Catching up Blogging about Nellie

Nellie is an F1b Cavapoo: 3/4 miniature poodle and 1/4 King Charles Cavalier. Her mother was an F1 50/50 Cavapoo who was bred to an AKC miniature poodle. This designer mix can run between $1200 and $4000.  Typical breeders will release their pups at 8 weeks to get their money as quick as possible. I believe from previous dog experience and research that it is best for the neuro and social development of the dog that they stay with their littermates until 10-12 weeks, so they learn social skills and their place with their pack and how to socialize better, they are more secure with their environment and adjust to new environments and new people transitions better, are more developed and not as anxious or timid and more eager to learn and interact with new things.  So we brought Nellie home right at 12 weeks old, and we were pleased that the breeder held on to all the littermates until the 12th week. 

Cavapoos like Nellie, are known to be hypoallergenic and grow fluffy soft hair that needs daily brushing, and occasional grooming or she will develop mats and are like velcro dogs, they attract all the loose grass and broken leaves and weeds they roll around in outside. So I purchased a soft leather rounded collar and matching 6'leash and 8'training lead. It was pricey but will last her whole life and is not listed as a requirement for any of the training for Mannerly Puppy training, but I use it often when we go out to eat in restaurants or on long trips. 

Nellie was named after Nellie Zebell Whithite, the first female pilot in S Dakota, she was totally deaf from age 2, flew US AIRMAIL, became a commercial pilot, was a barnstormer, and founded the Ninety-Nines an organization for female pilots. I have a soft spot for pilots as my dad is a pilot and I recently became partially deaf from a stroke and hope to train Nellie to be my little helper as I have chronic vertigo and other issues as well as bond with me as an emotional support companion. 

Little baby doggies need their sleep time too. I am so glad that she was so relaxed she just fell fast asleep in my arms. 

Nellie is getting acquainted with my son

 

So within a few 

 days, she decides she loves her new home and is getting very playful with the big dogs, Sophie a sheepadoodle 3years old, and Nala a very fat boader collie, on the very day their mobile groomer is in our driveway. Nellie is running so fast she underestimates her speed doesn't stop in time and slides her furry body about 3 feet into and through a small table knocking over hot chocolate with melted marshmallows all over her and the cat and the other dog.... Well, she got her first professional grooming. 

Time for Puppy School

Learning Quite time

figuring out how to get of a tight rope during quiet time, momma ain't budging

We took a friend to an appointment and practiced

quiet time in the parking lot. I have a fishing stool in my car with my fishing pole of course, which does a great job as a stand-in for impromptu Nellie training.  

Quiet time reinforced for manners in patio restaurants, like this one in SLC

Nellie did great here, was very relaxed, complimented and even offered her own water dish by her server. 

After lunch, we went to the park while we waited for daddy to finish his meeting and we did some loose leash using a long 12' lead dragging for come-touch lets go exercises and more quiet time on the concrete benches not allowing anyone to come and pet her. It was really fun with the long lead on her as she was chasing the ducks and the blowing falling leaves and butterflies in the fall weather. 

                                    Nellie's First Snow Experience Always so Cute