The Nursery

Est. 21 days before whelp:	Dam is given 24 hour care including; constant food, gentle affection and message, daily exercise.
3 days pre expected date of whelp:	Temperature is taken to predict labor patterns, hourly observation, coat cut back for cleaner nursing and birth, whelping box set up.
Whelp:	Monitored by one adult and one child (we always use this as a learning experience) We believe in silent birth with dim lights and minimal intervention. Puppies are usually born about 15 minutes apart with up to an hour break. The average delivery occurs at night and lasts about 6 hours. Dam will diligently clean and remove all of the products of birth. We assist to ensure that each puppy is allowed oxygen and heat expeditiously. Each breeder has his or her own tricks for working with distressed newborns. Any variations are noted for further monitoring. Once the births are complete we replace all soiled bedding and place a heating pad beneath the dam to assist in temperature control. To date we have intervened and delivered puppies via Emergency C-section on four occasions. We are often in the room to assist in surgical deliveries.
3 days post whelp:	This is "mommy's time". We observe the puppies, but believe in minimal involvement. No pictures or bedding changes. We allow the dam to rest and love her babies. Dam needs water, but minimal food. We will weigh the puppies at least once a day and provide any necessary medical care (IE; cord care, supplemental feedings)The dam will typically refuse to leave babies the first 36 hours, even to go potty. Puppies that make it through these days will have a higher chance of survival. If puppy has a defect or has inhaled fluids death will often occur within these days. Along with the miracle of life each breeder and their family must come to respect the beauty of life and accept death.
The first 3 weeks postpartum:	Dam is groomed, puppies are weighed. Dam is offered a dynamic diet, rest and privacy so as to physically recover. We give her consistent affirmation and praise to help her emotionally recover. The puppies should gain about 2 oz. a day. By the end of this period the puppies' eyes will open and they will receive their first de-worming. The Dam's primary interest is in keeping her pups clean, safe, and fed. She knows each of them and will not tolerate any perceived danger. The Dam possesses maternal instincts of protection, care and affection that any mom could learn from.
During the 2nd month of life(week 4,5,6,7,8):	The Dam's body starts to show the stress of nursing. Her coat has shed as a primal way to supply bedding to the puppies. She may feel "post-partum" and get edgy or depressed. She may want to return to her normal life and become seemingly annoyed with the puppies' demands. She is allowed greater time away from the puppies, and is given rawhide to chew away some stress. The puppies' 1st vaccinations begin at week 5-6. See chart below. Puppies will begin to take kibble at about 4 weeks. When necessary we will add goat milk, yogurt, etc. We are less concerned with weighing the puppies and allow the children to cuddle and handle them through-out the day. Now is when we will actively secure families for our puppies. By the end of this month dam is almost completely weaned. The puppies will receive the 2nd booster and our Vet will come to examine the dam and puppies. The puppies will begin to show personality and attempt to establish pack orders. At this time they still see themselves as a part of the litter and not an individual. Separating them form the litter at this time can cause various lifelong compulsive temperament disorders and significant stress on the puppy's systems.
During the 3rd month of life(week 9,10,11,12):	The Dam gets to return to her canine family in the day time, though she is very much aware of when her puppies are leaving. She could still pick out her own pup in a crowd of 100. At night she will still cuddle with her babies. This is a unique approach that we take. We believe it is best for mom and babies' health to be together at night. This may require the pups to have one additional course of de-worming. Between 11 and 12 weeks puppy should get a combination vaccination. This is the most important time to incorporate private obedience training. The puppies that have gone home need to be considered newborns and kept from over stimulation and public exposure.
During the 4th month of life(week 13,14,15,16):	Over 75% of our pups have gone home at this time. By this point the puppies understand that they are individuals. Their temperament and looks are pronounced. By the end of this month the puppy should have completed his/her puppy shots and catch on to housebreaking rapidly. This is a great time to get a puppy if you do not have someone home during the day.
During the 5th month	Puppy's immune system is near mature. He/she should understand what is expected within the family. This is a good time to use pubic training methods IE classes and neighborhood walks.

NOTE: We do not allow our puppies any public exposure until after the second vaccination.

This means that no visitors are allowed around the puppies until about 7 weeks old.

We share your disappointment in not being able to visit the puppies while they are young, however it is our duty to keep them safe as their immune systems develop.

Their color looks a darker/red color in these pictures due to the heat lamp lighting. Please scroll down for pictures of puppies from her last litter.

Neopar:	The highest quality Parvo vaccine available. It is administered at est. 5 and 8 weeks. Puppy will have a minimum of 1-2 of these before public exposure. http://www.neotechvaccines.com/neopar.htm
*Duramune Max 5*	This is the 5-way shot we prefer. It does not contain Lepto or Corona. It is done at 8 and 12 weeks and repeated at 16 weeks with the Rabies shot
Rabies:	Rabies can only be administered by a license Vet and must be done to attain proper licensing. Administer at: 16 weeks, One year, and Three years.
Limitations	As indicated in our Puppy Covenant we urge our clients to continue careful vaccination. We are not comfortable with Leptosporisis or the Corona type vaccine. This simply requires clients to request a 5-way shot instead of a 7-way shot (this is common practice) We also do not want the puppies receiving any product manufactured by Galaxy brand.

Fenbendazole:	Starting at 3 weeks of age over a 3 day period, given to both mom and puppies every 2 weeks.
Pyrantal:	Given from with first vaccination and repeated with each additional vaccination.*
Ivermectin:	Used on the First of each month.*
Albon:	Is typically sent home as a prophylactic means of preventing the development of common parasite during the stressful time of transition between homes.
Metronidazole:	Antibiotic used to treat Giardiah. Occasionally given prophylactic if litter mates are positive.