Winsome Silken Windhounds #2

Winsome’s puppy raising program focuses on early social development, aiming for confident and interactive puppies by 2-3 months of age. Puppies are raised entirely in the house, starting in a whelping box in the office for constant human interaction and cuddling. At 5 weeks, they move to a large exercise pen in the living room to acclimate to household noises, vacuuming, TV, and people.

They are introduced to outdoor environments early, going to a fenced yard from a covered deck as soon as they wake up. Crate training is emphasized, with puppies learning to feel secure and sleep in crates, which also helps them adjust to car rides. Puppies meet many people and children, and are exposed to chickens and horses.

The program incorporates fun activities to build confidence and problem-solving skills, such as exploring boxes for treats and navigating obstacle courses with ladders, ramps, and platforms. They are introduced to agility objects like small tunnels, A-frames, and tiny jumps. Positive reinforcement is key, with treats used to encourage recall and interaction. For show prospects, puppies are practiced in a “ring” at home and learn to stand on a table, gradually progressing to proper stacking and attention. The goal is for puppies to be confident, crate-trained, potty-trained, and know basic commands like “sit,” “wait,” “stand,” and “come here” before going to their new homes.

Policies

Winsome does not take reservations for puppies and does not keep a formal waitlist until puppies are born. For booking a chat, public times are not always available due to time constraints.

Winsome Silken Windhounds is a small kennel located in Redmond, Washington, specializing in breeding Silken Windhounds. Their primary focus is on producing dogs with exceptional temperaments, health, and quality, aiming for “dual champions” that excel in conformation showing and racing, as well as being loving family companions.

Their puppies are raised entirely in the house, starting in a draft-free office for early cuddling and interaction, then moving to the living room at 5 weeks for exposure to household noises and people. They are committed to providing experiences that support social development, including exposure to various environments, chickens, and horses.

The puppy raising program at Winsome includes crate training, teaching basic house manners, and practicing recall. They introduce puppies to dog sports like lure coursing, agility, and show ring practice, emphasizing positive reinforcement and building confidence. Winsome does not take reservations for puppies or maintain a formal waitlist until puppies are born. They occasionally have adult Silkens available for placement in suitable homes.

The kennel operates with the support of the “Winsome Family,” including Iola, Charliann, Nic, and a network of co-own homes. They offer opportunities to chat about their breeding program via scheduled phone calls or through their Discord server.

Accomplishments

Winsome Silken Windhounds has a history of breeding accomplished dogs. Their dogs have earned numerous conformation and racing titles, including UKC Grand Champion and ISWS Championship. Tavi was the top LGRA Silken in 2018, undefeated, and second in all-breeds that year, also placing third in ASFA. Moon achieved ISWS Champion and ASFA Field Champion titles, becoming a Dual Champion. Winsome’s Zenyatta was awarded WB, BOW, and BISS at SilkenFest 2016. Tootsie, a foundation bitch, won an AOM in Best of Breed, Best Veteran, and contributed to winning Brood Bitch at SilkenFest 2016, with one of her get taking BISS.

How to Get Started!

To get started, interested individuals can reach out via the “Contact Us” page, especially if there is a specific litter of interest or if they wish to discuss the breeding program. The best way to contact Winsome is through Discord, where they are usually accessible almost immediately. Alternatively, individuals can book a time to chat via a scheduling form on their website, which will provide their contact information via email. An application form is also available to provide information and allow Winsome to reach out.