Re: swab kits & additional notes GH

[Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>]

At 08:26 AM 10/28/01 -0800, you wrote:
>Hi Gina,
>We recieved our kits and I had a question, do we do all six swabs at
>once (in a row) or do one a day? I would like to get started right away
>to get them in the mail asap! Thanks so much for doing this, what a
>service.

Hi Patty & Karin who wrote me privately about the swab kits.

Here is what we did:

1. As noted in the instructions wash hands, between dogs, and don't swab 
the dog right after feeding them, I did ours in the AM before   feeding.

2. With each swab you need to fill out the info requested on the package 
the swab is in, I did this before opening each swab all 6.

3. Then I opened each swab and pulled the end out enough so I could get 
ahold of the swab, being careful to not touch the brush of the swab and 
adding my DNA, and put them all in a line.  As I did each swab I set them 
aside so I knew I was done with that one.

4. Yes you do the swabs all at the same time.  What worked best for us was 
to have George hold the dog between his legs and rub ears while I placed 
the swabs between the top cheek and applied a bit of pressure and twirled 
the swab and rubbed it back and forth as the goal is to get skin sells not 
just saliva.

5. Tape the ends of each swab closed and rubber band them back together 
with the rubber band supplied.

6. Fill out the form, yes the registration number is the AKC #

7. make a copy of your pedigree and enclose it, or if you don't have access 
to a copy machine you can make a note that says, this puppy (give call 
name) is a sibling to Ditto for Daisy or for Milka this puppy is a sibling 
to Reo. I sent pedigrees in.  I also sent Cheryl a comprehensive list so 
she should be able to match up who is who as long as you provide your name 
and the dogs call name or she can get with me if she gets confused.

8. Medical information, this only pertains to those dogs who have been 
screened a copy of the eye doc's report is what this refers to.  For 
instance Ditto was screened so I sent a copy of her eye report.  Reo was 
not (too young)  so there was nothing to send.

Hope this helps everyone down the road as I anticipate that as the dust 
settles other litters will be called upon

                                                                        & 
**********************  &

Karin also made a note to me that Milka does not like to be brushed and 
would prefer to bite at the hair brush.  This is normal puppy stuff and a 
display of dominance a test of the battle of wits.  Similar to the issues 
with Lucy who was growling at Libby and family when asked to get off the 
couch.  Do Not Ask, Tell!  If you do not take the upper hand over all of 
these issues as trifle as they may seem you are letting the puppy win and 
that is not good.  My suggestion is a good scruff shake.  This is not a 
harsh correction, just a gab and a hold,  in human terms a very begin 
action but to a dog a wake me up.

I know you all want to treat your dogs with respect and for them to grow up 
and be model citizens and the keys to this are to be firm and 
consistent.  Here is the thing, some of these puppies are not being 
respectful.  Dogs always have to learn and know in their head that when 
push comes to shove it goes MY Way period there is no negotiation.  Dogs 
need direction, not un similar to human children, however dogs can not be 
reasoned with in the same manners as humans.  Dogs need black and white and 
do not deal well with anything less.  Do not compromise , you can 
not.  These are all simple issues right now and I am glad that all of you 
who are having issues are recognizing issues and asking for help.  Good Job!

In closing, this list is set up for and for those that have already gone 
though this and do not have a comment the delete key is always available. :-))

Best,

Gina