Puppy Care

Books for Havanese Owners

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While the puppies continue to grow and explore their ever expanding worlds I thought I’d offer up some suggested reading material.

My list of books is always expanding.

1. My latest purchase was “From Nose to Tail” by Noel Hynds and Suzanne McKay, written in collaboration with the Havanese Fanciers of Canada. If you are going to keep your puppy in a full coat this book is a must! If you are going to keep him in a puppy cut this is a great book to show your groomer and to help you maintain your puppy’s coat. Here is the link to order the book online: http://www.havanesefanciers.com/nosetotailbook/

 2. Another helpful book is “The Joyous Havanese” by Kitty Braund. Kitty is considered one of the foremost authorities on the Havanese breed. She was kind enough to allow me to be Phoebe’s human! Phoebe is from Kitty’s last litter before she retired from breeding at the young age of almost 90! “Joyous Havanese” is available from Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

 3. “Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats” is a long title for a book that has been one of my bibles as a dog owner. When I don’t have 16 puppies running around I cook several recipes from this book for my dogs. Generally I will feed them a mix of 1/2 top quality kibble and 1/2 Dr. Pitcairn’s recipes. He also covers a number of health-related issues, all from a holistic perspective.

4. If you are interested in natural nutrition for your dogs another reference is “Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats” by Kymythy R. Schultze. It just offers another perspective on the subject.

And then, if you enjoy reading you might pick up one of Elizabeth Marshal Thomas’s books. She has written several about animals but her two dog titles are wonderful. “The Social Life of Dogs” and “The Hidden Life of Dogs” both helped me understand my canine friends much better.

Lots of Helpers

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The wonderful thing about my breeding program is all the helpers I have. With sixteen to keep track of, it is almost a necessity. Plus the pups get used to all kinds of voices, smells and sensations. Wonderful for socializing. Alex and Michael came over yesterday to help me name our Independence Day pups. Here are some photos.

Alex bottle feeding Blaze

Michael napping with Sparky

Phoebe’s pups…6 girls on the left; 2 boys on the right

This is our modified English Shepherd whelping box. It is large enough for mother and daughter to share. I just added a few bumpers in the middle. It will be good for about two more weeks. Things change quickly in this world of puppies!

Never Discount the First Week

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While the puppies seem very tiny and preoccupied with eating and sleeping, a lot more is going on with them. Even at this very early age they are already bonding with their siblings, their mother and their humans. It is very important that the breeder spend a few moments with each puppy individually, stroking it, cuddling it and speaking to it in a low voice. Right now their eyes are still closed, as are their ears, so they cannot hear or see. But they can feel both the gentle, loving caresses they get from their humans and their mother…maybe not so gentle from their siblings! And, they cannot hear your voice but if you hold them close they can sense the vibrations of your voice.

This is, indeed, a very important time in their development. One not to be taken lightly.

Pups are growing well. I put the three small ones back on three bottle supplements a day. Fortunately not at night! They are just not getting their fair share at Maxi’s nipples, even though I try to give them the best ones as often as I can. I had started them on a product called Esbilac, sold in most pet stores. My vet gave me another brand and it is amazing how much more they like that one! As long as it is warm, they really suck it down!

Since I don’t have any new photos of the pups, I thought I’d post a few of their daddy, Carson.

Sometimes It’s OK to Fool Mother Nature

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Maxi’s fuller teats are towards her rump.

I generally do not like to interfere with Mother Nature. But sometimes empathy gets the better of me. So, for instance, I do my darnedest to revive listless puppies. I warm them up, rub them vigorously with a terrycloth towel, and watch for any sign of life before giving up on them. If, even then, the puppy does not survive I force myself to believe it is for the best. Some pups just aren’t born healthy enough to have a happy life.

Now, for those little ones that do survive I, again, will intervene several times a day. That is, I put them on the better teats. Not all teats, as most nursing human mothers will tell you, are created equal. Some produce better than others.

Here you can see the size differential between the two preemies on bottom and their larger brothers!

And, since the larger pups will naturally gravitate to the fuller teats, I will gently move them over so the little ones can get their fill. This also provides strong stimulation for the smaller teats which will, in turn, produce more milk. It’s a win-win.

This little guy’s nose is still totally pink!

Chances our two littlest guys will never reach the size of the larger puppies. But given a little intervention, they will not only benefit from all the nutrients in Maxi’s milk but get their fair share!