Croaking Toad Shih Tzu

Strawberry thought she might like to get involved in a soccer game. Sully on the other hand did not want to hang around and find out if the soccer game was going to come his way. When the big dogs get focused on a game the puppies learn real fast to stay out of their way!

Puppy Bowl? The big dogs wanted in on the action. If it looks like an Easter egg hunt it is because they were looking for the little rubber footballs. Once they scored a football all they had on their mind was escaping the field and hiding out so no one could intercept their play.

olympic training

Team Croaking Toad training for the downhill.

Just two kids enjoying a snow day.

Snow soccer

If anyone tells you that Shih Tzu do not like snow they have not met mine. Mine were very happy that the lake effect snow band set up over us.

Little mouse

I think Coco is related to a mouse🐭

Fishering puppies

Looks like the puppies have been out fishing this morning. My young grandson, Brady, thinks it was a toy box they were fishing in

Naughty Puppies.

Fast friends

This is why I like keeping puppies in multiples. When it is time to add future parents into the family I try to work it out that I keep at least two. In theory it is easier because they have each other to keep entertained, when I’m busy, but the reality is two together keep me entertained. These two can turn any space into a race course. They run in the rain and the heat. I bet they will love the snow. Leo most always is in Ellie’s dust.

Rosie’s favorite activity is playing soccer. She is excellent and will not stop regardless how long the game goes on. Rosie is always the last one playing. Today her on-board kids defeated her.

Going up is always easier than going down. But they just can’t resist the going up part!!

Snow play

Not everyone is a fan of this cold weather but the dogs love it. They can play unhampered without being slowed down by clinging snowballs.

baby sitter

Mornings are busy with the babies wanting attention when they first get up and the big dogs wanting breakfast. Ruby babysits for me so I can get breakfast put together for everyone. Of course she is so much fun to watch playing with the babies that I still was slow getting breakfast served and morning walks got started late.

Soccer Mom

We have a confirmed pregnancy for Rosie. The term Soccer mom takes on a new meaning where Rosie is concerned. This upcoming mom would not happily sit on the side lines and watch others play soccer. To see information about this upcoming litter visit my website www.croakingtoadshihtzupuppies.com

Mine

Another favorite indoor play game. This stool has been around for 20 yrs and has been a favorite of every Croaking Toad litter.

Table for 15

Table for 15 please!!

Dot

Jessie in hot pursuit of the dot.

Christmas toy

On a cold wet blustery morning the little girls opted to stay in and play with their new Christmas present.

Going out to Potty

In response to multiple emails asking how to train a puppy to potty on command I have put a potty training page on my website. http://croakingtoadshihtzupuppies.com/potty%20training.html In this video Poppy is demonstrating the two techniques we teach puppies to help with potty training. Getting from point A to B and going potty and command. She was a bit confused because I couldn't do the normal clapping, involved, and I had locked the big dogs away so they would not dominate the video.

piggy piggy

Alan is very attracted to loud annoying sounds. He loves the piggy and also loves to play with the windchime and often howls along with them as they jangle. Everyone ought to have a grandaughter like mine who is so helpful.

The puppy call

The puppies have started to go to their new homes but before any left we caught this short video of them reponding to the "puppy call" . More amazing than them coming, when called, was that it only took 3 days to finally get the video to load over our slow connection! Today Shelby's puppies are 7 weeks old. The camera has been put away until our October litters arrive. Having had to take 7 week old pictures of 6 litters has convinced me I need to stop taking their pictures at 6 weeks old!!

gale

Gale is the last puppy from Monkey's litter still available. To see more information on Gale visit my website www.croakingtoadshihtzupuppies.com

4 wk old puppy play

Monkey's kids love playing outside.

hello

Jackson says Hello.

where is the dot?

Another game for the babies.

Superbowl

The puppies had a fun Superbowl party. They did not care who won or if the commercials were funny .. only that the grand kids came to the party.

Ralphie

Ralpie is the last of the big puppies waiting to go home. He plays well with Shelby's younger puppies but .. well they are younger and sleep more. I introduced Ralphie to a new friend. One that never gets tired!

snow play

A 40 degree day wedge between two very cold spells just seemed like it was begging to have some puppies come out and play. I especially wanted Walnut to get a chance to play in the snow as he will soon be going to his home in warmer climates and this might be his only chance to play in the white stuff.

Bark Bark

Bailey's puppies can play this game ALL day long.

indoor play time

It may be snowing and cold outside put the puppies are finding plenty to do during indoor play time.

fox tail

This is how play time with the fox tail always goes. Walnut talks big to it ... puppies try to play with it ... Rosie in the end always catches the tail and drags it around the room. Little Finn and Olaf would really like a chance to play with it.

Got your tail

Izzy's good little girls are 8 weeks old and will soon be leaving to their new homes. In the meantime they keep us entertained and warm with snuggles.

After today the puppies will all be in their new homes. It is going to be a lot quieter in our house!

After today the puppies will all be in their new homes. It is going to be a lot quieter in our house!

max masters the doggy door

The puppies start going home today. This has been a fun group of puppies and the nice weather has made being outside with them enjoyable. Max (who has managed to earn the nick name Wally) often goes missing and I can find him running around the house. This dog door he has figured out is not an easy door to open. It has strong magnets on all three sides.

wait command

I HAD A FEW EMAILS ASKING THE TRICK TO WALKING MULTIPLE DOGS ON EXPANDABLE LEASHES. I'M REPOSTING A POST FROM LAST YEAR THAT SHOWS WHAT MAY NOT BE A TRICK BUT A TOOL TO MAKE IT EASIER. I took this video this morning to share with someone on how the wait command can be helpful when walking dogs. There have been comments on some of my posts wondering how it is possible to walk 4 and 5 dogs on expandable leases at the same time. This video shows my older group demonstrating the wait command. I use this command at home and walks. Basically I'm playing freeze tags with my dogs. When I say WAIT. They know they are to stop wherever and whatever they are doing. It is great while walking. I say wait and then they stay put while I do what needs to be done .. pick up potty bombs, pull a burr out of an arm pit and yes at times untangle hopelessly tangled leashes. Most important is I can tell them to wait and then walk to them until the leashes are the length I want them to be and lock them down for passing people on the trail in a tight group.

Rosie and gang

Poor Rosie. She loves to play ball and she would even be willing to play keep away with someone .. but ... she is not a fan when they decide to just chase her around being annoying while she is trying to get some serious ball handling practice done.

snow puppies

Some how a quick trip out to go potty always turns into play time.

Mattie

In theory potty training a puppy in the winter is the easiest time to potty train. Less distractions like leaves, sticks, grass and the cold weather should help them want to get it done and back to the house. Mattie obviously didn't read the book of theory. And how she can find a leaf, in all that snow, to play with, while she is suppose to be looking for a potty spot is a mystery. Mattie is one of three Radar daughters I've held back. Radar can produce some smaller end pups and I have my fingers crossed that Mattie and little Shelby will grow big enough to be future moms.

Bailey's pups are ready to go home. One last look at the furr...

Bailey's pups are ready to go home. One last look at the furry 5 before they head off for their new adventures.

Piper is showing her kids the best door to use to go out and go potty. No surprise that Monkey is the first down. She earned her name weeks before I knew I was going to keep her. With her dark little face she looks like a monkey and she is clever and agile. Laid back Boomer usually is right behind Monkey but he looked like he wanted to try the tobogganing technique this morning. Little Shelby is sweet and cuddly and being little stairs take some concentration.