Tashia and Jason Lund

955 Highway 81 NE

Cummings ND 58223-9552    www.eclipsebordercollies.com

Cell: 701-330-3195

How we raise our puppies

Our puppies are born in our closet right by our bed, so I can keep an eye on them while they are in there.  I am present at the birth and right after their birth I weigh,  record sex, and markings to keep everyone separate.  The puppies are handled multiple times a day and placed on their backs and sides. We implement the Early Neurological Stimulation Methods to insure that our puppies reach the best of their ability from the start.  In addition, we handle their feet and mouths to ensure a well handled puppy.  Mom is allowed full access whenever she wants to be there.  The puppies are weighed and nails clipped weekly. 

At two weeks the puppies eyes start to open. 

At three to four weeks I start to offer very watery puppy food (Taste of the Wild) to them twice a day. They are also moved into our kitchen so they can have more room to run and be socialized to the activities of a home.  By this time they are waddling around and moving.  Mom is still feeding them regularly and she is allowed to.  During this time the puppies ears start to open. 

By this time we are also starting to follow the Rule of Sevens by Pat Hastings.

At four weeks the puppies are dewormed. 

At five weeks old they are starting to understand to go potty on the pine bedding and are getting three meals of soggy puppy food.  At this time, people can come to visit and they are handled by strangers (clean), while still being handled by us constantly.  Also at five weeks we have to change the gates at the doors in the kitchen to a real baby gate plus x-pen on one side – since some are usually escaping our kitchen.  The radio is turned on so they are getting used to different sounds.  Food pans are dropped to expose them to sudden loud noises.  The first time outside is usually during this week and they have a blast. 

At six weeks the puppies are vaccinated, microchipped and dewormed.  I am also bringing them to the Kennel Club to have people (clean) handle them, but they are only allowed to play with our dogs.  At home they are being fed three meals a day of puppy food only slightly damp and mom is usually really starting to wean them.  They have lots of toys to play with in the run and they are really starting to only go to the bathroom in the pine bedding. 

By seven weeks the puppies are really on the go.  They are crated during different times in the day, especially while I feed the larger dogs.  They are outside also multiple times in a day to play and run (if the temperature is warm enough).  They are eating three meals a day of puppy food.  The puppies also can play with the larger dogs (if the larger dogs feel like it) and mom is usually only feeding them once or twice a day.  In addition, the puppies are starting leash training and have been on multiple car rides.  During this week the puppies are eye cerfed by Veterinarian Ophthalmologists.

During this time the puppies are kenneled twice a day for me to bleach the kitchen floor to make sure they are always on a clean surface. 

We send our puppies home at 8 weeks.  We feel they should have at least 8 weeks with their litter and mom to attain all that wonderful socialization. Our puppies will leave our house with: Buyer's contract, Puppy's Eye Cerf certificate, copy of parent's health certificates (hips, elbows, Eye cerfs, DNA CEA/CH), pedigree (for reference), Health Certificate issued by our Veterinarian (if flying or crossing the border), their first shots (Distemper / Adenovirus / Parovirus / Parainfluenza / Coronavirus) at 6  weeks, dewormed at 4, 6 & 8 weeks, AVID Euro Microchip, socialization records, health records, pictures of parents, enough food to last a couple of days, a toy used by the whole litter, and last an information packet for training and answering questions.  We are also available to answer any questions at any time.

The puppies are on the following vaccine schedule.  Vaccinations at: 6, 9, 12 & 15 weeks (combo vaccine) and rabies vaccine.  They are also dewormed at: 4, 6, and need to be dewormed at 8 weeks.  The puppies are weighed weekly to check their progress.

Pat Hastings, AKC judge and author of The Puppy Puzzle offers these hints for socializing very young puppies.

By the time a puppy is 7 weeks old it should have:

Been on 7 different surfaces, such as: carpet, concrete, wood, vinyl, grass, dirt, gravel, wood chips, newspaper, etc.

Played with 7 different types of objects, such as: big balls, small balls, soft fabric toys, fuzzy balls, squeaky toys, metal items, wooden items, paper/cardboard items, milk/soda jugs, etc.

Been in 7 different locations, including: front yard, backyard, basement, kitchen, car, garage, laundry room, bathroom, crate, kennel, etc.

Been exposed to 7 challenges, such as: climbed a box, climbed off a box, gone through a tunnel, climbed up steps, climbed down steps, climbed over obstacles, played hide and seek, gone in and out of a doorway with a step, etc.

Eaten from 7 different containers: metal, plastic, cardboard, paper, china, pie plate, frying pan, etc.

Eaten in 7 different locations: crate, yard, kitchen, basement, laundry room, bedroom, x-pen, etc.

Met and played with 7 new people, including children and the elderly.

Source: http://www.norfolkterrier.org/articles_p-s/puppysocialization01.html