The 3 Things You Need to Successfully Raise a litter of Puppies
Are you afraid your puppies are not growing or developing properly?
Do you worry something is going wrong and you won't be able to find it in time? — Then this post is for you!
- Journal: A pad and paper, notebook, something permanent to write on.
- Scale: An accurate scale that can weigh pounds and ounces. (kg if you are in the big world) A baby scale or postage scale with the ability to track the puppies’ weights.
- Time: Make time to observe the pups, time to think, time to analyse the puppy weight chart.
Okay, so now we have a beautiful litter of puppies. How do we guarantee that they're going to reach maturity happy and healthy? Keeping records and understanding where you've been is 100% vital to successfully raising your litter. Only with this information can you steer the puppies on the course you want them to go.
I have found that there are three key elements to keeping you and your litter on track. All three are very simple . But, without them, problems and failure lurk around the corner.
Journal: A pad and paper, notebook, something permanent to write on.
Scale: An accurate scale that can weigh pounds and ounces. (kg if you are in the big world) A baby scale or postage scale with the ability to track the puppies’ weights.
Time: Make time to observe the pups, time to think, time to analyse the puppy weight chart.
So for me the solution looks like this:
I have a chart, notebook that observations of my litter and the mother’s behavior are recorded like a journal. Mom does this and that. She sleeps with the puppies, nurses etc she goes potty and she pees. Everything gets recorded. Her appetite and how well she's eating on a day-to-day basis gets recorded. Her feeding behavior with the puppies gets recorded.
If you'd like a complimentary copy of my chart you can download it from my website here: [link]
Everyday the puppies are weighed. Young puppies are weighed twice a day. Red flags are zero weight gain or weight loss. Everyday the puppies are observed. Are they nursing vigorously? Are they strong? Are they week? Are they crying? Are their stools normal? Are stools? Is there any straining? What is mom’s behavior? Is she eating, drinking, pooping? Is she nervous, anxious? Are mammary glands, soft, hard, hot, cold? Is she interested and cleaning her puppies?
Every morning about the same time the puppies are weighed. I sit down with the puppies. I sit down with my notes. And I sit down with the weight charge and I analyze it and I think. If you have all the information at your fingertips, this doesn't take but a few minutes. If you count the time it takes the way them maybe 10 minutes.
If my powers of observation say they're doing well and the puppies are all in the positive weight gain I'm done for the day - business as usual. If one of them's fussing and not nursing, if the weights are off, now it is time to analyze and react.
It's just that simple folks...
Please don't do this with just your memory! Use a notebook.
Please don't do this without a scale!
When you try to do it without a scale and without a chart, and only with your good memory you will be in trouble when a problem develops.
Trust me! — I see it all the time!
Because problems and complications in the form of puppy diarrhea, or mom stops eating, or her milk dries up are just a day away.
Your scale, journal, and weight chart are your resources not only the solve problems but to prevent them!
Use them wisely ! - Dr. B...
Ovation and her pups how wonderful. I watched with a smile on my face and felt pure joy in my heart. I remember my first litter, or rather Cracker’s first litter. I was 7 and raced home from school to see if she had the pups. I called her, no Crackers. I walked into the old wood garage, which was dark except for a ray of sunlight which shone on Crackers who was giving birth to her puppies. She was very calm and quiet, which made me feel very calm and quiet. She allowed me to sit with her as she gave birth to 5 babies. Mans connection to dogs, neat stuff really neat. Thanks for the Posts Bruce
You are welcome…Thanks for sharing..