mini girl

Just wondering what kind of bones exactly do you let your pups have - I have 5 mini poodles now nearly 7 weeks - in a past litter I let the litter have some lamb bones - raw of course but they must have got some small bone fragments and a couple had blood in their poo - it really freaked me out and have not been game to let my pups have bones since - by the way the pups were fine and it cleared up very quickly. Today my mother dog got into the pen with half a chicken wing - I had given her - and gave it to the pups - they just loved it and have read that other breeders let their pups have bones but exactly what - - I let my grown dogs have chicken necks and wings - but what bones and how big would you let pups safely have - it would be good to keep them occupied too. They do have a dish of dry to chew on but not that interested really. The whole litter is promised to lovely homes so I would hate anything to happen to any of them.

Its worth a try - but I've switched to a red coloured doona - doesn't stop it but not so noticeble till its washed - you do anything for the dogs!!!! Found where ever I put the throw rugs on top of the bed they seemed to pick another spot to lay down or moved them - slept for three nights once - while waiting for my girl to have her litter - under a plastic sheet topped with another sheet - but we couldn't stand the noise from the plastic - thank god for automatic washing machines --- and red doonas.

I found this link very helpful - is by an american breeder http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/breedingdogs/p...ppies3weeks.htm I try to follow this with my pups from 3 weeks and usually they are all pretty much paper trained by the time they go - - I have a rectangle pen I keep them in - with newspaper down one end - I put the news paper in a car boot tray so can be easily lifted out - my husband made a sort of wooden divider with a door way into it which did help - but my last litter didn't respect all this and still dragged the newspaper around - so far this litter is good - have not put the divider up yet they are just 6 weeks - its a bit of a trial and error thing I guess - but the litter that did drag paper around were a winter litter and didn't get outside quite as much - or maybe just a more full on litter.

I have used cheap baby track suit pants - best and less is best place to buy them cheaply - sometimes have to roll up the legs - cut a tail hole in them - they stay on quite well with the longer legs - have found though once they have had a couple of seasons they usually keep themspeves very clean - the first one may not though. You can put a panty pad in as well but if if you have a few just change and wash. Found those sling things were useless all they wanted to do was chew them up.

This does not look safe to me. I wouldn't use it because it has no wind block, no smooth surface etc. if a pup gets under the towels and a limb falls between the bars it could be very bad. I suggest about 90x90cm for your Cocker Spaniel. Just to let you know - the picture was for the whelping - the towles and sheets were removed after I helped deliver the puppies - the pups were very safe and and sound and moved from this at 3 weeks - - this girl does not like sheets and towels on the floor so just had very secure carpet for the first 3 weeks so she could not dig it up and bury the puppies - also in February Brisbane - its more keeping them cool than warm - temps over 30 deg - if pups were to be born in a colder month would be very much different - would hate you to think I would not take the best of care of my mum and babies. Pups are now 5 weeks this week and all doing well in their run in the house.

I use a good size cardboard box inside a pen - the box I used this time was about 1 m x 1m put towels and sheets on the bottom - the pens are from Deals Direct (online store) I have 3 of them so I can add extra panels to the run when necessary once out of the carboard box. Attached a photo of mum waiting - she had 5 nice pups - now nearly 5 weeks.

So right - but have been watching her closely and giving her lots of cuddles - I think what ever caused it may have been pretty minor as she now seems pretty good - thought perhaps it was something others had noticed in their pups.

I am really hoping this is nothing but out of my litter of 5 mini poodles one little girl - now 3 weeks and 4 days seems to be overly sensitive around her head and ears - she sometimes cries out when picked up and touched there - never have come across this before - she is up on her feet and drinking from her mother and seems fine in every other way - none of the other pups are like this. I am by nature a bit of a worrier but hope to God its nothing serious - have not taken her to the vet yet always take the whole litter at 6 weeks with mum. She settles after a bit of cuddling but seems to have pain I feel - she never cries when in the pen with the others. She is a good weight and nothing else seems unusual.

Sounds good - glad it all worked out for you - I would be just the same - after all the love and attention we give them we would hate to see anything happen to our babies.

Sounds like the want to do the Disney thing - open a box and out pops a cute puppy to lick his face - can understand that it would be a beautiful memory to hold onto. But yes I agree I would be somewhat concerned but like the others have said have a talk to the new owners and see if the puppy will be kept at the party for the remainer of the night - first night away from a litter is always a bit stressful for a pup at the best of times - maybe they could present him with a cuddly toy like the pup he will be getting with a message to expect the real thing. Also as others have said depends on the size of the party - the music - alchohol cunsumption etc. etc. Another thing that worries me is that vaccinations are not final till after the 12 week shots and if all sorts of people come up touching and looking or he runs around somewhere where unvaccinated dogs may have been - probably a long shot that he could pick up something but I feel never take any chances. Perhaps take him an a cuddly blanket that has been given to you by them and kept with his litter for a while - and get some responsible person to take charge of him and keep him with them for the remainder of the party. Perhaps if its not too noisy or too many people he could be happy enough curled up in someones lap and not being passed around to all in sundry. Above all be honest tell them all they should know about the first few weeks of puppy care - I always give written notes on this and other important things they shoudl be aware of - after all they would not want to invest a lot of money in a pup to have something bad happen to it. They can be made nervous if something untoward happens early to a pup. If its a 50th birthday hopefully the people attending would be over the silly younger people's type of party - or you would hope so - find out more and tell them your honest thoughts.

Yes it does get a bit of a worry - but hopefully its all over now - but boy oh boy - they decided to have their last session with a tie on our bed and my husband quickly shut the window so the neighbours would not think we were killing dogs - OH well I guess these are the things you have to go through - and as I've said before - do you ever stop learning - we were wondering if she would carry on when her first pup arrives - will be interesting to see - but with all that said she is just so beautiful and worth the screaming - hope we get a nice litter from our little screaming girl. Thanks to all for the reassurance.

Thanks for that I feel a lot better now!!!

My girl on her third season - wrote about her being rather depressed during the season - but she came good - well she allowed my boy to mate with her 4 times now but each time they tie at first she screams - becomes worse when I go to her - after a few minutes she stops it and just stand there - my other girls have never done this so hope all is ok after it is over she is happy and bouncy - I was happy for her to have 3 matings and thought she was pretty well over the time when she would accept him - but it happened again this evening and she still screamed for a few minutes. Do you think its because its her first time or what. Interested if anyone else has had this happen - my other 3 girls I have bred never did this but she is from a different line - it should not have an effect on her pups should it - but another friend of mine who has bred for years said she had a girl scream during the tie to a stud she had taken her to and at 4 days lost the pups. I would not say my girl is highly strung really - and has a beautiful affectionate nature - she loves to see my other girls pups (from a distance - as mum does not like her getting too close - only 3 week old pups) - so I am hopeful she will be a good mother. Any information most welcome.

Had another mating this morning - I will now call it a day - she seems fine of course the boy is still interested but I think the two may be enough - she was also very vocal again this morning during the tie - any one had a bitch that does this - and do they get over it.

When my girls are due to whelp I start taking their temperature twice a day in morning and evening - if not much over 37 deg I know pups won't be too long - I sleep with my dog if I think the litter could come in the night - first time mothers seem to sometimes need a hand. But I'm there for every birth - no matter what. But get yourself a thermometer - the digital ones are good and a jar of vaseline and start taking the temp about 4 days out from when you expect the litter. Sometimes the temp goes up and then falls but if its around 37 or 37 .3 the pups seem to follow soon. They also start digging at the floor sometimes and I watch the rear end sometimes you see a bit of thick jelly like substance from the vulva that is a good sign pups are coming. Good luck. If she is considerate they may come in daylight hours but certainly not always.

Thank you all for your wonderful advice - I feel so happy I have this forum to ask questions on - I said to my husband this morning - just when you think you know it all something else happens - guess I will go on learning. But back to what happened - well this morning after my boy had the night away from her was so eager and she was too but the same thing happened two attempts then her jumping and carrying on like a real little prima donna - I was sitting at the computer doing a google for an AI vet in Brisbane when I heard her crying and wow!!! they were well and truely locked together - but she was letting anyone who would listen know she didn't appreciate loosing her virginity - my boy just stood there not moving or making a fuss - my husband and I both held her for the full 30 minutes and she cried most of the time - not a cy of pain more like when they are locked out of the house or just want attention - after it was all over she was as bouncy and happy as ever - out of my 3 girls I've bred before she is the first to act up like this - but thankfully its all god now - well hope so - I gave her the rescue remedy while she was tied to see if that would help - but I think I needed it more than she did. PS - I didn't have to put the younger male in a kennel after all - I put him in the garage with my oldest girl who is now desexed and they were fine. Let them out after it was alll over. May let them have another try in the morning.

Just to finish the story - I stayed with her all night and this morning she is back to her old self again - my older boy tried to mount her this morning and was going ok but then she when crazy - this happened twice and now he won't try again - will separate them overnight and see if tomorrow morning is ok - a friend suggest I give her bach or Bush flower rescue remedy before we try to mate her. I think the trouble is she wants the younger boy - but not ready to breed him yet - so he is going to a kennel for a couple of days this afternoon. This is her first mating - my other girls were so easy and my boy had not one bit of trouble with them - but this girl !!! Hope it works or its another 6 months.

Thanks for that she seems ok at the moment - wagged her tail at me and came upstairs no problem maybe she is just hormonal - and a spoilt little darling to boot - but not too bad really - will keep a close eye on her tonight - was so hoping to breed her so hope it will be ok - if she is still like it in the morning I will take her for a check up at the vets - not my usual vet but a pretty good one that does open Sundays. She is laying in the office with me now and seems so tired. The vulva is swollen but not anything I would consider abnormal.

My mini poodle 2 years next month is having her third heat - she was her normal happy playful self up till this afternoon - its the 10th day - but today she has become very depressed and not at all her usual self - took her temperature its normal - she ate her dinner and seems alert but really depressed picked her up and she wimpered with what I imagine was tummy pain - this has got me quite worried - my other 2 girls from different lines never had this - rang the vet and the girl said its normal for dogs to have symptoms like a woman at period time - but am concerned if to rush her to the vet or not - she seems to have lost all interest in the boys - was going to mate her for her first litter this time. Her vulva is very swollen - I don't remember noticing such a mood change in her last two heats - but she has always been a bit sensitive if you touched her vulva doesn't like it at all. The boys have definately not mated with her - have kep them away today. Anyone had this happen to them, Its after hours on Saturday night and only emergency vets around - don't always like using them but what do you think - does she need a vet to examine her or is this normal for some dogs?

Thanks for the links swayd - makes me think its not really a path I will go down - until I know if I can breed him will just keep him under lock and key - thanks for the information.

I will check out the threads thank you - the belly band I have had success with are ones I made myself they are large face washers folded in half and I sew 2 x 2 inch strips of strong velcrose onto the ends so it is totally secure around his waist - I put baby disposable nappies inside - they lay flat on the towelling part if you cut the elastic out of the legs - and trim the nappy to shape - not cutting the actual pad itself though - my little guy is an excellent stud in that he will not even attempt to mount until the girl is really ready for him - I only use them when I don't want a litter and am around and he can run with the dogs and play etc. other times I keep them separated and take it off - he is quite funny really - he just waits on the other side of the gate when not allowed to be with a girl and when he sees me with the belly band he jumps up and dances around happily because he know he will get his chance to be with the girl - they do not seem to bother him at all - using baby nappies is good as it does not allow wettness next to his body - the nappies of today draw it away from the outer liner. I have used this now for 3 heats and find it does work for me - I'll try it under observation with the young dog - and see how it goes - of course I would only use it if I was able to be close at hand would never put it on him and go out thinking this would be enough. He is by the way totally trained in the house and does not pee inside - its just to stop an unwanted mating.

I was a a poodle meet a few months back and one breeder told me she had had an injection for one of her males - a house dog that lives with the females - she said it lasted 6 months and then wore off - so had no problem with him for the period she did not want to breed. Has anyone used this or have any information on it - always a bit afraid of anything like this - just in case - would appreciate any info it would help me with my situation at present. 2 males one I am not ready to use yet till he is 12 months and I know how he has turned out - he is 10 months now - my dogs live in the house together. Of couse I can do other things like kennel him or make him wear a belly band or just lock him up - but would like to know anyone elses experience with this drug.

Just an update - put the air cond on in the room - maintining about 26 - 27 deg so not too cool - mum seems ok now - also my husband found a roll of thin carpet in our roof we had forgotton about and I vacuumed it sprayed it with antiseptic spray put it out in the sun to dry and put in all the way through the box and pen - no more problems. Thanks for all the advice - pups will be 1 week tomorrow - so hope all continues to go well.

Thanks - nice to know its common enough - thought the mother may be following instincts and may be trying to rough up the surface for the pups sakes - slippery surfaces don't make for good legs I'm told - we are off to Clarks Rubber to see if we can find some washable carpet for her large enough to have the pen sit over so she can't scratch it up - something that can be hosed off - will get 2 or 3 pieces - will be able to use it over and over again I hope. Do you think I need the cardboard box in the pen as well - I worry if one of the pups was to hit the metal if mum jumped out while still on the teat - the pups will be a week tomorrow so still babies - the box may look dreadful but I'm not so worried about its appearance but hygene - with mum still bleeding the box will smell and probably be not the best for the pups as far as germs etc. go. Its not a worry with keeping the pups warm in just a pen as we are in Brisbane and its HOT.

Had a litter born on Friday - this is not my girl's first litter - she is 4 years old in July - but she has a habit of shredding up any newspaper I put in the whelping box - or scrunching up a mat or folded sheets I've also tried. She is not nervous or anything like that - in good health. I have a large cardboard box inside a large run and she seems set on destroying the box itsself - I would rather put something nice and soft under the pups but she has her own ideas. I have bred her mother and she never did this - was more than happy to recline on the nice soft towels or sheets I put in for her. I have had to leave out the paper and sheets for fear of her covering the pups - but the cardboard box is getting so tatty and dirty - will need to be replaced. I know she did it to a degree last time she had a litter but this time its worse - I try and see that the room is not too hot. The pups are doing well and she is happy but you ought to see the box - I am going to have to go and find a new one tomorrow. I left newspaper in there last night but this morning two pups were under some of it with her attempts to shred it up. Any suggestions.