"Train up a puppy in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it" PawVerbs 22:6
Puppy protocol
When the potential due dates for a litter arrive, there is very little sleep to be had. The first stages of labor can last from 3 hours to 3 days. Fortunately we are able to observe the expectant mother via surveillance cameras, which gives her the privacy and quiet that she needs to reduce her stress level. All of our whelping suites have professional whelping boxes that make mom feel safe and secure. I have a real issue with those who whelp in “kiddie pools” but that is a whole discussion on its own.
Once labor is eminent, I move into the whelping room with mom. All of our breeding females have a strong trust with my presence and understand and desire my support. Whelping a litter normally lasts 6 to 12 hours and often mom becomes exhausted through the process and is grateful for my help, cleaning, stimulating pups and offering her high energy snacks. Once I am sure that the litter is all accounted for and healthy I do a final clean up and get some sleep while I monitor the new litter via the surveillance camera. Our whelping rooms are constructed in such a way that the entire environment can be dismantled steam cleaned and sanitized between litters.
On day 2 or 3 when I put mom out for a potty break, I will sneak the newborns into the vet for an initial exam and to remove tails and dewclaws. On day three the puppies begin their daily ENS (early neurological stimulation). This is a process developed and implemented by the military for their service dogs that enhances both the immune system and the temperament of the pups in adulthood. A more detailed explanation can be found via the internet. Also I begin clipping puppy toenails for the comfort of mom and do so about every 3 days while they are nursing. At this stage, Mom does most of the work and my duties are tending to the comforts of mom, continuous changing of the whelping box padding and daily weights of the pups.
Week two is their first fecal check and worm for both Mom and pups. Having been a vet tech, I have my own in house lab and microscope which allows me to closely monitor the health of all my dogs. Eyes and ears are beginning to open, and while we are all anxious to see the changes I will only do limited photography as I can not imagine that camera flash is good for their new little eyes.
Week 3 begins the introduction of puppy food, potty training and the start of weaning. The potty training introduction at this age is a time consuming process, however, it is amazing how most of the litter will develop an understanding so young. The puppies are mobile now and my steam cleaner and washing machine never stop running. While ENS has ended, socialization skills continue with the introduction of sounds from our sound bank that includes everything from fireworks to cat and bird sounds. By the time puppies are ready for their new home they are desensitized to problem sounds like thunderstorms, fireworks, crying babies, crowds, road traffic, tractors, vacuum cleaners and much more.
Week 4 the pups are on solid food and nearly weaned from mom. Another fecal check and worming. Potty training is usually about 90% by this time and I begin the process of new environments. 3 times a day the pups are moved to a new environment that has different surfaces, different toys, and different stimulation. In the meantime I am able to completely sanitize the environment that they were just in. Our surfaces include, slippery, soft, prickly and so forth. They have small obstacles to step up on and step down from, tunnels, small slides and wobble boards. Not to mention every type of toy known to man. By the end of week 4 if the weather cooperates we get to venture outside.
Week 5 and we are regularly going outside. You will notice in the pictures that our play areas have a fine wood shavings base. This footing provides a multitude of positive attributes. I can remove it and replace it. It sticks to poop like kitty litter and fleas and insects hate it. I do take them for walks in the grass, but I keep it pretty short, just enough for a good romp. On week 5 we are changing environments 6 to 9 times a day. The environmental stimulus truly impacts the puppy's confidence level for new places, new things, and new people. I also begin to separate them into smaller and different groups so no puppy is dependent on one sibling. Also, we are acclimating to the outdoor temperatures. Puppies tolerate the cold much better than the heat and it is a daily evaluation of how much time they spend in the outdoor temperatures. Starting at 5 weeks I enforce “no bite” and "no" in general.
Week 6 includes fecal check, worming and their first vaccinations. I also introduce them to a noose collar around the neck and expect them to stand on the grooming table for their brushing and nail trims. This is a great introduction to the collar and leash. Because they realize they are up high and if they fight the collar they step off the table, they think of the collar as a safe guide instead of a restraint. Believe me, I am right there to catch them when they step off, and they get a treat when they stand appropriately. Week 6 is the age of insanity. When I watch the pups on camera, they look like they are having a perpetual pillow fight with feathers flying everywhere and then it’s time to dig in the water pail and splash water everywhere. Thankfully it is just a phase and only lasts for about 3 days. We now have access to all the play areas and often times they will accompany me to do the big dog chores. They love when I run the hose in the big dog kennel and can have a puppy slip and slide. We continue to acclimate to outdoor temperatures
Week 7 repeats week 6, however the pups come to a natural realization that indoors is for calmer activity and they now vent their energy outdoors. At the end of 7 weeks, beginning of 8 weeks they have their last worming, a second vaccination and a final veterinary exam before pick up. Meanwhile, I am also very busy finalizing all the paperwork, registrations, pick up schedules and flights for the pups transition to their new families.
I hope that I have been able to give you some insight to the rearing and developing of the puppy that you will cherish. I must say that these brief outlines are only the highlights of my time and devotion I give to each and every puppy I raise. The ability to monitor the litters 24/7 via remote camera gives me great insight (and entertainment) to each puppy’s progress. It bears mentioning, that I have 8 adult dogs that also need personal attention, grooming, exercise and play. Beyond that we are a ranch with cattle and horses.
That being said, I am never too busy for your phone call or questions. Puppy pictures will be updated approximately once a week. I do not do videos. Our internet and phone service is not able to support them. At times the weather, the internet or the needs of our animals can delay the arrival of new puppy pictures. I am as anxious for you to see your puppy as you are, but my first commitment is to the well being of all of the animals in our care.
When the big day comes to finally pick up your puppy, I am as excited as you are. Our ranch is very remote and not open to the public. I do not allow my own children or grandchildren (who live just down the road) to bring their dogs to visit, so if you are traveling with a 4 legged family member, please make provisions for him to stay comfortably in your vehicle.
You will certainly get to meet both sire and dam of your new puppy, as well as aunts and uncles. Potentially I will have females who are caring for young pups or close to whelping, for their emotional stability they will be in an area where they feel they can keep their puppies safe and unavailable for viewing.
While it would be fun to share and show you all the litter-mates of your new puppy, they all belong to someone else and I am very protective of them. I am quite certain that you wouldn’t want your pup passed about among strangers and exposed to an accidental mishap. The trust you have in me to care for the well being of your new family member is my number one priority.
When viewing the dog yards, you will undoubtedly notice the lack of vegetation. We have large shade trees, but no grass. The footing is a clay rock base. Frankly, I would love grass, but by killing the grass, I naturally repel insects, snakes, rodents and various prey animals. The wildlife in our rural setting is plentiful and beautiful but presents a variety of potential health issues to my precious Aussies and while we do take frequent runs through the pastures and swim the ponds, this management practice has provided the dogs a healthy environment to lounge and play safely.
When the potential due dates for a litter arrive, there is very little sleep to be had. The first stages of labor can last from 3 hours to 3 days. Fortunately we are able to observe the expectant mother via surveillance cameras, which gives her the privacy and quiet that she needs to reduce her stress level. All of our whelping suites have professional whelping boxes that make mom feel safe and secure. I have a real issue with those who whelp in “kiddie pools” but that is a whole discussion on its own.
Once labor is eminent, I move into the whelping room with mom. All of our breeding females have a strong trust with my presence and understand and desire my support. Whelping a litter normally lasts 6 to 12 hours and often mom becomes exhausted through the process and is grateful for my help, cleaning, stimulating pups and offering her high energy snacks. Once I am sure that the litter is all accounted for and healthy I do a final clean up and get some sleep while I monitor the new litter via the surveillance camera. Our whelping rooms are constructed in such a way that the entire environment can be dismantled steam cleaned and sanitized between litters.
On day 2 or 3 when I put mom out for a potty break, I will sneak the newborns into the vet for an initial exam and to remove tails and dewclaws. On day three the puppies begin their daily ENS (early neurological stimulation). This is a process developed and implemented by the military for their service dogs that enhances both the immune system and the temperament of the pups in adulthood. A more detailed explanation can be found via the internet. Also I begin clipping puppy toenails for the comfort of mom and do so about every 3 days while they are nursing. At this stage, Mom does most of the work and my duties are tending to the comforts of mom, continuous changing of the whelping box padding and daily weights of the pups.
Week two is their first fecal check and worm for both Mom and pups. Having been a vet tech, I have my own in house lab and microscope which allows me to closely monitor the health of all my dogs. Eyes and ears are beginning to open, and while we are all anxious to see the changes I will only do limited photography as I can not imagine that camera flash is good for their new little eyes.
Week 3 begins the introduction of puppy food, potty training and the start of weaning. The potty training introduction at this age is a time consuming process, however, it is amazing how most of the litter will develop an understanding so young. The puppies are mobile now and my steam cleaner and washing machine never stop running. While ENS has ended, socialization skills continue with the introduction of sounds from our sound bank that includes everything from fireworks to cat and bird sounds. By the time puppies are ready for their new home they are desensitized to problem sounds like thunderstorms, fireworks, crying babies, crowds, road traffic, tractors, vacuum cleaners and much more.
Week 4 the pups are on solid food and nearly weaned from mom. Another fecal check and worming. Potty training is usually about 90% by this time and I begin the process of new environments. 3 times a day the pups are moved to a new environment that has different surfaces, different toys, and different stimulation. In the meantime I am able to completely sanitize the environment that they were just in. Our surfaces include, slippery, soft, prickly and so forth. They have small obstacles to step up on and step down from, tunnels, small slides and wobble boards. Not to mention every type of toy known to man. By the end of week 4 if the weather cooperates we get to venture outside.
Week 5 and we are regularly going outside. You will notice in the pictures that our play areas have a fine wood shavings base. This footing provides a multitude of positive attributes. I can remove it and replace it. It sticks to poop like kitty litter and fleas and insects hate it. I do take them for walks in the grass, but I keep it pretty short, just enough for a good romp. On week 5 we are changing environments 6 to 9 times a day. The environmental stimulus truly impacts the puppy's confidence level for new places, new things, and new people. I also begin to separate them into smaller and different groups so no puppy is dependent on one sibling. Also, we are acclimating to the outdoor temperatures. Puppies tolerate the cold much better than the heat and it is a daily evaluation of how much time they spend in the outdoor temperatures. Starting at 5 weeks I enforce “no bite” and "no" in general.
Week 6 includes fecal check, worming and their first vaccinations. I also introduce them to a noose collar around the neck and expect them to stand on the grooming table for their brushing and nail trims. This is a great introduction to the collar and leash. Because they realize they are up high and if they fight the collar they step off the table, they think of the collar as a safe guide instead of a restraint. Believe me, I am right there to catch them when they step off, and they get a treat when they stand appropriately. Week 6 is the age of insanity. When I watch the pups on camera, they look like they are having a perpetual pillow fight with feathers flying everywhere and then it’s time to dig in the water pail and splash water everywhere. Thankfully it is just a phase and only lasts for about 3 days. We now have access to all the play areas and often times they will accompany me to do the big dog chores. They love when I run the hose in the big dog kennel and can have a puppy slip and slide. We continue to acclimate to outdoor temperatures
Week 7 repeats week 6, however the pups come to a natural realization that indoors is for calmer activity and they now vent their energy outdoors. At the end of 7 weeks, beginning of 8 weeks they have their last worming, a second vaccination and a final veterinary exam before pick up. Meanwhile, I am also very busy finalizing all the paperwork, registrations, pick up schedules and flights for the pups transition to their new families.
I hope that I have been able to give you some insight to the rearing and developing of the puppy that you will cherish. I must say that these brief outlines are only the highlights of my time and devotion I give to each and every puppy I raise. The ability to monitor the litters 24/7 via remote camera gives me great insight (and entertainment) to each puppy’s progress. It bears mentioning, that I have 8 adult dogs that also need personal attention, grooming, exercise and play. Beyond that we are a ranch with cattle and horses.
That being said, I am never too busy for your phone call or questions. Puppy pictures will be updated approximately once a week. I do not do videos. Our internet and phone service is not able to support them. At times the weather, the internet or the needs of our animals can delay the arrival of new puppy pictures. I am as anxious for you to see your puppy as you are, but my first commitment is to the well being of all of the animals in our care.
When the big day comes to finally pick up your puppy, I am as excited as you are. Our ranch is very remote and not open to the public. I do not allow my own children or grandchildren (who live just down the road) to bring their dogs to visit, so if you are traveling with a 4 legged family member, please make provisions for him to stay comfortably in your vehicle.
You will certainly get to meet both sire and dam of your new puppy, as well as aunts and uncles. Potentially I will have females who are caring for young pups or close to whelping, for their emotional stability they will be in an area where they feel they can keep their puppies safe and unavailable for viewing.
While it would be fun to share and show you all the litter-mates of your new puppy, they all belong to someone else and I am very protective of them. I am quite certain that you wouldn’t want your pup passed about among strangers and exposed to an accidental mishap. The trust you have in me to care for the well being of your new family member is my number one priority.
When viewing the dog yards, you will undoubtedly notice the lack of vegetation. We have large shade trees, but no grass. The footing is a clay rock base. Frankly, I would love grass, but by killing the grass, I naturally repel insects, snakes, rodents and various prey animals. The wildlife in our rural setting is plentiful and beautiful but presents a variety of potential health issues to my precious Aussies and while we do take frequent runs through the pastures and swim the ponds, this management practice has provided the dogs a healthy environment to lounge and play safely.