Follow along as we update the journey of Pinto’s Puppies. As the puppies continue to develop, I will be assessing their strengths, weaknesses, energy levels, intelligence, biddability and all the other things I observe that let me know not only if the puppy has the temperament suitable for the service dog realm, but that they are successfully partnered with the right match to ensure the easiest and most successful adventure of service dog training.

If you are interested in learning more about service dog training, please CONTACT US.

September 14 UPDATE:

The Fab Four are 6 1/2 weeks old and doing fabulously. So we thought we’d reveal their current status and share a little update.

Two males (Rye and Nickel), two females (Brioche and Poppy). All four pups are active, healthy, robust, social, inquisitive, gentle, calm, intelligent and developing increased physical skills daily. They have already begun learning basic manners, have been introduced to a crate they comfortably go in and out of on their own. They have been exposed to a wide variety of sights, sounds, scents and surfaces. (e.g, vacuuming right next to them as they eat breakfast to condition them to sounds of life in homes). They are beginning potty training, they come when called, and are now fully participating in DIPs after it is gauged safe for them to enter the fray. They are confident and curious, cuddly and collectively cute.

We’re planning some upcoming activities (including introductions to some potential partners, puppy yoga and a visit to toddler library time as well as a first vet visit). We are still taking serious inquiries for those that might be interested (scroll below for our sample service dog contract) as not all pups are spoken for at this writing.

August 24 UPDATE:

The puppies are now 3 weeks and one day old. Plumping up, eyes and ears open, learning how to use their legs, play with their siblings, navigate through their living space, nurse vigorously when offered by their mother and begin expanding on their personalities that have revealed themselves during this critical early puppy development.

We are sad to announce that we lost our second little one, Bialy, at 3 weeks of age from Fading puppy Syndrome. He was much smaller than the remaining and robust and healthy four — Rye (m), Brioche (f), Nickel (m) and Poppy (f) — and suddenly on Tuesday began to quickly deteriorate. Despite best efforts — getting him hydrated, keeping him warm, bottle feeding  and cuddling him, Bialy peacefully passed away in the early afternoon of Wednesday, Aug. 23. Deaths of puppies in a litter are not uncommon but nevertheless heartbreaking.

My fascinating of dog behavior starts early and I’m going to share a little video clip of each puppy and revealing my observation of their personality differences. We’ll see how these bear out as the next two weeks will be an explosion of firsts.