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Your bitch will require large amounts of food while feeding
her puppies. After she has settled to the task of looking after
her new brood of puppies, allow her to eat as much food as she
wants. Because of the large amounts of food she will require
to produce adequate milk, she should be fed several meals daily.
Make sure she has constant access to fresh water.
Puppies
drain huge amounts of protein from the bitch, so if she is to
continue to nurse her offspring for some weeks, she will need
plenty of good quality food for adequate nutrition and for producing
milk.
Between
three and four weeks of age the puppies’ teeth will begin to
emerge, this is when solid food can be introduced. A good balanced
diet should be commenced at this time. Feed puppies separately
so that you know that each one is getting its share.
Soft,
moist foods can be introduced as soon as the puppies are able
to stand. These foods are usually a milk/cereal mixture or puppy
pellets thoroughly soaked in warm water. Again try to do this
one at a time, or you may find that they all start walking through
the bowl and getting into a right mess. The bitch will now be
able to cope with any extra feeding that the pups require without
putting too much strain on her own condition.
By
six to seven weeks of age, depending on the breed of dog, the
puppies should be having five small meals a day.
Worming:
nearly all puppies have roundworms because the eggs are passed
from the mother before birth through the placenta and after
birth through the milk. Worming of the puppies should commence
as soon as they as strong, average age two to three weeks. Worm
the bitch at the same time. Read the advice given on worming
preparation carefully and follow the instructions.
Puppy
playpens are ideal, with plenty of soft, safe toys for them
to play with. This builds up their muscles and gives them coordination
skills as well as developing social skills. Having a radio or
TV (not too loud) in the room allows the pups to hear a variety
of noises and sounds to enhance their ability to cope with the
sounds of their prospective new homes. Breeders should keep
a close observation during playtime to watch for differences
between the pups. Some may be assertive and some submissive.
Knowing your puppies’ personalities will help in matching up
the right homes for them. You would not offer a submissive pup
to a family with boisterous children.
The
veterinarian should give your puppies’ first vaccinations at
about six weeks of age. This is also a good chance for the vet
to examine the puppies for any problems. Make sure you collect
a vaccination certificate from the vet for each pup, as you
will need to pass this onto the new owners so they can follow
through with the next vaccination due at about 10 - 12 weeks.
Depending
on the breed, it is usual for puppies to be transferred to their
new homes around eight weeks of age. This is the optimum age
for the puppy to best adapt to the world outside its playpen
and away from its siblings. If the new home has an existing
dog, there are certain precautions to take. Jealousy is very
common from the resident dog/s. Suggested advice: ask the new
owners to have a family member take the existing dog to a local
park or neutral territory. Have member/s of the family take
the new pup to the same park - on a lead or harness. Have one
family member play with the new pup on the ground and let the
existing family dog come along and ‘find' this new ‘friend'.
Allow the two dogs to play a little and then walk them both
home together. This way, the existing family pet will think
he or she has found a new playmate and the family is allowing
this playmate to come home with him/her. If you just place a
new pup in the backyard with your existing family pet, jealousy
and protection of it's territory, may have a devastating effect.
Make
sure your new puppy owners have secure fencing, or at least
an escape proof (digging and climbing, wise) enclosure. Insist
that suitable housing is available for the new family member
with plenty of warm bedding. This will be the first time the
pup is away from its siblings and it will feel very much alone.
Responsible dog ownership begins with you - by example and by
instruction.
There
are a number of items you should provide the new owner when
they pick up their pup.
- Vaccination
certificate Worming chart.
- Diet
sheet.
- Special
care instructions - grooming, training etc.
- Registration
papers - duly signed by you on the reverse side.
- Any
conditions of sale.
- Copies
of sire and dam's health checks.
- Possibly
a breed hand book.
- Receipt
for purchase price of pup.
- Sample
pack of food that the pup as been fed.
Inform
the new owners of any common hereditary problems in your breed
and alert them to each party's obligations concerning future
health. Let them know you will be interested in the pup's progress
into adulthood and beyond. This is offering good ‘after sale
service'. It also enables you to keep good breeding records
of your offspring and the future development of your chosen
breed.
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