Puppies: Responsible Puppy Raising and
Placement
By Sandy Wall
What is involved in raising a litter of puppies? This is a question that I am
asked quite often. It is certainly a task that should not be taken lightly. That
cuddly little puppy is going to be a full-grown dog soon, and will have an
impact on many people’s lives – and you want that impact to be a positive one.
I think the first thing to consider before producing a litter of puppies is
the genetic quality of the sire and dam. You want to be sure that you are
passing on a healthy genetic makeup. To do so, you must be certain that both
parents are free of any genetic faults which may be passed on to the offspring.
In addition, both parents should exhibit very stable temperaments. Breeding
should not take place until after these issues have been determined and you are
satisfied with the health of the adult dogs.
Once a litter of puppies have
arrived, the real task of puppy-raising begins. It will require a level of
devotion, not unlike that of a mother’s to her newborn child.
For the
first few weeks of a puppy’s life, the dam does much of the work. Most dams will
instinctively keep the puppies clean and fed; however, it will be up to you to
make sure that the dam and puppies have a quiet place of their own with an
adequate whelping box. The bedding in the whelping box must be kept clean and
sanitary. The temperature in the whelping area must be monitored and maintained
so that the puppies and the dam are comfortable. Most importantly, the dam must
be assured of proper nutrition so that she can produce an adequate supply of
milk. Only the breeder should handle the puppies during the first two to three
weeks of life. It is important that they are handed as this establishes an early
trust of people.
A puppy’s eyes begin to open at two to three weeks of
age, and they begin to stand on their own. This is when the real work and
expense of rearing a litter begins. As the puppies begin to display individual
character traits, the breeder will take on a more important role in the
emotional and physical development of the puppies. It is at this point that
puppies must be handled daily, and handled in a positive manner so that there is
never a barrier of distrust created. Puppies are not objects; they develop
unique character traits and should receive equal puppy conditioning by the
breeder. This conditioning is as important as any other aspect of puppy rearing.
At three to four weeks, the weaning phase begins. In most cases, the dam
will begin spending less and less time with the puppies after their teeth begin
to emerge. It is at this point that the puppies’ diet should be supplemented. I
start off with a mush that is made from a high quality puppy food, softened with
a prepared puppy milk replacer. Gradually, the amount of milk replacer is
decreased until the puppies are eating their kibble dry. They must always have
fresh drinking water available.
Once the puppies are eating on their own on
a regular basis, the dam will be less vigilant about cleaning up after the
puppies. It will become your responsibility to maintain a clean and sanitary
environment for them. By this point, they have probably been moved out of the
whelping box and into a larger area. Their new location should be accessible,
making cleanup relatively simple. The area must be mopped at least several times
daily. You can use a diluted bleach solution, but I prefer to use a one-step
solution of germicide/fungicide, detergent, and deodorant. You can find this at
your local animal health store or your vet may be able to help you find it.
Also at weaning time, most veterinarians recommend beginning your
puppies on a routine vaccination and de-worming schedule. This is extremely
important in maintaining good health in your puppies, and will help to guard
them against infectious diseases. I recommend consulting your vet for an
appropriate schedule.
You have probably been unconsciously “grading”
your puppies from the day they were born. An experienced breeder is able to see
beyond the color and markings, looking at things such as bone, head shape,
angulation, and other criteria that vary with each breed. Keep in mind that most
puppies change dramatically as they develop. Some puppies may show early
potential for show or future breeding stock, but some will almost certainly be
of pet quality. It is very important for you to be able to recognize this in
order to properly place each puppy. Personality is also important when placing
your puppies. A quieter puppy will not do as well in the show ring as the puppy
whose exuberant personality says, “Look at me!!”
As well as grading your
puppies, you must be able to assess prospective owners. I treat each puppy as
part of my extended family and take great care when placing them into new homes.
One of the things to consider about a prospective owner is whether or not they
have previously had pets. If so, do they still have the pet? If not, what
happened to it? It helps to know what other pets the prospective owner has and
how responsible the owner was with previous pets.
It’s important to
consider the new owner’s intentions. These are the type of question to ask: Are
they interested in showing the dog, entering an agility event, or simply looking
for a house pet? Will someone be at home with the puppy; and if not, will
someone be available at lunchtime to check on the puppy? Will the puppy stay in
the house or be placed in an outdoor pen. What kind of home do they live in - a
small apartment or a house with a fenced yard? Some breeds are well suited to
apartment living, while others require more space in which to exercise. Does the
new owner fully understand the time and financial commitment they are making?
Give them an indication of the expected annual cost for puppy care,
including veterinarian expenses, grooming, food, and supplies. If the future
owner is a young person, inquire about their plans for the future. This may be
awkward, but it’s important to insure that your puppy is going to a stable home.
Last, but certainly not least, is having a well thought-out contract for
customers to sign. Include such things as a health guarantee (if offered), a
notation if the puppy is being sold as a pet, a clause if proof of spay/neuter
is required, and a clause which states that the breeder be afforded first
opportunity to acquire a puppy/dog if the owner is unable to keep it for ANY
reason. You should also mandate that appropriate vet care be provided throughout
the life of the dog. These are just a few of the things to consider when drawing
up a contract. Always insist upon a written agreement, even if the new owner is
a friend or family member. It will be useful to refer to if there is confusion
or misunderstandings in the future.
Letting your puppies go to a new
home is difficult for any caring breeder. But, when you have taken the time to
establish a relationship with the new owners, it can be a very rewarding and
comforting experience. I receive pictures on a daily basis from satisfied owners
who have acquired a puppy from me. It’s very heartwarming to know that a puppy
has been placed in a good home to a family that will provide a loving and stable
environment.
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