It Takes a Village...Or...a Pack!

The Labradoodles that come in-and-out of the revolving doodle door (those who live with us, with guardian families, or pets who visit often) all seem to cooperate amazingly well as a dog "pack". Their collective responsibilities include rearing the puppies born into the pack. The older dogs model good behaviors (both canine and human-imposed) and correct the babies when they go astray. Now that Mom Whitney has gone home to her family, sometimes we see the dogs taking on other parenting duties...

Daddy Topper is demonstrating to little "Oliver" how to share toys nicely with Vixen.

"Dad, you're not using that bone right now, are you?"

Somehow, the dogs all know that the puppies in the pack need to eat too.

Such a good Dad!

Spreading some of that Topper Love with little "Walter"...

...and illustrating the proper technique for a refreshing back rub to "Maui".   

Bibi and Holly collaborate on the most effective strategies for disciplining wayward puppies...

...and clearly have found an effective one!

Dad is still supervising out of the corner of his eye...

...with extra backup just-in-case.

Topper passes on his loving and calm nature to his puppies.

After Mama Whitney left, Auntie Bibi immediately took over as chief Steward to the Royals.  We gave her a brick of Primal brand frozen raw chicken, which is one of her most favorite treats of all. But instead of chomping it down on the spot as she usually does, she carried it off, jumped into the Royal Box, and deposited the tasty morsel right in the middle of their bed.  (What a good stand-in Mama she is!) Bibi sleeps right outside their box, to keep a closer eye on them.

Finishing School

The Royals were happy to return to the Puppy Palace following their official Health Checks and spay/neuters by the Royal Veterinarian on Tuesday! All puppies received a "Normal" on their vet exams, and were in excessively fine and lively moods. We are channeling their energies into the final stages of the pre-training  before they venture off to form new alliances with other noble families of the region.

The "Recall" is one of the more useful skills to master. 

Well-mannered Royals "shake" upon request.

All of the puppies have demonstrated a reliable "Sit" by now. 

"Best Foot Forward in leash-training!"

Her Serene Highness

This sweet girl is excels in demonstrating calm elegance and regal bearing befitting her noble birth 

The Social Graces

Learning the subtle and intricate courtesies demanded in canine social interaction is an important part of the Royal upbringing...

Eager for the morning engagements to commence!

Decorum (and caution) are appropriate in all situations.

The Royals graciously greet the public (through the protective glass!)

A Princeling deviates from the Offical Royal itinerary...

...causing great concern to the Queen Bee...

...and greatly alarming the Ministers of the Interior!

Security respectfully suggests that he return to the Enclosure.

Princess Tanuki (5 months old), who aspires to step into her mom Lola's (size "Alpha") shoes, also enjoys assisting in the education of the younger Royals! 

Life is not all fun-and-games for the Royals! They also have many tedious duties to fulfill...

...Such as interviewing and selecting future "Staff"...

...issuing commands to existing Staff...

...and overseeing the work of the Royal chauffeur!

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It is important for young pups to master canine communication skills so that they do not commit (possibly dangerous faux pas when they meet strange dogs in public. This is an interesting and pertinent video about how the wolf-keepers at Busch Gardens use a female dog to keep rescued wolf cubs submissive to ease their future introduction to the larger pack:

At Home with The "Royal" Family

The excitement and glamor of the "Royal" lifestyle tends to attract pup-parazzi and others...

Miss Minnie for one has found a way to crash the private luncheon 

But security intervenes and she is unceremoniously put outside the walls

Puppies as well-bred as these know to say "Please" with a "sit" before they are rewarded with anything at all...

The puppies are going through the weaning process, which can be stressful to them, but Whitney still has a smile on her face during one of the infrequent nursings, even though  the puppies collectively outweigh her! 

"Last call at the milk-bar...!"

Minnie ("the Moocher"!)

Little Minnie keeps a deferential low-profile with her sibs and the big dogs, but like the smart little girl that she is, knows a good opportunity when she sees one...

The Royals' dinner seems like an easy target



"Run away, run away!"



"Mom...!  She's taking our dinner!"

Foiled!