Well Meaning Friends Want To Visit The New Babies!

[LizT]

Well in fairness they are mostly "Horsey people" and we all roar round to see the new foals the next day.....but after telling people the pups have arrived they all politely asked if they can come visit when the pups are a 'bit' older. Yes, of course I said.

Didn't realise they thought this weekend was okay. Have had to clarify timeline to them now.

Despite having laid down the ground rules and clearly explaining"WHY" before the pups were born I had a stand up arguement with my teenage daughter when she wanted to bring her friend and friends mother in on Tuesday (day 3) and I said "NO". My daughter thought that "look don't touch" was sufficient. Fortunately the mother was a farmer and understood, explaining to her daughter that day old chicks were not allowed visitors etc. I still felt mean though.

Also potential 'adoptive parents" have asked when are they able to come visit the puppies. I've said "not before 6 weeks".

Apart from the fact that I think my bitch would get upset, is their any further way I can make people understand that it's still "No Visitors" and that the 'puppy room' is quarantine. All the family has been great about removing shoes and washing hands thoroughly.

[Aziah]

The rules you lay should be respected, don't go feeling like you have to justify 'why' they can't come until 6 weeks of age...that's just how it is!

Edited September 16, 2010 by Aziah

[becks]

just explain the pups aren't doing anything, so they really are no more interesting to view then a photo, then you can send regular photos of the pups to friends/puppy buyers etc. Explain it takes a few weeks before they are starting to become aware of their surroundings and to start to show any personality.

[LizT]

just explain the pups aren't doing anything, so they really are no more interesting to view then a photo, then you can send regular photos of the pups to friends/puppy buyers etc. Explain it takes a few weeks before they are starting to become aware of their surroundings and to start to show any personality.

I just did that for a friend to show just what "little blobs" they are!

Although, my 10 year old daughter , who understands, has just told me she had to be quite firm to classmates who asked if they could come over during the school holidays to "see the puppies".

[Cockerlover]

stick to your guns !!!!u would NEVER forgive yourself if any thing happened because of visitors !!!

u have put yr heart & soul into yr litter ,U have every right to determine visiting rights & any one who cant except that ,is not worth bothhering with !!Imho

[LizT]

So is 4 weeks okay for "close family friends" and 6 weeks for "strangers"?

[dancinbcs]

So is 4 weeks okay for "close family friends" and 6 weeks for "strangers"?

I allow visitors from 3-4 weeks but it depends on the bitch. If she is really protective I give her a little longer and if she is the sort that wants to show her babies off to everyone, it can be earlier. I also ring the vet to check out the current parvo situation in the area. If there are no cases of parvo around I allow earlier visits.

I like puppy buyers to come weekly from 4 or 5 weeks so I can get to know them and decide if I really want to sell them a puppy. I don't like to make a definite decision until they have visited 2 or 3 times at least.

[Dogsfevr]

6 weeks here plain & simple.All the meet & Greets have been done before the pups arrive .

The pups aren't doing anything intersting prior too.

We have pups here who have just hit 5 weeks they are really grasping the world & experiencing new things by 6 weeks they are ready for new people & will do the things people expect.

I see no point sitting with people when they just lay there like blobs.

We don't do it as a quarantine thing but simply as case of there not doing anything that will allow the pet owners to enjoy that time & the pups prior too that are still learning about the new things/outside etc etc & we are in no rush for people to come & visit.

At 6 weeks there fun/cute & there personalities have been established & we have a fair idea of which pups will best suit those on the list .

If we have people around they will see the pups because they need to be exposed to the world & yes germs/bugs BUT puppy owners no we don't have out

[TrinaJ]

I have told my potential puppy people that they can visit the puppies from week 5 onwards. Prior to that I will email them pictures and send them updates.

Regardless, before they touch the puppies they will need to sanitise their hands and remove their shoes if the puppies are inside.

The puppies health is of the utmost importance to me and if I hurt someones feelings by saying no they are too young to visit then so be it!

Other breeder friends, well that's a different story, they can come around earlier.

[dancinbcs]

6 weeks here plain & simple.All the meet & Greets have been done before the pups arrive .

The pups aren't doing anything intersting prior too.

We have pups here who have just hit 5 weeks they are really grasping the world & experiencing new things by 6 weeks they are ready for new people & will do the things people expect.

I see no point sitting with people when they just lay there like blobs.

We don't do it as a quarantine thing but simply as case of there not doing anything that will allow the pet owners to enjoy that time & the pups prior too that are still learning about the new things/outside etc etc & we are in no rush for people to come & visit.

At 6 weeks there fun/cute & there personalities have been established & we have a fair idea of which pups will best suit those on the list .

If we have people around they will see the pups because they need to be exposed to the world & yes germs/bugs BUT puppy owners no we don't have out

I suppose it depends on the breed. My puppies start escaping the whelping box at about 10 days and by 4 weeks are racing around the yard, playing, chasing, digging, climbing, doing lots of interesting stuff. One of my friends has another breed and they just stay in the whelping box eating and sleeping and looking cute until about 5 weeks. The difference between the development of the breeds is quite astounding.

The same thing applies with food. By 6 weeks our puppies can tackle a chicken wing, unsoaked puppy kibble and love to gnaw on a hard 2x4 biscuit but I have heard other breeders comment that their 6 week old puppies struggle with puppy kibble unless it is well soaked.

So when you have visitors in can also depend on how advanced your puppies are in development.

[puglvr]

I can sympathise with you. I have a litter due in 3 weeks. My sister rang about 2 weeks ago and announced that she was coming to stay overnight the week before they are due and bringing her dog. She had a hissy fit when I said she'd have to wait until I found out whether my girl was in pup. If she was no she couldn't bring him. She wouldn't listen to reason, so I said go and speak to Barry's breeder and see what she would do........ that shut her up. I don't have to justify my decissionsin my home.

[Dogsfevr]

6 weeks here plain & simple.All the meet & Greets have been done before the pups arrive .

The pups aren't doing anything intersting prior too.

We have pups here who have just hit 5 weeks they are really grasping the world & experiencing new things by 6 weeks they are ready for new people & will do the things people expect.

I see no point sitting with people when they just lay there like blobs.

We don't do it as a quarantine thing but simply as case of there not doing anything that will allow the pet owners to enjoy that time & the pups prior too that are still learning about the new things/outside etc etc & we are in no rush for people to come & visit.

At 6 weeks there fun/cute & there personalities have been established & we have a fair idea of which pups will best suit those on the list .

If we have people around they will see the pups because they need to be exposed to the world & yes germs/bugs BUT puppy owners no we don't have out

I suppose it depends on the breed. My puppies start escaping the whelping box at about 10 days and by 4 weeks are racing around the yard, playing, chasing, digging, climbing, doing lots of interesting stuff. One of my friends has another breed and they just stay in the whelping box eating and sleeping and looking cute until about 5 weeks. The difference between the development of the breeds is quite astounding.

The same thing applies with food. By 6 weeks our puppies can tackle a chicken wing, unsoaked puppy kibble and love to gnaw on a hard 2x4 biscuit but I have heard other breeders comment that their 6 week old puppies struggle with puppy kibble unless it is well soaked.

So when you have visitors in can also depend on how advanced your puppies are in development.

Ours are on solids by 4 weeks & out & about but size wise we are talking about half the size of a chi .

I now when we had our large breed babies that there where certainly more capable at a younger age.

[LizT]

So is 4 weeks okay for "close family friends" and 6 weeks for "strangers"?

I allow visitors from 3-4 weeks but it depends on the bitch. If she is really protective I give her a little longer and if she is the sort that wants to show her babies off to everyone, it can be earlier. I also ring the vet to check out the current parvo situation in the area. If there are no cases of parvo around I allow earlier visits.

I like puppy buyers to come weekly from 4 or 5 weeks so I can get to know them and decide if I really want to sell them a puppy. I don't like to make a definite decision until they have visited 2 or 3 times at least.

Dancinbcs, what do you do if the people live a l o n g way away and are willing/asking to come for a 6 weeks visit to meet you and the puppy, I'd feel bad making them drive 3 hours each way more than twice? They have given me alot of information about themselves so I am getting a 'feel' for the family, so to speak.

[LizT]

6 weeks here plain & simple.All the meet & Greets have been done before the pups arrive .

The pups aren't doing anything intersting prior too.

We have pups here who have just hit 5 weeks they are really grasping the world & experiencing new things by 6 weeks they are ready for new people & will do the things people expect.

I see no point sitting with people when they just lay there like blobs.

We don't do it as a quarantine thing but simply as case of there not doing anything that will allow the pet owners to enjoy that time & the pups prior too that are still learning about the new things/outside etc etc & we are in no rush for people to come & visit.

At 6 weeks there fun/cute & there personalities have been established & we have a fair idea of which pups will best suit those on the list .

If we have people around they will see the pups because they need to be exposed to the world & yes germs/bugs BUT puppy owners no we don't have out

Yes, that was how I was planning it ...no prospective buyers until 6 weeks as there's no point.

But my initial problem stems from 'friends' wanting to share my joy! I let my daughters boyfreind have a peek yesterday as my bitch loves him and I consider him family but don't want a 'parade of visitors' it's bad enough when you have a human baby!! LOL

[LizT]

6 weeks here plain & simple.All the meet & Greets have been done before the pups arrive .

The pups aren't doing anything intersting prior too.

We have pups here who have just hit 5 weeks they are really grasping the world & experiencing new things by 6 weeks they are ready for new people & will do the things people expect.

I see no point sitting with people when they just lay there like blobs.

We don't do it as a quarantine thing but simply as case of there not doing anything that will allow the pet owners to enjoy that time & the pups prior too that are still learning about the new things/outside etc etc & we are in no rush for people to come & visit.

At 6 weeks there fun/cute & there personalities have been established & we have a fair idea of which pups will best suit those on the list .

If we have people around they will see the pups because they need to be exposed to the world & yes germs/bugs BUT puppy owners no we don't have out

I suppose it depends on the breed. My puppies start escaping the whelping box at about 10 days and by 4 weeks are racing around the yard, playing, chasing, digging, climbing, doing lots of interesting stuff. One of my friends has another breed and they just stay in the whelping box eating and sleeping and looking cute until about 5 weeks. The difference between the development of the breeds is quite astounding.

The same thing applies with food. By 6 weeks our puppies can tackle a chicken wing, unsoaked puppy kibble and love to gnaw on a hard 2x4 biscuit but I have heard other breeders comment that their 6 week old puppies struggle with puppy kibble unless it is well soaked.

So when you have visitors in can also depend on how advanced your puppies are in development.

Ours are on solids by 4 weeks & out & about but size wise we are talking about half the size of a chi .

I now when we had our large breed babies that there where certainly more capable at a younger age.

That's very interesting, I would have thought that larger breeds take longer to develop as infants, as that is the case for their maturity isn't it?

[LizT]

6 weeks here plain & simple.All the meet & Greets have been done before the pups arrive .

The pups aren't doing anything intersting prior too.

We have pups here who have just hit 5 weeks they are really grasping the world & experiencing new things by 6 weeks they are ready for new people & will do the things people expect.

I see no point sitting with people when they just lay there like blobs.

We don't do it as a quarantine thing but simply as case of there not doing anything that will allow the pet owners to enjoy that time & the pups prior too that are still learning about the new things/outside etc etc & we are in no rush for people to come & visit.

At 6 weeks there fun/cute & there personalities have been established & we have a fair idea of which pups will best suit those on the list .

If we have people around they will see the pups because they need to be exposed to the world & yes germs/bugs BUT puppy owners no we don't have out

I suppose it depends on the breed. My puppies start escaping the whelping box at about 10 days and by 4 weeks are racing around the yard, playing, chasing, digging, climbing, doing lots of interesting stuff. One of my friends has another breed and they just stay in the whelping box eating and sleeping and looking cute until about 5 weeks. The difference between the development of the breeds is quite astounding.

The same thing applies with food. By 6 weeks our puppies can tackle a chicken wing, unsoaked puppy kibble and love to gnaw on a hard 2x4 biscuit but I have heard other breeders comment that their 6 week old puppies struggle with puppy kibble unless it is well soaked.

So when you have visitors in can also depend on how advanced your puppies are in development.

What breed do you have again dancinbcs?

[Starkehre]

I have not had my first litter as yet, so this is just my plan of what I will do ;)

Provided my bitch is comfortable with it, friends and family that I can trust will be invited as early as I feel that I can stay awake long enough to let them in the door . Puppies are born with an innate fear of humans, and in my opinion if they can get bombarded with as much safe outside stimulation as possible, all the better, particular in a breed such as mine. Now, by this I don't mean all day every day. Even under normal circumstances I am not a big fan of visitors but for me it is important to the on going social nature of my puppies and to assist my future puppy people.

Of course this will be closely supervised and all my friends are serious dog people anyway.

I will encourage as many different people (still friends) different ages and sexes so the puppies accept different people from a young age. We do not have kids, so we will have to hire some

Puppy people, unless they turn out to be someone from already within my circle, will be invited from around 4-5 weeks.

Edited September 18, 2010 by dyzney

[dancinbcs]

What breed do you have again dancinbcs?

Border Collies and they are VERY ACTIVE as babies. They are also rather tough babies, never delicate like some other breeds.

It amazes me to see breeders with other breeds at the vets with litters of 6-7 week old puppies in baskets or boxes with an open top. You could never do that with Borders. By the time you put the second puppy in the first one would already be out running around again. Basically from when they get on their feet at about 2 weeks they are eating sleeping or moving around, they never just sit or lie still while awake. They are also master escape artists. The best effort I have seen was a 5 week old puppy that climbed a 90cm fence of chicken wire and just dropped over the other side to get out and play with the big dogs. If you use occy straps to secure puppy pens and fences they just chew through them. Oh the joys of Border Collie babies. They sure keep you on your toes.

The up side of this early development is that we can train them early. Mine are always partly lead trained and almost toilet trained by 8 weeks and know the meaning of their basic commands of watch, sit, stand, come drop, heel and just for fun "shake hands", before they leave.

[dancinbcs]

I have not had my first litter as yet, so this is just my plan of what I will do

Provided my bitch is comfortable with it, friends and family that I can trust will be invited as early as I feel that I can stay awake long enough to let them in the door . Puppies are born with an innate fear of humans, and in my opinion if they can get bombarded with as much safe outside stimulation as possible, all the better, particular in a breed such as mine. Now, by this I don't mean all day every day. Even under normal circumstances I am not a big fan of visitors but for me it is important to the on going social nature of my puppies and to assist my future puppy people.

Of course this will be closely supervised and all my friends are serious dog people anyway.

I will encourage as many different people (still friends) different ages and sexes so the puppies accept different people from a young age. We do not have kids, so we will have to hire some

Puppy people, unless they turn out to be someone from already witin my circle, will be invited from around 4-5 weeks.

Just be very careful of how many people you allow in the first few weeks. Some bitches can seem to be coping with visitors when they aren't and the stress can cause them to lose their milk. I find that maidens especially make better mums if there is minimum interferance during the whelping and with the babies for the first couple of weeks. For the first week I weigh the puppies in or next to the box and never remove the puppies to where the bitch can't reach them. I keep visitors in the first two weeks to maybe one or two breeder friends known to the bitch but they never touch the puppies at this stage. The puppies should be handled by no more than 2 or 3 people at most in the first week or two. From two weeks the bitch is usually less stressed and more handling can begin and by three weeks lots of socialisation can be very good for the puppies, provided mum isn't still really protective.

[Dogsfevr]

Here are bubs are exposed to all & sundry ,all shapes & sizes.The big dogs interact from the day they are born & our bitches have always been the more the merrier when it comes to sharing.

Here are 2 photo's 1 is off our beautiful (RIP ) grey who always came into milk & was foster mum for any bub & was just baby mad & the other is of one of our babies at 5 weeks

**Should ad this pup was docked when it was legal **

Edited September 18, 2010 by showdog