More from Avidog!

Here are the next few puppy nurturing steps on Avid Dog.

7.  On Days 3-16 do Avidog’s Early Scent Stimulation. Things like leaves, bark or wood. An orange peel or banana…we let them smell banana.  Fresh evergreen or flowers…we introduced jatropha blooms from our patio. Fresh herbs…we introduced basil.

8.  Give pups a floor with good traction to build muscle and coordination while reducing future orthopedic problems.

Note: while it is tempting to keep the pups on tile or vinyl, these surfaces are NOT good for muscle development. Instead, they are on cotton pads and fleece that gives their little feet something to grab on to.

9.  Stack each puppy on the table twice a week.

Note: We are starting that now. I like to wait until their little legs could support them.

10. Trim toenails every three days to reduce risk of mastitis in the dam and to accustom the pups to this constant grooming task.

Note: I’m on it!

11. On Days 3-16 perform Dr. Carmen Battaglia’s Early Neurological Stimulation protocol on each puppy. Gently supporting the pup;s body, perform these exercises for 3-5 seconds.

* Hold the puppy with both hands perpendicular to the ground, so its head is directly above its tail.

* Hold the puppy with both hands perpendicular to the ground, so its tail is directly above its head.

* Hold the pup in both hands with its belly down so it is facing the floor.

* Hold the pup with its back resting in the palm of both hands so it is facing the ceiling.

* Hold the pup in one hand, while using a Q-tip, gently tickle the puppy between its toes on one foot. Tickle a different paw each day.

* Place the puppy, belly down, onto a cold, textured surface. Do not restrain the puppy from moving.

Note: I will be doing this several times while the puppies are with me. 

12. Rotate new toys into the whelping box each day.

Note: We go through mini-kongs, tennis balls, large stuffed toys, and cat toys with internal jingle bells.

Big Day Today

Today was a big day. I introduced the puppies to what I call kibble mush. It is the same dry dog food that my adults get but it is soaked in water and then mushed up like potatoes. It is about this time that the puppies show an interest in their momma’s food. When that happens I know they will take to the mush. And, they LOVED it.   They will get this 3 times a day now. And, in about 2 weeks they will no longer get their mother’s milk. They are scheduled for their second nail trim later today and I hope the weather warms up enough so they can go outside and play on the grass!!

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Maxi’s pups with their first meal of soggy kibble.

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Lily’s pups eating their moistened kibble.

 

I Learn Something (or a lot of things!) New Every Day

“The time in every puppy’s life, from 3 to 16 weeks, is often referred to as “the
sensitive period.” The things that breeders and new puppy owners do, or do
not do, are important and have the power to greatly influence the kind of dogs
their puppies will become. During this time you literally have the ability to grow
your pup’s brain in size and complexity, making your pup smarter, healthier and
more confident.
As a breeder you will have your pups during much of their sensitive period.  Whether
you sell your puppies to buyers who plan to do search and rescue, agility, tracking,
service work, therapy work, hunting, herding or simply bring joy to a family,
you can increase their success by integrating the list below into your puppy-rearing
program and encouraging your puppy buyers to continue once they bring their
pups home.”
This quote is taken from a wonderful resource I discovered the other day. I was looking online for ideas
for making a puppy’s play more fun and discovered “The Adventure Box” pictured at left.
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Doesn’t this make you just want to jump inside and play?

Then I discovered the entire website called

Avid Dog at http://www.avidog.com/
It is the creation of some California dog trainers that share the same breeding and training philosophies as I do…starting, of course, with the puppy stage.
They have an e-book that I would encourage all puppy owners to download. It’s FREE!! It’s called “97 Ways To Create Great Puppies”. I am so overwhelmingly impressed with it that I want to spend each post talking about them. Here are the first six ways with my notes:

1. Supplement your dam with Omega 3 fatty acids for increased trainability in her pups.

Note: Our moms alternate between Salmon Oil and Coconut Oil. They LOVE both!
2. Give puppy kisses each day.
Note: OMG! Who could miss out on this one?
3. Supplement your dam with probiotics for stronger immune systems in her puppies.
Note: This is new for me but I’m convinced it is a worthwhile supplement. Ordered some today!
4. Run your fingers down the puppies’ tails from base to tip.
Note: I think the kisses are their favorite but this is a close second!
5. Keep mom’s stress low to increase milk production and mothering.
Note: Sometimes, with all the activity in our house, this is a challenge but it is a huge priority for me!
          I think we do pretty well here.
6. Keep room temperature so the pups aren’t crying and their mom wants to be with them.
Note: Never an issue here!
Before I conclude, let me say I am on my way to creating my own Adventure Box!!!  I have found a bunch of fun toys at the dollar section of our local Target store. Metal toy buckets, mini tennis balls, bright ABC’s and some cool plastic bowls and lids. I’m on the lookout for more. And, I’ve also ordered some stains for my PVC piping in bright blue and bright pink…because the white is ugly and boring!

Video of Maxi’s Pups at Two Weeks Old!

This is when the fun begins! Puppies are 2 weeks old now, making sometimes sweet coos, sometimes puppy challenge growls and wobbling around on their little legs. Noses are black now as are some of the pads on their feet. Soon their eyes will open and a few days after that the fog will clear and they will be able to see their siblings and their Mama…and me!…for the first time.

I took this video of Maxi’s litter yesterday.

Hoping to catch a video of Lily’s pups later today. Stay tuned!

 

 

Mighty Quiet Around Here!

Well, all but one puppy have left for their forever homes. I have to say they are all very fortunate to have found such happy, healthy and loving families!

Here are some photos and a note from one of them who adopted a puppy from Lily’s litter…..

…Now Pippa, she is little girl #3 with the pink collar. 
Love abounds!

Hi Jacqui,

Pippa had a great visit with our vet today. She was very healthy and was a hit at the office.

Attached are a few photos of Pippa that we thought you would enjoy!

Pippa has already brought so much joy into our home, and we are excited to have her meet our neighbors and the rest of our family.

-Dave, Patsy, Kaitlin & Margaret

Here is another from the family who adopted one of Marli’s pups.
Puppy #3 is now Tiller!

Hi Jacqui,

Tiller is fantastic!  What a doll.  He did great at the airports, seemed excited by the adventure.  Got to fly First Class on his first flight. (Spoiled already.)  Put him underneath the seat, he didn’t make a peep the whole time.  Kinda like he shrugged his little shoulders, said “Yeah, ok” curled up and went to sleep.  Natural flier!

Slept well last night, too, in his airline carrier on my bed.  Just one potty break at about 5am.

Tiller’s adapting well to his puppy playroom.  He occasionally voices his displeasure at being trapped by a baby gate, but seems to understand “quiet” and “shush.”  He settles down so quickly, I’m amazed.  He’s also a great self-soother.  He seems pretty content to play with his toys and scan for baby gate weaknesses to exploit.  (He is obviously intelligent and already responds to his name:) I swapped his litterbox and crate positions today.  A little while later, caught him dragging his placemat/water bowl across the room.  Guess he wanted in on the renovation!  When he’s quiet, I take him out every hour to snuggle/play.  He’s so snuggly, soft, sweet, and tiny!  We are bonding well. 

He’s using his litterbox (yay!).  Peed once on a towel last night (easy mistake) and once on floor today (excited maybe?).  Got a little poo on floor today, but only because his stool is soft- he did use his box.  I’ll mention it to vet tomorrow, but presume it’s the food change.  Not concerned at all. 

Went to a few stores today. Socialization opportunities abound with a puppy this cute. Everyone wants to meet Tiller!  He did great.

My seating is such that I can see Tiller in his puppy room and vice versa.  He was sleeping for awhile.  A few minutes ago, I looked over and he was just sitting quietly looking at me, patiently awaiting my attention.  Seriously impressed with this puppy!  So now he’s smothering me with kisses!!  Good time to sign off.

Thank you, Jacqui, for a wonderful pup!  Keep in touch.

Kimber