Colonial Village Labradoodles

Today I took all 6 kids to the dentist. I am blessed that she lets all 8 of us come at one time. As I dealt with some kids that need to brush better and poor Emma needing cavities filled, I was reminded to share the importance of dental health with my puppy families. Please have your dog’s teeth checked yearly and have their teeth cleaned per your vet’s recommendations. Poor gum health can increase the risk of infections for your dog and also be a forewarning for future health problems. Dr. Phillips frequently runs a dental cleaning schedule. Call his office to inquire when is the next cleaning date- 844-2696!

As a dog breeder I want to hold each puppy back for breeding- but alas, only the cream of the crop tempermentally and health clearances make my breeding team. Then I want to keep each breeding dog as a pet here in my home, but my husband reminds me that they cannot all live with us or I will be known only as the “dog lady.” Waverly was one of the hardest dogs for me to place. She was Filigree’s last baby girl to add to our program and she reminds me of Filigree with a fleece coat. She has her mama’s sweet ways and her Daddy’s coat. She is a rock star and lives with a wonderful family in Zionsville that treats her like a princess- which reminds me of Queen Filigree, too! She is almost ready for her first litter so keep an eye out for announcement- this litter will be splendid and be snatched up quickly!

My son, Keegan, has taken over puppy socialization this week. Aidan has been very ill and Keegan decided it was now his job to play with the puppies. They love him and follow him like the Pied Piper. The puppies are only with us two more weeks so we are savoring this precious time with them. Look at how they have grown! Belle has weaned them but they chased her all over the yard for one last drink!

Today was another blistering day of Indiana heat and high humidity. Please remember that our furry friends feel heat as much as we do if not more. Make sure all of your animals have cool, clean, and fresh water. I give my dogs ice cubes on hot days. They love to play with them as they melt and enjoy the cool tastes. Keep your puppy inside in the air conditioning as much as possible or give them cool and shady areas where they can chill out. My dogs love how Kyle has placed big “farm fans” that we buy at Tractor Supply in the garage. They love to just nap in the strong breeze and gentle hum that the fans produce. I also give my dogs ice cream treats and watermelon slices to cool the dogs down.

Most importantly- never leave your dog in a hot car as they can develop heat issues within 5 minutes of being left. Keeping them cool keeps them safe.

Years ago, I approached my husband with a crazy idea. Instead of purchasing a much needed new car, let’s buy a breeding Australian Labradoodle and import her from Australia and start a breeding program!

Kyle is my facilities manager. He constantly is thinking of what is the best way to handle my mamas and puppies. He works tirelessly cleaning and bleaching, mowing and weeding (never with chemical pesticides), feeding and scooping. He does not complain about running a puppy to the vet at 1 am or staying up with me as we whelp a litter. In fact, he gave me a trip to Florida with my girl friends and stayed home and delivered a litter of 12! He has rigged up fans and heaters as needed and made hand sanitizing stations for each of my crates!

So for this, Kyle, I thank you for all that you do for me, our doggies, and our family. We could not do it without you!

Genny Gen Gen and George gave us the most amazing litter of 10 puppies this Spring and we fell in love with the littlest girl. Her temperment is amazing. She brings Genny’s gentle ways and intelligence. She got her Daddy’s good looks, too!

The whole family adores Taylor but our son, Aidan, has a special bond with her. She watches his body language and desires to please him. She has started training and is whip-smart. She is so fun to train because she learns everything so quickly but the challenge is to gently correct her misbehaviors so that it is not a learned activity! We look forward to sharing more pictures and cannot wait to see her test scores!

Not only do my dogs love Karen, our dog trainer, but my kids do, too!

She is truly the best at what she does. She give confidence to the humans and the dogs with which she works. Taylor and Georgia can sit, go down, touch the hand, and walk nicely on their leashes over a small obstacle course.

People ask me all of the time what happens to my breeding dogs when they are spayed and retired out of my breeding program. I laugh as I think- they are doing what they have always done- be a dog. Today Genny was spayed and it was a sad day for the labradoodle breeding world but a continuation of Genny’s great life at the Nieshalla’s and playing with her son, Huckleberry.

Filigree, who lives with us, loves to be no more than 2 feet from me. You can frequently find her riding around in my car as I do errands around town. She is not a big fan of strange dogs so she does not go to the Farmer’s Market. She does visit nursing homes and elementary schools as she prefers people!

Her new favorite spot is resting on my back porch, under the ceiling fan, curled up on my couch. Normally with a good book!

I have a precious family in Zionsville. A few weeks ago we parked next to an SUV at VBS. Maggie said, “Mom, that has to be one of our dogs!” We looked at her closely in the car and said, “Yep, she is one of ours.” I ran in my kids to class and Maggie stayed in the car. I asked her which family it was and she said, “I don’t know but they are all perfect and blond like the puppy.”

The next night I ran into the family and realized that it was the McKinney’s and Daisy at VBS and we all laughed that Maggie recognized the dog but could not remember the family! I was so excited to get tons of pictures of Daisy and notes from the mom. it is such fun to keep up with our families. Enjoy the enclosed note:

Phoebe always refers to Daisy as her “sister” and she also gives her lots of made-up names to suit whatever she happens to be pretending — sometimes she even makes Daisy a boy instead of a girl. I told you that she was referring to Daisy as her sister so much that I felt the need to explain that Daisy is a part of our family, and we love her very much, but that she is not really her sister. Phoebe folded her hands across her chest, looked really sad, and said, “Everybody has a sister except ME!” So, I said, “Would it make you feel better to call Daisy your sister?” She nodded. I relented, “Okay, then.”

Well, puppy training is going on at the McMillan farm with Taylor and Georgia, our two puppies held back from our Spring Litter. I will include pictures in the next few days of the girls working with my girls, Molly and Emma, and our fabulous trainer, Karen Patitz.

When teaching to walk on a leash, hold the leash very short and bend over so the leash is about 1-2 feet long. Gently lead with a treat out in front of puppy’s nose so that puppy follows. Praise if puppy is able to go 4-5 ft and give a treat and verbal- “Good jog, puppy.” Increase distance as puppy is able to go farther and over time, increase length of leash. I am always amazed how my girls train a puppy faster to walk on a leash as they are closer to the ground and puppy!

Look for our puppies every Saturday morning at the Zionsville Farmer’s Market. It is a pet friendly local, supports local farmers, and provides great socialization. It is hosted every Saturday morning on Main Street in Zionsville. Check out the Amish made cinnamon bread and mouse oil. It is wonderful!