How We Raise Our Puppies
Puppy Raising Process
Birth-1week
Puppies are born in our home in my home, where we sleep in the same room as mum who has 24hr care for the first 2 weeks, Puppies at this age feed by smell, the little slower to latch on puppies are monitored and rotated to full nipples for maximum colostrum which is an essential part of mothers feeing at the time. Pups are born unable to see, hear or regulate their body temperature, so the first few days is a critical time period for the mother to bond with and care for her puppies. During this time we focus on caring for mum keeping her warm, well hydrated, well fed and clean and we limit puppy handling to weighing and ensuring they can find mum and latch/suckle on mum for milk.
Week 1-2
Puppies eyes start to open and hearing starts around days 10-14. During this time we handle puppies are weighted daily to monitor weights, at this time we handle and talk to puppies. This routine takes only minutes, but is vital to ensure our pups are absorbing the mothers milk at the correct rate and smaller puppies gain the weight need to. handling if the puppies is very important, as it teaches touch and sound and stimulation to puppies, which made easier handling by vets and groomers.
WEEK 2-4
Week 2 we begin our Vet worming schedule, we only use worming products supplied by the Vet. As the puppy becomes older they start to explore their area they will play with each other, and wander away from mum for periods of time. Their teeth start to appear Pups will moving freely, exploring and playing with. At this time mum and pups are moved into our custom purpose built Puppy area which has a puppy pen, fluffy bead, lots of toys, and puppy pads. This space temperature and light controlled, Puppies are handled and played with each day. Our grooming programme starts at the is time, gently warm flannel to wipe puppy , warm dry towel, with the dryer turned on not not actually used on the puppy at this stage of training. Just gets hem used to hearing dryers.
Week 4-5
We begin recall training, calling pups by name before feeding. Daily handling now also includes basic grooming including brushing and wiping faces. They are introduced to the groomers, and begin to be handled by different people. With all their senses now fully developed pups are in full learning mode. We extend their play area at this time with a combination of vet bed and paper flooring to help strengthen legs and improve coordination. We also open access to their outdoor puppy area connected via a doggie door— this is where toilet training begins. Mum is now able to take some rest away from her pups although she still is incredibly important in shaping positive interactions and help grow their confidence with new experiences.
WEEK 5-8
Daily handling is focussed on calm and stable movements with varying pressure to further develop their confidence in being handled. At the end of this period pups will have their first bath and hygiene groom with clippers and scissors and experience their first car ride and vet visit. Pups are growing physically stronger and more coordinated and litter mate playtime turns to rough and tumble as they grow in confidence. At this time we start to take puppies to others grassed areas to explore. They interact with other animals on the property, We provide daily stimulation and multiple people. These periods of socialization are kept short and sweet so as to remain positive and confidence building. During this time we introduce harness and lead training, reinforce recall training Daily handling continues to make future grooming, worming and handling stress free for the pup and their family.