Time is flying by and the puppies are already 5 1/2 weeks old! They are now little dogs that run, tug, bark, and chew on your shoes. A lot has changed in the last three weeks, it's time to catch up!
The puppies don't need momma Ellie much any more. She checks on them and nurses them about three times a day. We're working towards getting them fully weaned in the next week or so. She doesn't sleep with them anymore. They still have a small x-pen in the laundry room, but spend their nights in a kennel in the dog room. With the weather so nice, they have been spending much of the day outside in a double x-pen.
They started on puppy mush around 4 weeks old, and are now on dry puppy food. They drink water from a dish just like the big dogs. They love to carry toys and the girls have even introduced some of them to walking on a leash. They play in a tunnel and climb up and down steps. We'll add more agility equipment soon.
Today the puppies got their first bath! It was interesting to observe their personalities with this new experience. Tailor and Jokey fussed, Hefty didn't make a sound or struggle a bit. They are listening to CDs of household sounds, farm animal noises, and dog show racket. At night they listen to country music like the rest of the dogs. We raise good down-home, country dogs here!
Around 7 weeks old they'll go for their CERF(eye) exams and we'll do an evaluation of each puppy. At that time, based on my observations of temperament and personality, we'll start making decisions. First we pick which puppy or puppies stay with us. We've done the breeding with the intent of continuing our bloodlines, and will pick the pup/s that have the strengths we are looking for. I say that like it's purely science, but must admit that often it's certain puppies tugging at my heartstrings.
I'll admit right now that there is a certain...*cough*...MALE puppy that is begging to be mine. I told him that I'm not looking for a new puppy right now, and he's the wrong sex anyway. But then Tim reminds me that's exactly what I said about Ryder, and look how that turned out!
When we're sitting out on the lawn I watch the puppies carefully. I'd love to focus on how cute they are and who is pulling on the ear of another puppy, but what I watch is how they move. I scan for the puppy that is moving at a gait (trot), away from me, towards me, or just gliding across the yard. I watch for stride and topline and neck. I watch to see if they are converging or flipping a foot. When they stop I look for angles and presence. I always keep in mind that they are only 5 weeks old and still have a lot of developing to do. But even at this age I already know who has show potential and who will probably do better in a performance-only home.
When they are playing, I watch for temperament. I observe how they react when Macy picks one up or Drew goes running by like a banshee. Do they startle when a ball lands near them or the cat jumps in the pen with them? How far do they wander from the rest of the litter or from people? How quickly do they respond when they see people, or when we call 'puppy puppy' for them? How pushy are they when I open the gate, set down their food, or when they want attention, or down from being held. Honestly, we don't have any bullies in this litter. I have some that are more out-spoken or adventurous, but nobody is too dominant. None of the puppies are skittish or shy, although we've already seen them go through minor fear periods. Those tend to come and go extremely quickly as they grow.
Soon it will be time to make decisions. I love that many buyers rely on my input when choosing a pup. I always try to steer them towards the pup I feel is best for them, but still want them to have options. Obviously that depends on the waiting list and number of available puppies to the buyer. My favorite thing is to watch how puppies react to the buyers. Often I've watched puppies pick their person, only to get ignored as the person looks at another puppy. In the end, the puppy usually gets his/her way, once the buyer feels the same bond that the puppy already felt.
I know our time with this litter is drawing to an end. It's been wonderful (and confusing!) sharing our time with these seven blue merle babies. I'll be sad to see them go, but excited for each of them as they are paired up with a new owner. There is nothing better than sending a pup out the door knowing they have a great life ahead, and knowing that a special partnership has only just begun.
Showing posts with label puppies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label puppies. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Two weeks of new life.
It's time to check in on the litter. They are two and a half weeks old, and a lot has happened since I shared their birth story.
The first two weeks are always one of my favorite times. The mom is content to snuggle and nurse her babies. They sleep quietly most of the day and night. They stay in one place and really don't make much of a mess at all. We change their towels once a day and that's all of the maintenance their area requires. The mom keeps them clean and manages their toiletry needs.
One would think the first two weeks are quite boring. Actually, these puppies have been through some amazing adventures already! After surviving the harrowing experience of birth, they were rubbed and licked and pulled and rolled. Some even got to swing head-down to clear their airways. What an introduction to life! They were deaf and blind and knew nothing other than to smell their way to mom and nurse. They couldn't walk but pushed around with a swimming motion, shoving their heavy head in front of them. Soon they were able to lift their heads, climb over siblings, and sleep in creative positions.
The first few days of life included a trip to the vet. This is my least-favorite part of being an aussie breeder. The puppies need their tails and dewclaws removed, and need it done in the first few days of life. I always supervise this, although I hate hearing them squeak. Honestly, they yell more about being restrained by the tech than the actual procedure. As soon as they are back in the box they snuggle in and go back to sleep. I'm not sure who is more relieved when this is over, me or the mother dog. She checks over her babies and cleans all of the vet cooties off of them. They nurse and sleep and forget all about it.
We leave them alone the following day, but then it's right back to their education. Besides tons of holding and fondling, we do ENS. That's Early Neurological Stimulation. It's also called "Super-dog Program". There are five exercises that are performed on the puppies that are shown to stimulate brain function. They include holding them in different positions, touch stimulation, and thermal stimulation. This conditioning has been shown to produce puppies that are stronger, healthier, and more resistant to stress.
We also begin to introduce different surfaces. The puppies have crawled on towels, linoleum, wood floor, and several types of fabric. They have been carried and held in different positions, smelled many different smells, and slept in our laps. They have had their nails trimmed and mouths pried open.
As they reached the 2-week mark, their eyes and ear began to open. Now, just a few days over 2 weeks old, they can wobble around on all four legs, even climb up on the piggy rail in the whelping box. One puppy had to show off and walked all along the length of one rail. They can bark and growl. They are beginning to play and wrestle with each other and one even tried gumming a puppy toy tonight.
I can already see personalities developing as I watch them greet the world and interact with what is around them. In just 18 days of life they have gone from helpless little beings, to wobbly, curious little puppies. I watch in awe as they develop daily into the dogs they will be come. In another 2 weeks they will be bouncing around, bringing chaos to the house. Just 2 weeks after that they will no longer need their mommy. And yet just two weeks later, they will leave us, ready to take on the world and live their lives.
Their 18-day lives have already had an influence on who they will become. They are innocent, but I dream of what lies ahead of them. A great group of people wait to find out which puppy will join their families. These individuals have big dreams, I have great hope. Take your time growing up little ones, let us enjoy you for a while.
The first two weeks are always one of my favorite times. The mom is content to snuggle and nurse her babies. They sleep quietly most of the day and night. They stay in one place and really don't make much of a mess at all. We change their towels once a day and that's all of the maintenance their area requires. The mom keeps them clean and manages their toiletry needs.
One would think the first two weeks are quite boring. Actually, these puppies have been through some amazing adventures already! After surviving the harrowing experience of birth, they were rubbed and licked and pulled and rolled. Some even got to swing head-down to clear their airways. What an introduction to life! They were deaf and blind and knew nothing other than to smell their way to mom and nurse. They couldn't walk but pushed around with a swimming motion, shoving their heavy head in front of them. Soon they were able to lift their heads, climb over siblings, and sleep in creative positions.
The first few days of life included a trip to the vet. This is my least-favorite part of being an aussie breeder. The puppies need their tails and dewclaws removed, and need it done in the first few days of life. I always supervise this, although I hate hearing them squeak. Honestly, they yell more about being restrained by the tech than the actual procedure. As soon as they are back in the box they snuggle in and go back to sleep. I'm not sure who is more relieved when this is over, me or the mother dog. She checks over her babies and cleans all of the vet cooties off of them. They nurse and sleep and forget all about it.
We leave them alone the following day, but then it's right back to their education. Besides tons of holding and fondling, we do ENS. That's Early Neurological Stimulation. It's also called "Super-dog Program". There are five exercises that are performed on the puppies that are shown to stimulate brain function. They include holding them in different positions, touch stimulation, and thermal stimulation. This conditioning has been shown to produce puppies that are stronger, healthier, and more resistant to stress.
We also begin to introduce different surfaces. The puppies have crawled on towels, linoleum, wood floor, and several types of fabric. They have been carried and held in different positions, smelled many different smells, and slept in our laps. They have had their nails trimmed and mouths pried open.
As they reached the 2-week mark, their eyes and ear began to open. Now, just a few days over 2 weeks old, they can wobble around on all four legs, even climb up on the piggy rail in the whelping box. One puppy had to show off and walked all along the length of one rail. They can bark and growl. They are beginning to play and wrestle with each other and one even tried gumming a puppy toy tonight.
I can already see personalities developing as I watch them greet the world and interact with what is around them. In just 18 days of life they have gone from helpless little beings, to wobbly, curious little puppies. I watch in awe as they develop daily into the dogs they will be come. In another 2 weeks they will be bouncing around, bringing chaos to the house. Just 2 weeks after that they will no longer need their mommy. And yet just two weeks later, they will leave us, ready to take on the world and live their lives.
Their 18-day lives have already had an influence on who they will become. They are innocent, but I dream of what lies ahead of them. A great group of people wait to find out which puppy will join their families. These individuals have big dreams, I have great hope. Take your time growing up little ones, let us enjoy you for a while.
Monday, January 23, 2012
New life is coming to town!
For as long as I can remember, I have loved dogs. From the young age when I started showing, I dreamed of being a breeder and producing fine dogs. I dreamed of litters of puppies that I had researched and planned. I dreamed of watching those puppies grow, sending them into the perfect homes, and watching them become dogs that I could be proud of. I dreamed of entering a competition with a dog of my own breeding at the end of my leash.
Dreams can come true.
We have a Revelaire litter due in just over a week. This will be our 7th litter. It's time to set up the whelping box, hook up the video monitor, get out the supplies, and panic a bit. Yep, having puppies is a very nerve-wracking event! I've given birth four times, but I am much more nervous whelping a litter. Every move, every decision, every problem that comes along is my responsibility. While this moment is exactly what we planned, prayed, and bred for, it's also the scariest part of breeding dogs.
When all goes well, it's a beautiful event. I prefer the times when I get to sit back and watch, take notes, weigh pups, and just observe the wonder of nature. It's as exciting as Christmas! When each puppy arrives, you get a quick glimpse at the color as mom does her job. Then I anxiously await my chance to move in and peek at the sex. As long as mom is active and competent, I stay out of the way and let her do the work. She chews and crushes the umbilical cord, licks to clean and dry the pup, and helps each pup find his/her way to nurse. In the end, you have a litter of beautiful puppies nursing on an exhausted, but joyful momma dog.
But then there are times of tears and pain. The times you fight for life and do anything you can to save your bitch. All the time, knowing you got her into this and you will do anything to make sure she lives through it. The times you have a lifeless newborn in your hands that may live or die because of what you do next. You may save the baby, or you may have to eventually make the decision to set that one aside and move on to help another. You may have a puppy that is struggling to breathe, pass away in your hands. Or you rush your bitch to the vet to save her life, only to lose the litter. Or you lose the bitch, but save a litter of orphans. With life, comes the chance of death, and there is nothing as heart-breaking as holding a baby being in your hands that never got a chance to live. He or she never got to know what it is to love and cuddle, never would play with a ball, or run through a tunnel.
After a long, hard event, you are left with a box full of potential and responsibility. The blind/deaf newborns are at the mercy of your care. Their momma will provide the milk, you provide the safety, comfort, and clean environment. Their journey begins.
So now I wait. This last week and a half we'll pamper Miss Ellie as she prepares to enter motherhood. I plan to blog about the delivery, as well as follow the development and experience of this litter. Obviously it goes perfectly with the title and intention of my blog.
As her time approaches, I prepare for a long, sleepless night of worry and anticipation. I'm not sure who is more relieved in the end when it's all over, me or the momma dog. I love the point when I feed and potty the momma, change the bedding in the box, and tuck in the new family, all warm and cozy. Then if I can, I sneak off to bed for a few hours of sleep, waking occasionally to peak at the video monitor, lulled to my dreams by the squeak of nursing newborns. My heart is fulfilled. Yes, dreams do come true.
Dreams can come true.
We have a Revelaire litter due in just over a week. This will be our 7th litter. It's time to set up the whelping box, hook up the video monitor, get out the supplies, and panic a bit. Yep, having puppies is a very nerve-wracking event! I've given birth four times, but I am much more nervous whelping a litter. Every move, every decision, every problem that comes along is my responsibility. While this moment is exactly what we planned, prayed, and bred for, it's also the scariest part of breeding dogs.
When all goes well, it's a beautiful event. I prefer the times when I get to sit back and watch, take notes, weigh pups, and just observe the wonder of nature. It's as exciting as Christmas! When each puppy arrives, you get a quick glimpse at the color as mom does her job. Then I anxiously await my chance to move in and peek at the sex. As long as mom is active and competent, I stay out of the way and let her do the work. She chews and crushes the umbilical cord, licks to clean and dry the pup, and helps each pup find his/her way to nurse. In the end, you have a litter of beautiful puppies nursing on an exhausted, but joyful momma dog.
But then there are times of tears and pain. The times you fight for life and do anything you can to save your bitch. All the time, knowing you got her into this and you will do anything to make sure she lives through it. The times you have a lifeless newborn in your hands that may live or die because of what you do next. You may save the baby, or you may have to eventually make the decision to set that one aside and move on to help another. You may have a puppy that is struggling to breathe, pass away in your hands. Or you rush your bitch to the vet to save her life, only to lose the litter. Or you lose the bitch, but save a litter of orphans. With life, comes the chance of death, and there is nothing as heart-breaking as holding a baby being in your hands that never got a chance to live. He or she never got to know what it is to love and cuddle, never would play with a ball, or run through a tunnel.
After a long, hard event, you are left with a box full of potential and responsibility. The blind/deaf newborns are at the mercy of your care. Their momma will provide the milk, you provide the safety, comfort, and clean environment. Their journey begins.
So now I wait. This last week and a half we'll pamper Miss Ellie as she prepares to enter motherhood. I plan to blog about the delivery, as well as follow the development and experience of this litter. Obviously it goes perfectly with the title and intention of my blog.
As her time approaches, I prepare for a long, sleepless night of worry and anticipation. I'm not sure who is more relieved in the end when it's all over, me or the momma dog. I love the point when I feed and potty the momma, change the bedding in the box, and tuck in the new family, all warm and cozy. Then if I can, I sneak off to bed for a few hours of sleep, waking occasionally to peak at the video monitor, lulled to my dreams by the squeak of nursing newborns. My heart is fulfilled. Yes, dreams do come true.
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