This litter will be AKC registered, I don't have the paperwork yet
Puppy Care until they get their rabies shot
I would suggest keeping them on cement, potty park or an artificial turf (you can get at Lowes or something) but be very protective of your puppy. Stay away from other doggies and cats. An adult dog or cat can carry something but not actually have it. Let the puppy settle in before taking them for their first shot. The next day will be too soon. Do not give any medication or shots when your poodle is stressed, it can weaken their immune system, and a weakened immune system is a dog that is suseptible to illness. Be very careful with your little one.
for those traveling, consider having a clean towel and water to wash their feet and face every time you stop. I really can't say enough how careful you need to be ... until they get their third shot and rabies shot. It is suggest by us NOT to give multiple shots at one time. The vet will ask you, tell you that the world is on fire with parvo, etc. Use your best judgement but do be careful not to overwhelm their immune system.
Puppies showed no signs of worms when I wormed them at six weeks old. I am not worming them again. Please remember to take a sample of their poo with you to the well puppy visit and first puppy shot. Those that are leaving before the first puppy shot at 8 wks old have no other medical history except what Grace had when they were about four days old. I have given them diacentious earth several times in their food. I did worm them once when they were 6 weeks old. The puppy packet that I mailed today has their health info on the first page. I send a bunch of stuff, please do glance through it. There's a recommendation from Tiara Standard Poodles (Everad's breeder) regarding when and when not to give puppy their shots, etc. I give the puppies a NuVet vitamin broken up now. Thank you Linden for ordering yours. I get a report who orders NuVet vitamins. The potty park is not imperative and now too late to actually get. Lowe's has artificial turf that you could have a patch outside and nearby their sleeping area for good results. I switched the puppies to Eukanuba and hate it. Their poo is grainy and lots of it. I mix the raw dog food with it at least once a day. The night time meal is only raw dog food that's warmed with warm water, I do not feed them cold food, I suggest you don't either. Again, it makes their temp dip and could make their immune system work harder.
They are playful, healthy, cuddly wonderful puppies. With only seven in this litter they are more social than ever. I try to give them something new everyday. Another person that handles them, a bone they aren't use to, I change them between three areas when outside is appropriate. They sleep in my kitchen at night. They are starting to play with Pippa (5.5 months old). She's starting to play with them through the kennel. They are very interested in her. I put crates in their area without the door on it. Most litters there's a couple of puppies that like it, this litter seems not to like them. Do train your puppy to sleep in a crate or travel in a crate. It's safer and another time of your puppy's life you may need to put them in there without fuss. Get some basic training under your belt for your puppy. Always teach them lovingly to come to you (use treats, one command, one puppy. I always ask my husband: how many Pippas do we have!) without darting the other way. It's a safety issue. Use a long leash to teach them. Set them up for success every time. Take them to beginning obedience at least as they grow. Puppy class is fun for everyone too. Teach them to take a pill without a lot of fuss. You can practice with a placebo pill. Teach them to stay off of things, not to go potty in the house, not to chew the furniture ... what you are comfortable with when they are three years old. Teach them how to act in the house, around children, etc. now. But don't plan on expecting the world from them. Be positive and loving.
Poodles are intelligent.
If you teach them the wrong thing and then un-teach them, they will go through the process every time. example: Sit means hearing it 10 times, having their owner get frustrated, coming to them and sometimes run the other way, be handled, and then somewhere in all of that you get what you want from them and they don't get what all the fuss is about. They just know that the word "sit" means in the end they are flustered.
Hilde's breeder gave us a story with her puppy packet. She says, if you walk into the front room and your best leather jacket is on the floor chewed up, or a favorite plant, or a piece of furniture is chewed or peed on ... calmly pick up the puppy. Put them in the safe zone (key. have a place you can contain the puppy that's safe, not cold, not hot that's ready at a blink of the eye. If there's an emergency you need to put the puppy somewhere, have it ready now). ok... so... put the puppy somewhere safe, go to the back of the house where the puppy can not hear you. Take a rolled up newspaper and spank the daylights out of your rear end. Bad puppy owner! Bad puppy owner! Keep the puppy in the room with you or put them in the safe zone.
one quick story of our own. Last year's litter with 25" Tigre' her large boy went home. I said, teach him how to act now. She's like, oh he's so cute, I just want to hold him all of the time. nice ... but not practical. When things didn't go his way, he would jump up on the couch and pee. She's like omg what can I do. My first comment to everyone is: put the puppy on the ground, teach them respect, house training, where to go, how to act in your home, etc. then let them be part of the sofa if you want them to be. If you put a puppy at your eye level, you are asking the puppy who the puppy thinks is the boss in the house. A puppy will decide its them. Be the ring leader, let them grow up and then let them on the couch, etc. That's my advise. If you bring a puppy on your bed from day one, you most likely will have behavior problems. If you do... seek training by someone in your area immediately, and remember, it's your fault, do not take your frustration out on the puppy/dog. If you want them to sleep on the bed, teach them to sleep in the crate first and be 100% house trained. Be the ring leader.)
it's funny but true. I have seen about two standard poodle puppies in emergency having something taken out of their tummies. It's a real issue with a puppy so be prepared. That cute little face is not the boss. Remember, you are the pack leader. If your poodle doesn't feel they have enough leadership they will start being the pack leader to you. I suggest watching Cesar Millan's The Dog Whisperer. he has invaluable info on his shows, books, newsletter. Nothing is worst than a puppy that runs the neighborhood every time the door opens ... it's dangerous. You've spent a lot of money on your little treasured companion, don't let them get run over.
It's all in the preparation. I bought 8x8x4' kennel. I move them from the garage to the yard to the cement depending on the weather now at 6 wks old. Exercise pens work wonderfully. Don't teach them to go over the top but to use the gate and they will never know they can jump it. I've seen a 26" standard poodle at a show standing in a 36" exercise pen that's perfectly happy and doesn't challenge to get out. That's all training. An exercise pen is awesome to have, you can take it on vacation, etc. There's also long leads that you can secure to a tree when they aren't able to stand right next to you. ... etc.
hmm, last instructions. Love your puppy like you want them to be like when they are full sized. Teach them that you will care for them, not hurt them, feed them regularily and they feel healthy. They will love you for those things immediately. They don't remember that they weighed 6#, all of ours still try to fit their bodies on the tiny little circle rug. They will actually go into a small crate looking at me like, "that's my crate" and it's for a 10# puppy. Crate train your puppy, it's their den, it's safe and secure and will let them relax. I guess that's the biggest comment. They need their area they are safe and don't have to be on guard. Don't let your little treasure bounce around the car loose either. It's dangerous, they don't weigh very much, they can hit that windshield and really get injured.
... ok, enough. Love your puppy, we do. We are very attached to these guys. I helped them be born, taught them to eat, praise them and love them, hug and hold them several times a day. They are used to being hugged and kissed. Please keep in touch, we love having reports how your puppy is doing as they grow and pictures. yes, I am curious what they look like and what size and color they grow to be, what you like to do with them. When we have a gathering of poodles and puppies, I will let everyone know. It's very nice for us to keep in touch and see the puppy and their now family. ... welcome to our poodle family, I hope you like us enough to want to keep in touch, we look forward hearing from you.
blessings,
Paula and Jim
www.barefootpudels.com
