Solo begins training :)

On Solo's 8 week birthday we celebrated by taking him to the big park in Alamogordo and beginning 'training.' Everything we do is designed to have him believe 'training' is fun..so lots of reward, lots of food, lots of praise.

Here is a little video clip of starting 'touch pads.' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKszz5L0xMw

Solo takes walks with us in the desert mountains, keeping up with his mama and whomever else has accompanied us. Our walks are generally about 2 miles long.

Trip to New Mexico

Two and a half days drive from Wisconsin to New Mexico and Solo was a real trooper! He played with his toys, gnawed on a bone, dumped his water only once :) and was a very good traveler! Here in New Mexico, he has already gone for a long walk in the desert, visited the big park in town and now sports his own collar. Jim took him out on a long line to get him used to it; all went pretty well - we did a little scent box while in the park. Ruby keeps trying to entice him into playing "chase the bunny" with Solo playing the bunny role, Ruby the wild animal. Solo's so far having none of it.

Solo at 7 weeks

Here's Solo at 7 weeks, the day before we head to New Mexico. He's 'sort of' cooperating but is looking at Jim to see what he intends to do next.

Our 'training' so far has consisted of eye contact brought about through the lure of cheddar, little 'tracks' in the house using bacon or hot dogs and confidence building.

Solo @ 2.5 weeks

Here's Solo first at 4 days old (note the Teddy Bear!)

and again at 2.5 weeks. Did we mention that he was growing fast?

Here I am at 6 weeks, being forced to hold still with this person holding me by the butt! What an indignity!

Being a 5 week old puppy takes its toll on a fellow. Between trying to keep the mom in line and the water dish in one place, a pup just plain gets pooped!

Christmas morning and nothing's better than wrap to rip!

4.5 weeks, right around Christmas, and Solo, despite a fatty front, is able to sit up and take notice. The bear is his buddy, he sleeps with it and drags it with him to keep him company when Una's not handy.

Here is Solo at 4 weeks. He's up on his feet, waddling around the kitchen, climbing up and over the rungs of the kitchen chairs, exploring a little bit and mostly nursing and sleeping.

Solo's beginning

Solo was born on November 20/21 in the middle of the night after 7 hours of labor. He is the result of a frozen semen breeding. The semen was 20 years old and we were happy to have not only a healthy puppy but a male born. We had been wanting a male for a number of years for competition and are hoping that Solo is that male.