And then there was one

The little boy met his new parents last night, Jack and Teresa Nauman (and Teresa's father too) for a meet and greet. He played with them, cuddled, tugged vigorously on Jack's jacket, kissed their faces, played a lot more and eventually dozed off to sleep. I think it was love at first sight for both puppy and people. 
 
This morning the family returned to take him home to start their new life together in Wyoming.  He will have a Golden Retriever buddy to play with, a huge acreage to run on and the most beautiful canine sports center I have ever seen to train in (Yellowstone Dog Sports center).  He will be an agility dog as well as probably dabble in nosework, tracking and obedience.  Of course he will also be a cherished pet and constant companion.
 
 This is the best and worst part of breeding. I will miss my little buddy and his many puppy antics.  But I am so excited for him and his new family.  It is a very heartwarming feeling to raise a wonderful puppy and find a perfect family and unite the two of them together.  Then watch as they grow together and develop strong bonds built on trust and love.  I feel very fortunate to be able to breed and be apart of these special relationships between owner and puppy.
  
His new family are currently trying to decide on a name.  A little time together and I'm sure the right name will come to them.  They did decide on a registered name and he will be formally knows as "Hyperhounds Fire and Ice"

proud new parents!

So now it is just me and the little girl.  We are keeping her and have named her Spark.  Registered name is "Hyperhounds All Fired Up".  A fitting name for a very feisty puppy.  It is just starting to sink in that she is mine and  not going anywhere. I am so excited to have another puppy to love and raise.  I feel like the luckiest person in the world who has the cutest and most loveable puppy possible. I'm sure all new owners feel the same way. It is all so very exciting! 

Spark seems a bit sad since her brother left.  So we have had lots of cuddles and play sessions together.  Being a dog trainer by trade I just couldn't resist starting a few little puppy exercises too.  So we started Sit, Down, Stand positions, nose targeting to my hand, and continued work on the recall, name recognition and nosework odour/reinforcement pairing.  We also worked a bit on being quiet when held. We microchiped them a few days ago and the needle was huge.  They cried when it was inserted and the girl ever since has resisted being held.  I'm sure she is worried she will get poked again. So I hold her, she flails and has a tantrum, and then eventually calms down and lies quietly with me.  It should only take a few repetitions of this before she learns that one: she isn't going to be poked again and two: flailing will get you no where, but calm behaviour is much more pleasant and it will get you back on the floor.  The Focused Puppy book calls it "manning down" the puppy.  It's an exercise we will do a lot in the next few weeks.

So here is the end of raising the Dylan/Spryte litter and now starts the raising of little Spark.  Stay tuned for updates on her progress growing up in our family.

last time together in their pen before the boy left