[Dailydrool] Rescued Puppies

[saraberry at aol.com]

Tragically we are seeing more and more rescued litters, more than in the past 20 years.  Many rescues are being stretched and finding themselves having to become puppy specialists with very short notice.

The following suggestions are some of what has worked well for me and many responsible breeders and trainers of young puppies that I know.  They are not all of the suggestions that others would make, and some may differ in approach, but just what has worked well for me and that I recommend.

Initially, someone should stay awake with the bitch 24 hours until the puppies are large enough not to be smushed.  I know we sleep in the whelping room and rotate who is with the bitch and the puppies and awake.  A proper whelping area should be set up for them well in advance that the female can go into well before they are born, if possible.  Most people I know will feed the female some or all of the type food that the puppies will be weaned onto. Puppies should be raised in a common area of the house with normal sounds.  The litter must be kept warm, and many
 
Once they are born, they should be weighed twice a day.  If the weight should drop two times in a row, then that puppy may need supplement or medical attention. Attention must be given to the mother for issues like mastitis or not being able to feed all the puppies.
 
Not only do health issues, such as vaccinations and worming need to be done on a timely basis and then documented, but socialization is key and also how weaning is accomplished.  Some moms are good and will wheel their heads around and continue to be sweet to puppies, others will snark and want nothing to do with them.  How they are snarked, is how they will act when scared or upset as adults, so this is a critical stage.
 
There are also exercises that can be done with 3 - 16 day old puppies that will strengthen their ability to deal with stress as adults.  Carmen Battaglia and others often refer to them as the Biosensor Exercises.  I can send anyone interested a link.  I have done these exercises with a random test group and a control group, and continue to see better bounce back from the test group in stressful situations.  It takes about 1 minute or less to do these with each puppy and WELL worth it!
 
A variety of people should be coming to the house and handling each puppy daily.  Shoes should be left outside and people need to santize prior to handling puppies.
 
Once eyes are open, puppies need to start to take trips away from the litter in cars, so they learn that it is ok to be alone.  They can be carried anywhere you go and hang a sanitizer around your neck, so they can be approached and petted.  Just ask people to sanitize first and don't set them down in areas where other dogs are present.
 
Litters should be kept together until puppies are at the MINIMUM 10 weeks old, preferably 12.  This gives them the opportunity to go out and come back to security and what is known until the 12 week period where they will become independent on their own and be ready for adoption.  If they are rehomed at the often legal age of eight weeks, they miss this period of security and that is when you can see problems of aggression or seperation anxiety begin to form.  Between the ages of eight weeks to 12 weeks, they can and should have overnights to their prospective homes alone which will teach them it is fun and ok so that when they are rehomed they will be already familiar with the home, but then come back to the litter for that security until they are ready to leave.
 
These are only a few of the things that people need to do to have socially well adapted and healthy puppies.  It would help everyone if all rescues had a member breeder of the BHCA act as an active litter advisor and be available.  I know that isn't always possible, but it would really help rescues who are traditionally more experienced with later life issues.  BHCA member breeders have studied issues like socialization and how to manage very young puppies with a variety of issues.  They often have years of experience behind them.  It will also do the BHCA member good to see what issues rescues are facing.
  
If you are looking for a puppy, do make sure you ask questions about how the puppies have been raised and socialized.  Ask to see medical records, charts of vaccinations and worming and ask about socialization in advance of meeting the puppies.  The group, breeder or shelter should have as many questions for you as you would have for them, and thought should be given in advance to placing the puppy in the best home for his/her success, not just a matter of letting you pick out who you think is the cutest, though certaining that can be a factor in any decision.  Someone should know the puppies well enough to give you information on potential behavior issues and preferences with other dogs, cat ok, kid ok, low or high energy, etc., so that you and they both will have the best fit.

Especially be mindful of the cute, quiet puppy hanging in the corner, unless you desire to work with fearful issue dogs.  Generally this dog does not have the coping skills that the rest who approach you have on board.  Quiet is often fear that can get worse with age.  Point out any problem puppies you encounter in interviewing the litter to the rescue, shelter or breeder, so that they can work more closely with that dog for a successful homing.

Best to all,
 
Sara


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