How the Luck of the Irish litter puppies learn differently
By Jennifer Stoeckl, MAT - Dire Wolf Project CEO, April 22, 2024
This week, Jay and I have been guiding the five Luck of the Irish litter puppies to explore with confidence their ever-expanding world.
Their little personalities really blossom at this age.
Just like a large human family, each puppy has a different way to learn and express itself.
And it is SO FUN to experience!
Here’s a little taste of how each puppy learns.
PATRICK
Let’s talk about Patrick first.
He is the character of the puppy pack.
He laughs, tells jokes, enjoys belly rubs, and loves to explore and learn.
He is very eager to be with people and experience new adventures.
He tries new things easily.
And doesn’t give up without good effort.
It didn’t take Patrick long to place his feet down onto the step below.
Once he understood that his head would have to be lower than his rear, he walked right down the short steps without any hesitation.
He also walked confidently through the tunnel the first time.
What a little explorer he is.
I know he’s going to be perfect for his new family.
As long as they don’t let him get away with being too goofy and mischievous.
*wink, wink
CLOVER
Clover, too, takes charge of herself with a confident air.
She is bold and tries new tasks all by herself.
And while she isn’t as silly as her brother, Patrick, she does have that winning attitude that she can do it, even if it looks hard.
Clover did not hesitate on the tunnel and walked straight through… almost as if she said, “Psssssh. This is easy. I got this.”
She hesitated on the steps, but only for a moment.
Once she went down the first time, she owned the little steps from then on.
Clover is a fighter.
She isn’t going to let life get her down.
She is confident and self-assured, so her new owners should be on their toes.
Don’t let her think she can get the upper hand.
If she keeps a healthy respect for authority, she will be the best dog you’ve ever owned.
A great gal.
DELANEY
Delaney is the thinker of the group.
She analyzes a situation before stepping into something that makes her unsure.
She takes her time and uses her senses to find out if its safe before moving forward.
Delaney will whine (under her breath) if she is not confident she can do it.
On the stairs, she stood at the edge looking down.
Her mind told her it was too far.
It really is difficult for young puppies to grasp placing their head down while their rear is elevated, which is what must happen for a dog when going down steps.
It’s almost a leap of faith, at first.
And for a puppy who needs to know about something before being brave enough to try, like Delaney, it can be very difficult to take that first step on the faith that it will be okay once you land.
I could see Delaney’s uncertainty as she whined ever so softly looking down from that step.
So, I took her front feet very gently - giving her physical cues all along the way so that I wouldn’t shock or surprise her, which would cause her to tighten and resist - and guided her front feet the few inches down to the ground.
Once she experienced this new sensation of head down/butt up, she knew it wasn’t as difficult as she thought.
After this first guidance, she tried again all on her own.
The family who has the pleasure of choosing Delaney as their forever pup can help her by being respectful of her need to analyze a new situation before acting.
If she has the chance to stop and look around first, she’ll assess everything and then be able to continue with confidence.
She’s a sensitive pup with keen observance and awareness.
This trait would come in very handy if she learned that her awareness and desire to observe first could aid another human who had trouble in life.
But she would have to master her confidence, first.
So a family who understands how to keep and build confidence in an intelligent, thinking type of puppy would be perfect for Delaney.
LUCKY CHARMS
Lucky is the chill, even-tempered brother in the family.
He goes with the flow.
Takes life as it comes.
Doesn’t sweat the small stuff.
His personality has really sharpened since exploring a larger space outdoors.
He tries new things, but he doesn’t rush.
His mind doesn’t panic, at least not outwardly.
Lucky doesn’t hesitate, but neither does he boldly or energetically move.
Instead, he plods along with a sense of secure self-confidence.
The epitome of the gentle giant.
He is going to be an excellent dog.
Lucky Charms would do best in a family who isn’t going to need an active or energetic dog.
He will play, but it’s controlled play.
In fact, his emotions always seem to be in control.
He walked down the rainbow tunnel with slow, methodical movements.
He tried the steps right away, but moved his body with deliberate motion.
A great pup, right here.
Don’t pass this one up!
DUBLIN
This puppy is a momma’s boy.
He LOVES being pampered.
Dublin is emotionally sensitive.
He doesn’t like to be confused… and new tasks confuse him.
This large and imposing fluff monster wants help with new tasks.
He kinda gets worried if he has to do a difficult task all on his own.
Emotional support and encouragement help this boy be brave.
Dublin is going to enter the DireWolf Guardians Dog Training Program when his brothers and sisters go to their new homes.
Knowing he has a desire to seek help and support from humans will help me individualize his training.
We’ll want to give him tasks where he can succeed and build his confidence.
We’ll also want to allow him to try on his own and give him encouragement, but not take his learning from him by helping him out of predicaments that he can do himself.
He’ll have to learn that, sometimes, it’s okay to feel sad or confused.
He’s such a baby.
But I really love the sweet side of this boy.
Like Ferdinand the bull, he doesn’t know how special he truly is.
But we’ll help him get there.
Delaney and Lucky are still hoping to find their forever homes.
If you have been approved and think you might be the right family, reply to this email and we’ll chat.
In order to become approved, you must complete our puppy adoption questionnaire. Here’s the link:
https://direwolfdogs.com/puppy-application/
Jennifer Stoeckl is the co-founder of the Dire Wolf Project, founder of the DireWolf Guardians American Dirus Dog Training Program, and owner/operator of DireWolf Dogs of Vallecito. She lives in the beautiful inland northwest among the Ponderosa pine forests with her pack of American Dirus dogs.
Patrick 4 weeks
Clover 4 weeks
Delaney 4 weeks
Lucky Charms 3 weeks
Dublin 3 weeks