bred Idaho Outback Brown Chrome had on our Kennel.  Chrome is now retired, and still going strong. We are using 2 of his daughters. Chapel and Grace, and his son Towser in our current line up.  I have been searching for just the right addition to our dogs and after doing health tests I am happy to say that Butte has come to be our resident male on our little farm.  Handy because he is not related to any of our girls.  He wont of course be used on all the girls as there is always a plan and a match.  I am happy to say we did just breed him to Brave, she will have pups out the door near the first of December.   We are super excited to see these 2 should be some gorgeous hunting machines.  

Butte came to us from Butte View Kennels out of Reno NV.  Becky and John have been raising and showing Griffons for 30 years.  Every dog I saw on their place was a lovely example of a Griffon.  Butte is no exception.  Exactly what I need a very harsh gorgeous coat, 53# keeping the frame smaller which I believe makes for a longer lasting field dog, moves like a dream, literally floats along, steady under noise  thunder and gun shot and so far eager to please.  His lineage is literally Champions or Grand Champions for 4 generations back on either side of his pedigree.  

Here are my first photos of him playing with the girls.  He is really cute. Also a couple of Brave that we just paired him to. 









Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Grooming tools you might need

 Grooming tools: We will be discussing these tools.

Mars Coat King De-Matting Undercoat Grooming Rake Stripper Tool for Dogs and Cats, Stainless Steel with Wooden Handle for Thick Coats, 12-Blade Stripper It also comes in double wide and other sizes.  $35 on AMAZON
Useful to this the coat always reach here instead of clippers.  This will thin the wildest of coats. 
SS toothed comb.  I use something like this daily. Loads to select from including some ergonomic ones.  I usually ending up bending a tooth then getting a new one.  cheap. 


Coastal Pet Safari Dog De-Matting Comb - Dog Grooming Brush for Coarse or Long Coats - For Small and Large Dogs - One Size$13.99 on Amazon. This is nice for a long or medium coated dog, remove burrs easily or break coat up if it is matted.  


Thursday, July 27, 2023

Water fun with the girls

 SO hot after a groom we went to the pond for a swim!Grace and Chapel are full sisters born 18 months apart.  A lot alike, I love this AUX LAKE X CHapel Hills Breeding



Outback's Amazing Grace



Outback's Goin to the Chapel


Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Separation Anxiety

 Separation Anxiety

This is a relatively common nowadays behavior that was a rarity in an older day.  We have become a society that has made our pets somehow small people.  Family members they are, humans, they are not.  Dogs have been given status that has made them feel sometimes entitled, sometimes just unruly.  Not unlike ill-mannered children, they are an unpleasant lot to be around, unhappy both in their own contentment and in their interactions with others.  

Griffons have a muppet like charisma.  And a sidewise glance, that makes it seem ok to indulge your little shark.  But soothing every whim is a recipe for disaster.  I cringe a little when I hear the term "velcro dog"  Implying that is ok.  This is a quality we would want in a pet.  I want a connected dog.  I want an interactive and independent dog.  I want a dog that is happy when I am around and when I at the grocery store.  So... I know you all want that dog too.  So let's revisit this concept of producing a good pack member.  It starts with the Pack Leader, which is you.  If your Griffon wants to be in every room with you.  Following you around is totally normal, but whining or scratching at the door, carrying on when restricted should be curtailed immediately.  Redirect.  Send the dog to her bed, kennel, yard, or chill place.  Dogs, like children should be able to entertain themselves without you when they are healthy.  

If you are already having separation anxiety in a classic sense where the dog carries on when it is separated from you or crated.  It is very hard to stem.  I suggest getting a trainer, and potentially sending her away for some time to be reprogrammed if possible.  The soft nature of this breed sometimes makes owners try to solve every issue, correct every whine, never ask the puppy to be a big dog and lay down and behave. 

For example, if said puppy, were mine I would put her in a crate, where I can hear her, but for all intensive purposes she thinks I am gone.  The moment she whines.... I would shush her.... hard.  She would shush.  No words of encouragement, she has done nothing to deserve any of it.  And I would continue on like that.... even rattling her crate. or banging the top... hard if needed.  I would start crate training all over again, as if she were a brand new puppy.  I would ask her to go in and give her a treat.  ask her to come out.  Ask her to go in again... and so on, lots of praise when she happily enters or sits there waiting for a treat. .  Then I would feed her there and only there for the time being..  I would give her a toy she loves maybe a kong I fill with peanut butter, when she goes in, and it disappears when she goes out.  The kennel must become sanctuary not prison.  I would turn off love on this dog hard.she will need to earn it by being a quiet citizen that sits in her crate or nicely on her bed.  There I will give her some love.  She will come to realize the comfort she seeks is that crazy kennel.  This is tough love... this is where you are at. Put her in and out of that thing all the day long.  Without saying a word and never leave or do leave mix it up, pick up your keys open the door come and go, give her a delicious tiny treat every time she goes in .  The moment she puts up a commotion she gets the alarming shushing sound that sounds something like a hiss of an angry cat.  It needs to be with gusto.   Like you actually mean it.  YouTube is an excellent resource.  If you do not take this seriously and involve the entire family she will one day eat your door, which would be a shame.  I would like to try to have her managed for a while because the consistent correction when she carries on in the crate is key not just sometimes or by some people.  Better to have her in the yard or somewhere until you get the crate thing worked out.  She also needs to be asked to lay by herself, if she is on your couch off if she is on your bed no more.  Christy


Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Puppy home work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1mh9yGnCh0   Biting on humans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13Pn6Cngb24 barking or crying..... it is not separation anxiety

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8cV2D1GGbg crate training first day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr5s3Ccj8YA puppy jumping

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UTBVeiXVmU Puppy jumping

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/M61yN_pGJP0 potty training tips

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Accommodations when you come to get your puppy

 Staying Near Rupert for a day?  Places worth going....

Rupert has a charming city square, not much shopping, unless you are a quilter, but the atmosphere is nice, and it is safe here. The food options are decent. 

Accommodations:

 Henry's Drift Inn is the only place to stay in Historic Rupert, remodeled and full of character, just a 15-minute drive from our place.  I do not believe it is dog friendly. You can always leave your charge at my place and pick him or her up on your way out of town.  Many folks pick out their puppy, the evening before then get an early start to the next day, collecting their puppy on their way home   http://henrysdriftinn.com/ 208-436-1300


 ““Competently remodeled historic bank building in downtown Rupert, ID. Spacious room, luxurious shower fixtures. Well-stocked communal pantry near guest rooms.”

If you like conventional Best Western BURLEY Idaho is roughly 30 minutes from our place.   It is dog friendly.  208) 678-3501       800 N Overland Avenue   Burley, Idaho 83318 1(800) 780-7234

Places to EAT Chatter Box, on the Rupert Square is great for Breakfast. 

  E Street Deli Sandwiches - 542 E St, Rupert, ID ...

Or have a steak at The Drift Inn right below your room.


Saturday, March 11, 2023

Lazy Lazy Lazy

 I cant believe how long it has been since I last posted.  But I have a bunch of things in the works.  First off we are expecting 2 litters arriving within 2 weeks.  Brave and Towser are bred due after March 19th and Grace and Bandit is due 4 days after on the 23rd or after.  I have a healthy waitlist, but quite a few folks are waiting for later litters so it is likely pups will be available from these litters if you contact sooner than later.  

Brave is the female on the right.  She is our rockstar wetland bird dog.  She loves water retrieves and goose blinds.  SHe is appears chuck full of pups, bred to Towser, son of Chrome, Aux Lake bred for performance, conformation and personality.  

Grace our Chapel View female, is also having a repeat breeding with Bandit.  AKC Champions on both sides of these little rockstars.  SHe is not as large as Brave and may be able to help, in the event that Brave has more mouths to feed than she can handle. 
Bandit

Grace
Bandit just coming into his own.  He has big shoes to fill with Buddy his Dad being a AWPG Hall of Fame recipient as well as an AKC Champion.  Born with the looks and Talent and is a great family dog besides. 
Reach out to me via email at IdahoOUTBACKGriffons@gmail.com
I can let you know availability on these litters and our other plans for 2023.  

New Web Page being debeloped and should be released in May:}



Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Stripping your Griffon

 This is a link to a really understandable grooming your Griffon the right way Link.

Grooming a Korthals Griffon - YouTube

Jaegar

Jaegar
I love the elements of this photo

Anxiety Your making me Crazy

Anxiety and Your Griffon ie You All are making me Anxious! Let’s start at the beginning. We can all agree the WIREHAIRED POINTING GRIFFON, is a sensitive soul. When these dogs were first bred, they were a mix of high powered hunting, pointing, retrieving, and tracking dogs as well as a generous dose of “How can I please you… Please I beg you, just tell me what to do… ” Those soft teddy bear eyes, with their mischievous nature sometimes seduce their humans into buying into the “Your a good dog… I am just going to love, love, love you” “You make me sooooo happy I just want you to be my best boy” Doesn’t sound that bad right? Oh how contraire. I know we went over a lot at puppy pick up. A lot of puppy pick up is about living with a sensitive, softer breed of dog. I am seeing a serious uptick in folks that are mishandling their Griffon as puppies and creating monsters in their adult Griffons. So the psychiatry of raising a good puppy, and I dare say a good human, is the ultimate goal of having a companion dog that is adjusted to the family, and the life a family leads. A dog that can play and participate in all manner of family activities and live in amongst us as we work , travel, and hunt like an integral part of the family is what we strive towards A dog’s job is to be a pet or working partner….. He is not a human child. He is not equipped to make any decisions, other than ones programmed by nature or nurture. Sometimes his job is to sit in a kennel or yard for 8 hours while their human works. His job is to be able to self comfort… something that our small humans should learn as well. I follow the puppy raising principle of “How to raise a BRAVE puppy”. So you begin with positive reinforcement. So there is an incentive to behave in the way I want you to. Some dogs work for treats, some for love, and some to play. I use a combination of rewards. I often start with treats. Most of my adult dogs work for a pat, but I think they all still believe a treat could happen and that always makes their responses crisper. Up front you should expose your puppy to everything and everybody. The more they see and experience the stronger they become. By the way, I consider a puppy any dog 12 months or younger. If I hear a young puppy howling because he is stuck in the wood pile, I take note, and then let him work it out. He figures out he can impact his own fate if nothing else then he was bored being stuck there. He now has a skill of helping himself. Being brave… When a puppy gets bit by an adult dog, the other dogs including the mom do not rush over to console, not do I. So if your pup learns a life lesson, please do not undo it by commiserating with their miserable state. Instead be strong and know what not to do next time. the Postman is real nice, in fact they all are. The water spraying on the road is super fun. The BB gun buzzing through the air always brings out a wing or bird! I love to meet the people at Lowes and petco. I like to go play in the stream and run through the briars with my friends. I am BRAVE. And when your puppy is in a calm collected and strong state that is when they are loved on not when they are fearful, and anxious. REWARD THE BAHAVIOR YOU WANT. I go out of my way to make lots of experiences fun and rewarding for example. When I train puppies for loud noises… First I don’t shield them from the lawn mower and power tools. The adult dogs are calm you are calm all is good. I use a BB gun and am constantly popping at a sparrow or starling. The adult dogs love this game because they know this means a bird could fall to the ground. It is gross I know but their joy outweighs the gross factor for me. The puppies see the enthusiasm. So as the pop gets bigger, the excitement grows. WATER I love to throw toys in, and wade in myself. I always bring other joyful water loving dogs. Never scary all fun. BEING ALONE I have been alone. It is not scary, I know because I have been alone. Now let’s imagine you were never ever alone. Someone walked you while you went potty, someone slept next to you, someone didn’t insist you had to stay on a rug, or your own bed. If you whimpered someone raced over and wiped your tear and tugged you onto the couch. If you yip or whine it is met with a friendly its OK boy. Someone hugged you before they left you while going to town, softly caressing you and in a squeaky voice saying I’ll be back you just wait right here for me. When that same someone returned I raced over crying and wailing, I leapt into their arms just grateful they had not abandoned me. This happens too much. Your puppy needs to learn to be alone and be happy. So give them something special they only get when they are alone. A chew toy or treat. Practice leaving and returning and never acknowledge your puppy. He is busy being alone and content. When you are ready to engage, and he is exhibiting calm, non reactive energy, you can engage. But no need to overdue. After all this is his job. You are rarely congratulated for making it through another long boring day of work, just because you did not have a meltdown. Please hold back when you want to excitedly greet or tearfully say good bye. It is not good for your Griffon who then thinks he should worry because you have clearly just averted death or kidnapping, or are soon to leave to war. Exercise, Griffons are full of it, the need for speed. In every case you should allow your Griffon space to stretch and burn calories. Younger Griffons need this even more than older dogs. Once your Griffon has the edge taken off, we now need to turn on the brain. So teach him things. I mean hard things not just sit. An off leash recall, down and stay for extended periods of time, scent hunt your hidden child or partner, teach him to find sheds, look up what is required to make your dogs a good citizen with AKC and visit an old folks home. Ask him to obey in increasing outside stimuli. Here is where the motivation comes in handy. Ie treats Or JUST LOVE HIM, and he will be a paranoid mess that can’t breathe or whimper without your assuring force. Some just become less of a dog than they should be, some will decide since you seem to need a leader and will try to keep all the bad guys … things away. At it’s worst, I am going to open up this wall or door while you are gone with my bare teeth, bleeding, but dam the cost, because I cannot cope. I can’t trust that person because he limps and smells weird.. I have absolutely no idea how to lay here and pass the time…. What should I do now. There are rules that will help you raise a brave Griffon • I and all the humans in this house are the boss and rank higher than the Griffon. • Babies and small children are my friends. They are prized above all other things by my adult owners, so I worship them as well. I can play gently with them. I never bite, or jump on them especially the baby though she is super cute. They can greet me, and talk high because they are babies… I understand that to a degree. • Teenagers… or other sub adults must adhere to similar rules as the adult owners. They are not to teach me to play too rough, or ignore basic rules. Most Griffons recognize sub adults as being pretty fun. • Griffons do not need to make any decisions. Let your rules be clear. IE Cats are not food…and the like. • Griffons leave kids alone leave other animals alone unless I say different • Avoid talking in a high voice,or treating your dog like it is a baby. Your Griffon is a dog not a child. He takes the high voice in greeting or whatever as some kind of distress, yours or his. • Try petting in an upward movement on the chest instead of the top of the head or back, or scratch a belly. Don’t stare him down in adoration or appreciation, it actually feels dominant to most griffons. • Never greet or say goodbye. It is just another day. Wait for the calm after the storm to appreciate your Griff. • Put your puppy away lots. In the yard on his mat or kennel, with the neighbor. He needs to be adjusted there. If needed add an incentive to keep him there. • Get your keys jingle them and happily return, don’t take the dog, unless you want to. Get in your car come back. Certainly don’t take your Griffon with you every time. • Everyone has the same rules in the house, no matter who you are. If the dog can’t be on the couch than not ever. • Send a member of the household to an obedience class with your puppy. Pick the person thatfeels the least control over the puppy, your 2nd choice is the person that is vested the most, but your house will run smoother if you pick the first option. • Dogs should not be at your level, they are not humans, stay on the floor and off the bed. • Scold without penitence, and immediately. • Swiftly get over the anger of correction. • Walk with a loose lead, if you don’t know how, either YouTube it or get a trainer. Same with biting or jumping. • No harnesses, they incite pulling. If you feel out of control learn to use an ecollar or a pinch collar or a gentle leader. Used as intended they are excellent training tools. • Some dogs need a play collar and a different collar or set up to differentiate from anything goes to your job is to be calm. A back pack etc. The stuff you see on service dogs is on purpose to let the dog know he is working. Use that tool. If this article applies to you, save your dog, get a trainer today. I am here to inspire. Of late have had several Griffons that have struggled and it is breaking my heart. These rules could save those loads of grief. Please know I am not picking on any one situation or person, do not take offense, just saying things like they are. REMEMBER EXCERSIZE, OBEDIENCE then LOVE CHRISTY

GOALS

Goals
here at Idaho Outack Griffons

My philosophy is to produce a puppyat the height of his potential. We start by carefully selecting our breeding
stock. I like to use health screened animals that gives us the best chance toproduce a healthy, long lived dog.

My second goal is to raise our dogs like ahouse hold pet as well as a hunting companion and a best freind for my boys. I
never have more than 5 dogs on the place, it is all I can bond to properly. WE Co-Own with freinds, so other dogs in our breeding program have their own family life.

All the puppies are raised off my kitchen and are handled from day one. There was a great study done by the monks who raise quality German Shepherds. They discovered techniques all of which involve early handling and human interaction. They were able to create more adjusted and
trainable adult animals. So once they begin crawling about they are underfoot, placed all day in the center of the action where even a crowd can't get ignored.

Weather permitting they are kenneled at night and taught
about grass or paper in the house. I love vari kennels they are excellent astheir den and as a tool in house training and transporting. We start introducing them at an early age to water, wings, and all sorts of exploring.

Lastly I want to retain the natural hunting abilities so all our
breeding animals hunt and are close range dogs. Though we do not participate in the local NAVDA groups these dogs would do well in that venue. This is a wonderful organization that gives you a way to test both your dogs natural abilities and your developing handling skills. AKC has some great opportunities
in confirmation but also has obedience and working dog competitions. I can't wait for someone to take one of these guys through an agility course, I think they could sweep this sort of thing, and maybe one day when my family is a little older I will try this myself. My high point is getting the right puppy to the right folks, we work so much with them we know their personalities, and make it our goal for you to know your puppy by the time he arrives.

Rose X Chrome adult snaps

Rose X Chrome adult snaps
Their name plus Outback kennel call name bottom

Duck Rabbit... Buffalo


Buffalo Dog FOOD what the ????
I am asked
what I feed my dogs all the time. I
happen to be from the Veterinary Industry and have had the opportunity to tour
several of the manufacturers of pet food.
I have also had extensive training on a lot of assorted diet lines. You all know I am practical and have an
opinion popular or not on everything in dog world. Here are my musings.

A long LONG time
ago there was an ad campaign from Hill’s Science Diet that showed a photo of an
old leather boot a can of oil and some other assorted items I can’t remember
but I remember the image. It also showed
a pile of meat on the other side. The ad
then stated the protein and fat content of each side…. Exactly the same. Message there was clear not all ingredients
are not all the same. I also remember
another ad that asked you how much a pound meat was then asked how much per
pound dog food was in the store. Message
here what kind of meat can you expect in a pound of dog food that costs say .50
per pound as a finished product.
So that said
my dogs do not eat steak every day nor do I.
They have a unique non human digestive system that enables them to take
energy from both protein sources and vegtable sources as well of course as
vitamins and minerals. Great strides
have been taken in pet food, and many good diets contain EFAs, glucosamines, antioxidants,
natural preservatives, no food colors… etc.
LOVE IT!
But do I buy
the trendy new dog foods that are touted all natural “WILD” “Buffalo” “BLUE”
and more. They claim they have something
over the other foods available. Just
because your dogs food is made from Kangaroo meat… this does not make the
protein source more digestable or preferable.
IN fact the over use of non traditional protein sources has now made
finding a truly food allergic animal a diet they haven’t been exposed to a
nightmare. Don’t get me wrong, I could
care less if you feed duck and potato, but I don’t think there is an advantage
unless it is medically indicated because of a digestive cause, skin allergy or
the like.
I do believe
in purchasing higher quality foods, by well known manufacturers like Purina,
Iams, Hills, Royal Canin. They do their
research. They use the highest quality protein
sources…. Stuff you and I would readily eat ourselves. They are the leaders in additives that
promote health and long lividness. Don’t
forget way less excrement with a highly digestable food that leaves smaller
less smelly piles about the yard. Also a
Griff coat on a diet with adequate fats is heavy and healthy and not quite but
almost shiny. Don’t buy the cheapest
stuff you can and don’t be drug into the trendy side either. Use a large breed active blend. Or if your dog is chunky … shame on you… he
won’t live as long… get him on an over weight diet and quit feeding him the
other stuff.

Griff Humor

Griff Humor
Griffon Humor

Parasites YUCK

Whether you may know it or not all puppies get parasites from their momma's milk. Momma gets it from cleaning up the feces of the puppies for the first few weeks. This is a normal mother nature thing that all animals do. Below I have a link to common parasites the puppies will get and get treated for while with me. Remember these parasites are not covered under my health guarantee because sometimes no matter how many times I treat my puppies for these they could still have them. I take a sample of puppy feces to my vet to be tested when the puppies have their vet check. I usually take 2-3 samples with me. But just because 2 or 3 samples may not have it doesn't mean all the puppies don't. And both of these parasites below have incubation periods. So they may leave my house clear and free but have the egg in their system for the worms or coccidia. I tell everyone when they take their puppy home take their puppy to their vet with in 5 days. Take a sample of their feces to the vet to be tested and do it again a week after the vet visit. Until puppies are completely away from their siblings and the other fecal matter in the puppy area they are not clear from catching these parasites. Coccidia link:http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1622&aid=727Worms in puppies: http://www.the-puppy-dog-place.com/puppy-worms.htmlhttp://www.ehow.com/about_4740383_worms-in-puppies.htmlIt is very important that you take your puppy for all their preventive shots during the first 4 months of their lives. Parvo is the main thing can kill puppies. All dogs can be carriers but it kills puppies and older dogs. link below is on Parvo.http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1556&aid=467It is also important that you get your dog's heart worm medicine in states indicated by your veterinarians The heartworm is transmitted during the mosquito life cycle. May through October. Or year round if the mosquito possibly can live through your winter. Also every dog needs a rabies shot the first one is good for one year and then they get 3 year rabies shot.

Puppy Heart Murmurs

My Blog is designed to address the needs of my Griff owners and help them be educated in their chosen hobby. Griffons can be afflicted with a heart murmur and I want you to have a chance to know the condition and understand the outcome on affected puppies. I myself in 26 years of breeding dogs have had about 6 puppies develop heart murmurs by their 6th week check up. All but 1 of these puppies have been considered innocent and went on to live uneventful lives. Unknown cause that clears up completely on their own by 18 to 21 weeks. One puppy named Pearl, was physically impacted by this congenital condition. We identified her before she left my place. Ultimately she lived a joyful but shortened lifespan. This is an article from the Magazine Bulldog world Heart Murmurs in Puppies Home The heart operates with a pump like action. Divided into four chambers-right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle-the heart has four valves that work to keep blood flowing in one direction. The valves open and close, letting blood in and then pumping it out. That sound is created from the movement of the valves and the flowing of the blood.The sound a murmur makes depends on when it occurs in the cardiac cycle.Correct auscultation of a puppy's heart at less than 8 weeks of age may reveal a heart murmur. This does not necessarily mean that there is a disease process occurring; however, it may.


To define a heart murmur, an often used example is the vibration felt, and the subsequent sound you hear, when you pinch a garden hose between your fingers with the tap fully turned on. What is heard when listening to the heart is a slurring of the normally distinct heart sounds. This may be a continuous slurring, or it may be intermittent at the point of each beat heard.Heart murmurs are graded by intensity of sound, for instance on a scale of 1 to 6. It is not infrequent that one may hear a grade 1 or 2 heart murmurs in a 6-10 week old puppy. Often these murmurs disappear by the time the puppy is 12-18 weeks old, and are therefore termed innocent murmurs. However, murmurs with a greater intensity may mean that there is a congenital heart defect. Most grade 2 or lower will disappear by 18 weeks and the puppy will be fine with no long term or damaging effects. The puppy would be considered healthy and normal by 18 weeks. However, grade 3 usually or higher is a serious problem.cardiac ultrasound exam is by far the most effective method of evaluating heart murmurs, I'd skip things like EKGs to get the ultrasound Exam, if a choice has to be made between tests.


A puppy at 8-12 weeks with grade 1 or 2 heart murmur would be considered innocent with the sale pending a clean bill of health by 18 weeks, free of murmur, (NOW GRADE 3 OR HIGHER WOULD NOT).Because of the nature of many heart defects, their detection and classification is extremely important to any breeding program when a grade 3 or higher murmur is detected in more than 1 puppy or the whole litter has a murmur.

Griffon Humor

Griffon Humor

Submissive peeing Learn to Greet your puppy/ dog

I am going to write an article because one of our puppy buyers is having some issues with submissive peeing. First let's review the wolf pack that is the first family group of all dogs. In Dog language there are dominate and submissive pack members. In order to survive in the pack a dog shows submission to have access to food, get attention, and to be generally accepted in the family pack. The dominate dog will stare at the lower member, stand over them, perhaps put their mouth over the other dog even bite, growl, and generally be much bigger than the lowly pack member. For one moment think of yourself towering over your puppy reaching down from above and placing your hand on the top of their head. Seems very normal... but what if your puppy happens to be a rather submissive individual with little intestinal fortitude. The best way they can show how great and powerful you are is by peeing all over the floor and flopping to the ground. This is very annoying to all humans, not to mention a pain to clean up. Here is the good news, most dogs can be trained out of the behavior, and most dogs to a certain extent grow out of the behavior.
So now you know what the behavior is now what to do with this puppy. First off acceptance and attention is what they crave. There are a couple approaches to take, 1st just like children attention whether positive or negative is sought. Yelling and scolding makes submissive peeing more like submissive flooding. So here are some stratedgies no fuss, no drama, no high voice, no dominate postures, in fact this puppy needs to realize you have no interest in him at all during greetings. The greeting period is the number 1 time this problem happens so usually once the greeting phase is over you will minimize the behavior.
First option, from now on greeting is not about seeing and paying omage to you but is focused on a food treat. The puppy is taught to stand still waiting for a treat. The focus is pulled off the submissive greeting and now focused on a task. By the time the task is performed a few times the greeting phase is over. This has to happen from all members of the family.
2nd option, ignore the puppy, from now on you give the puppy not a second glance, no greeting, no voice, no attention, let the puppy settle down, get past that time period. Only reward calm and drama free behavior. I like to encourage them to stand quietly and allow a belly rub or an upward rub on the chest. Focus the puppy on staying upright as dogs rarely pee standing up. Keep in mind you are the ALPHA WOLF help your puppy have confidence, training puppy classes, and tasks give them a purpose that helps them be the adjusted dog they can be! See my next article where we will discuss excited peeing, which is related but not the same.

Avery a GLORY Chrome pup

Avery a GLORY Chrome pup

Liberty

Liberty
Chapel Hills's bred AKC CH Lines

True

true

True

true

True

true
7 months

Now and then

Now and then
8 week / adult

Feedback

Hi christy, Grif is doing awsome , i love hime so much . he still sleeps in my bed everynight ,thanks for teaching him that one , is doing great on the ducks and on pointing grouse. i am starting a outfitting service next fall will be doing black bear and moose and caribou . griff will be abel to go all the time . Have ben working remote jobs to bankrole the outtfitting gig . griff get so weird when im gone its funny he nocks the phone out of pams hands when the phone rings and i have to talk to him or he pouts .that dog is so smart . i want to get a female in the spring if it works out . Let me no on the pup . Im guiding elk hunts in townsed montana september threw november so will be own in your neck of the woods then .
take care Brent Harrington

olen hilliard
Hi, I can't believe he's almost a year old! Here are a couple pictures of ourcurious George. He's been a terrific addition to our family, given life to ourold dog and helped me log many miles. Both on foot and by horse. He loves tohunt, loves to go in the car and generally is a great dog around all. You canactually go hunting without a gun and still get live birds :) He also looksgreat with Reindeer antlers at Christmas.!We're hoping to finish the Canine Good Citizenship exam in April. He's readyand willing. Thanks for the terrific dog and I still love the dog name. Neverchanged it... sherrill & mark

Roy Kandi Chilcott
Hi Christy,Thistle, renamed Maggie, is getting along great! She is so smart! It's a lot of work but we are getting along great with potty & kennel training. She already sits by the door when she needs to go out! Amazing! Kandi

Ben Krupka
Hi Christy,Thanks for your advice the other day. Here's some recent pics of Frieda. All between the ages of 18 and 19 weeks old.She's a dream come true!Thanks,Ben

joy gates
Hey Christy- Just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year- love to hear about the other pups from Rose's litter. Hazel is a beauty. Her eye lashes are about an inch long, she's patient, so funny and very smart! She's a lap lover, woodland explorer and I'm very sure she has springs in her toes. She hasn't quite got the catching popcorn thing down, but with practice... :) Hope you are enjoying the season. We are, in great part to your contribution!

Michele L. Turek
Hello Christy,I just want to give you an up date on Sugar or Darla as we call her. She is doing great, very healthy and smart. We have a field near our house which she loves to run and practicing pointing. She easily learned bathroom duties, come, sit and down. We are taking her to puppy class next week for more training which is a positive praise model we've been using. If you attach a "good" or say a command with a happy attitude she takes right to it.I've attached some photos of her in action, resting and her favorite "look how good I sit" mode, so you can see how she's grown.
Thanks again for a great dog ,Michele & Colin

Toni Joseph
Hi Christy,That is so weird we were just checking your site the other day to see if you bred more recently!We are IN LOVE with Wren! He is a wonderful family dog so great with our kids! Sage is 5 and Wren is not his dog, he is his "scruffy brother!"Juniper is now one and she lays on his bed and hugs him always!He is so loyal to us and really needs us in his sight at all times..He is an excellent hunter, he flushed a ton of chukar last week and we are taking him out with no kids on friday! I am planning on getting some great pics I will send some over your way!We have done a lot of camping and fun hikes this recent summer and he is so much fun, he always stays close and he really listens when we call him etc.He is very healthy just shy of 60 pounds, and he is always happy!Thanks again he has really completed our family!Brian, Toni, Sage, Juniper & Wren Joseph