I am in the processes of DNA testing all my breeding dogs. This will tell me what if any genetic defects they have and help me to be sure that my pups are defect free.

From the beginning of her pregnancy, Mama dog is fed Puppy chow , beef liver, eggs and daily vitamins to keep her built up and the pups start strong. She’s also wormed early in the pregnancy and again mid way through.

On day 3 pups should go to the vet for an exam and have their dew claws removed. The claws left on are often snagged on things as the dog gets older and get ripped off, causing a lot of pain and major vet bills. Removing them does not interfere in any way with your dogs abilities, it simply eliminates the possibility of future problems. My vets office charges $7.50 per pup to do it… I consider it money well spent.

At 2 weeks, the pups should be wormed. They almost always have worms, even if their Mama has been wormed, so this helps to insure that all the food they’re eating goes into keeping them healthy rather than being sucked out of them by parasites. The worming should be repeated every 2 weeks until the pup goes into it’s new home. It costs me about $10 per pup for the 4 treatments. I figure it saves me in vet bills, and lost sales because it keeps my pups healthy, so it’s a win win situation and done routinely.

At around 3 weeks, the pups begin eating a gruel of puppy chow soaked in warm puppy formula. I decrease the amount of formula gradually until at about 5 weeks they’re eating the puppy chow soaked in warm water. From there I reduce the water in the food, and provide a dish of clear water and dry dog food so they leave me eating dry puppy chow at 8 weeks.

At 7 weeks I give the pups a 5 way vaccine that prevents diseases common to puppies. Now that they’re weaned, they’re no longer protected by their moms immunities, so need to develop their own. This shot is repeated in 3 weeks. Until they’ve had the second shot, it’s wise to be cautious about where you take them and any other dogs you have them around as they can actually die from preventable diseases if you get careless. They’re fun to show off, but be patient for their sake and be sure they’re well protected first. I pay $17.50 per pup per shot. It’s SO worth it!

Daily monitoring by a knowledgeable breeder can detect a lot of small things before they become big ones. For example, it’s not uncommon for pups when in the weaning process to develop a urinary tract infection. They’re going from a liquid to a solid diet and while most make the transition just fine, some might struggle a bit more with the change. Pups may also become constipated during this time. A smart breeder will have stayed around while the pups ate to be sure ALL have nice round tummies after. With in minutes they will all relieve themselves. A pup with a urinary tract infection will strain and cry and have blood tinged urine. A round of antibiotics will take care of it, but you need to catch it early for the pups sake. A constipated pup will also strain and make loud pathetic grunting noises. They need more water, maybe a bit of puppy formula, and a bit of extra help to get back on track. Some pups get diarreah while adjusting to the rich puppy chow. Vigilance is the best preventative again.

Often with Labradoodles you will find some have the Lab personality and others are more like Poodles. Some will be more aggressive in feeding and will naturally get the best and most. One that’s not able to compete can suffer and fail quickly if it’s not noted and dealt with. When this happens, I bring that pup in and give it a few meals all by itself for a while until it’s able to better take care of itself. This can make all the difference.

In summary, the best safeguard of your pups health is a breeder who takes the time to know and observe the pups and do the basic cares in a routine manner. We’re responsible for them being born, so we owe them that.

The pups are 3 weeks, 5 days old. They eat from a dish twice a day now and feast on their mom besides. All of them eat til they look as if they’ll burst. I’m able to feel just the hint of their milk teeth beginning to peek through, so soon the food will be less liquid and more for chewing. They’re growing round and strong, which is good… but they’re also learning their first lesson. One that will serve them well through their entire lives and help to keep them safe.
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They’ve learned to associate the sound of my voice with food, so are now coming when I call them. I call them out of their house, across the porch, and a few feet into the lawn. I want to teach them that coming when called is a GOOD thing; it brings rewards and positive interaction. Little do they know it’s setting the tone for their first lesson as pets. I try to move around a bit and vary the spot they’re fed at so that they’re learning to come to me rather than to a specific spot. They have to listen for my voice and come to where I am if they want their reward. Later, when they go to their long term homes, they’ll be ready to respond eagerly when called because they’re learning it now. This is puppy kindergarten where they’re mastering their first lesson.

With a litter of 12 to feed, Canada has had a challenge to keep everyone well fed and herself healthy in the process. I’ve been top-dressing her food with Puppy formula, she gets raw liver and eggs. There is ALWAYS food in her dish, even though she’s eating over 30 lbs a week right now. She’s managed to stay a bit on the chubby side, but her coat is starting to show the stress of feeding so many. So yesterday we found this:

Which was a pretty strong hint that the pups are becoming interested in Mamas food. At 19 days of age, it’s a few days earlier than expected, but hey they’re showing me what they want, so who am I to say they’re not ready?
Tonight I found one licking her food even though he has no teeth to chew with yet.

So I decided to mix up some puppy forumla and thicken it with a bit of soft white bread crumbs. I figured they’d at least get a taste for what’s to come. Nothing had prepared me for the frenzy that followed! The first pup I put at the bowl dived in like he hadn’t eaten all day. So we brought out another… who did the same. They were sucking the mix down like they were old pros.

So I ran in, mixed up more, and filled a second pan. We brought out all 12 pups, and let the frenzy begin. Now anyone who hasn’t seen puppies sharing their first few meals has missed some serious cuteness. They climb INTO the food, over each other, and rut around like little pigs. It’s comical and charming at the same time. By the end of the meal they’re a sloppy mess… which I just can’t resist sharing.

ENJOY!

Canada seemed to enjoy watching them eat. I’m sure she enjoyed cleaning them up after too! Between the 12 of them they ate 4 cups of formula with 4 slices worth of bread crumbs. We checked them all carefully before putting them back in for the night and not one looked like it could have swallowed another drop.

So feeding time has taken a sudden turn, and from now on they’ll be getting puppy formula with crushed puppy chow softened in it a couple times each day. Once their teeth come in, there will be less liquid and more puppy chow until they’re ready to eat like big puppies do. They’re growing up so fast!

With new pups to care for, I find myself spending a lot of time just watching, checking, and observing the litter. I make sure they’re being well fed and kept clean, and that they seem content, which tells me their needs are being met.

At 11 days of age, I’m seeing just the beginning of their eyes opening. They have grown round and much stronger. They move more every day, stretching and exercising those young bodies in preparation for getting up off those bellies and standing on their legs to take their fist steps. I take time to hold and cuddle each one. I study their colors, how they react to being rolled on their backs and moved around. I want to see which ones are most easily disturbed by my handling and which seem willing to just go with the flow. Much of their temperament is inborn, and in helping people choose the right pup for their family I will need to get to know these pups intimately over the next few weeks.

With a dozen pups, you might think I’d tire of this daily routine, but even after each has been handled, I find myself sitting with a big silly grin just watching them. They aren’t just a litter. They are 12 individuals; each with different qualities. Some favor their Lab ancestors, some the Poodle. Most are a blend of the 2 that is unique. Their head shapes are different. Their noses are turning from newborn pink to black like their parents. Their cute little toes are growing nails, and the hair on their chins is filling in. Some have a ridge that runs across their muzzle just under their eyes. A couple have multiple ridges and much wider heads. Some already show waves in their short soft baby coats that tell me they will have a different coat type than their slick lab Mama. The large apricot male has a thin light stripe the runs over the top of his head down his spine. 2 of the blacks have tiny spots of white hair poking out on the front of their chins and a few white hairs between their toes. A couple are so light I wonder if they might be white.

This is a labor of love. It’s akin to counting the fingers and toes on a new human baby. These babies change and grow so quickly that I’m constantly fascinated by the subtle differences I see day to day. I wake up each morning eager to check on them. They never fail to surprise me with something I hadn’t noticed before or some new development as they mature. I feel so blessed to be able to experience this and to know that in time there will be families who will love and enjoy them as much as I do now for many years to come.

I have friends and family waiting eagerly for the pups to be ready to recieve visitors. They will have many loving hands to teach them about how precious they are and how nice it is to be pet and played with. While I do look forward to showing them off, I have to say it’s been nice to have this time alone with them as well. When they turn 3 weeks old, a select few visitors will be invited in to help socialize the pups. I want them to know there are many who will love them and that they are safe in those hands. The trust built in these early sessions will be the basis of how they will view the human race for the rest of their lives. What an awesome responsiblity we are given! What a unique treasure they are.