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Here is an outline of some of things you should know about your puppies first few days of life.
WHELPING & DELIVERY
We are very hands on during the whelping of our little ones. We help the new mother deliver and dry each baby make sure they nurse well and record each ones weight and markings. Throughout the next few weeks, each baby is weighed often to ensure they are steadily gaining weight. Slow weight gain or weight loss can be a first sign that something is wrong, especially in the first 2 weeks of life.
BATHING & GROOMING
Starting from birth we massage their little feet when we hold them and clip their toenails every other week so that they get used to this important part of grooming. For the first 8 weeks your puppy's toenails will be kept clipped and the hair on the bottom of their footpads is also kept neatly trimmed up. Trimmed footpads help keep them cleaner and the more hands on I am... the better for you the new owner and your groomer! When I give baths I always make sure the water is nice and warm, I use a tearless shampoo and massage them so they feel good in the bath. I also heat up my towels in the dryer to keep them from getting too cold while drying off. By the time you come to pick up your new puppy, it has probably had two or three bath & blow drys.
HEALTH EXAMS & RECORDS
Our puppies first vet visit is at 2-3 days of age. Puppy dewclaws are skillfully removed by our veterinarian to prevent them from being accidentally torn as an adult. Our new babies owners really appreciate not having to worry about them.
You will recieve your babies health record in your puppy pack. It is a hard copy that has wormings and vaccinations recorded along with the lable off the vaccine bottle so that your vet knows exactly what your puppy has been vaccinated for. BY INCLUDING THE VACCINE LABLES THIS WILL ENSURE YOUR VET THAT THE BREEDER (whom he/she has no knowledge of) HAS INDEED HAD YOUR PUPPY VACCINATED. I think this is something every breeder should do!
puppies are de-wormed 2,3,4,6,8 and 10 weeks before it leaves for it's new home. The deworming dates and the names of the medication used will be on your puppy health record.
I start using frontline on the puppies at 8 weeks. The adualt dogs in the house have it applied to them every month to keep the flee population under controll.
POTTY TRAINING
Our puppies are raised and socialized in a smoke free environment. I use a modified version of the misty method of training. Each puppy will be litter box trained. When you take them home you will need to take them out to potty often, maybe every half hour or so when they are active and always immediately after they wake up from a nap. As they get older they will be able to "hold it" for longer periods of time. Also, if you have a large home you may want to gait of a room such as a kitchen etc., so that the puppy can more quickly become accustomed to it's surroundings and designated potty areas.
FEEDING
We are feeling a raw diet to all of our dogs. If your interested in it I would be happy to give you lots of info on it as well as several great books to read. We also offer them quality kibble from Nutro and they all are water bottle trained.
IN CONCLUSION:
I hope that you have enjoyed reading about your puppies first weeks of life here! I am always glad to take the time to answer any questions you may have so feel free to ask. My goal is to provide you with a well adjusted, happy companion for many years to come!
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