21 - Take the puppies to the veterinarian when they are about 2 days old, if you are going to have their dewclaws removed. [-$]
22 - Keep track of the pups' weights to make sure they are gaining. This indicates that the bitch is producing enough milk and that the pups are healthy and suckling well. Use differently colored collars on nearly identical pups. They must be distinguishable for registration purposes.
23 - Begin feeding the pups solid food at about 3 weeks of age. They will require special puppy food. They should not be completely weaned until they are about 6 weeks old. [-$]
24 -Schedule appointments for worming and immunizations at intervals determined by your veterinarian. [-$]
25 - Socialize your pups. They should be handled gently by you from birth. When they are 5 weeks old, begin nonstressful socialization with other people and introducing the pups to a variety of objects. The pups are susceptible to diseases until they have had their third set of shots at 3 months of age. Don't expose the pups to other dogs before then. After that time, take them everywhere; introduce them to other animals and new situations. Puppy kindergarten is highly recommended.
26 - Arrange for temperament testing for each puppy at 7 weeks of age. We recommend the Puppy Aptitude Test by Joachim and Wendy Volhard (from the March, 1979, issue of the AKC Gazette; reprinted in The Art of Raising a Puppy, see above).
27 - Register the litter with the AKC, U.K.C., or the parent club (if your dog is a rare breed). [-$]
28 - Obtain (or prepare yourself) a 3-5 generation pedigree. [-$]
29 - Evaluate the puppies to decide which are show quality and which are pet quality; you may want to ask other breeders for their help. Decide on the purchase price of each puppy. |