Puppy Packets
While your mama dog is with puppy, it’s time to begin putting together the information you feel is essential for every puppy family to take home. I spread much of this information out over weekly blog posts and also send the packet we’ve developed via email about 5 days ahead of time so families have time to digest the information before a new puppy joins their family. If you do not wish to create your own puppy info packet, it may be beneficial to join Baxter & Bella yourself so you can begin gathering advice to pass on to your puppy buyers (use Baxter and Bella discount code “TIMBERIDGE” to save 25%).
It’s also time to begin thinking about what you’ll include in the puppy packets you’ll send home with each family. Each of our puppies goes home with a folder containing: a puppy guide that we’ve created ourselves, Puppy Cultures exercise guidelines, vet check information, microchip information, select pamphlets from TLC, and a Timberidge Goldendoodles business card so our contact information is readily available. The folder is tucked nicely inside a TLC goodie bag alongside the Trupanion blanket that smells like the pup’s first home. We order our business cards inexpensively from VistaPrint.
Other items you could include:
- A Snuggle Puppy instead of a fleece blanket.
- Pedigree
- 4×6 photos prints of the puppy during her time with you
- Invoice
- Embark panel
Veterinary Care
Now, while your mama is expecting, start having conversations with your veterinarian about whether he is comfortable checking a litter of puppies. If you plan to microchip puppies, ask about the company your vet uses and whether lifetime registration is included in the fee you pay. Also, inquire about the possibility of doing an emergent c-section if necessary.
Immunizations
Some breeders vaccinate their own puppies. Refrigerated puppy immunizations are available in the pet section at Tractor Supply. You can also order them online from 1-800-PetMeds and other pet pharmacies. The issue with breeder-administered immunizations is temperature. Vaccines must be kept refrigerated and there’s no guarantee that the vaccines you purchase have been maintained at the appropriate temperature.
Wormer
Talk to your veterinarian about whether worming is necessary for all puppies in your area or whether you should bring in stool samples prior to worming. Also ask if your veterinarian recommends worming with one type of wormer or recommends using two different types. Order wormer now so you’ll have it on hand when the time comes.
Genetic Testing
Some breeders choose to run an Embark panel on all puppies and include that information in the puppy packets when the puppies go home. The information included in an Embark panel can also aid a family in puppy selection. The Embark panel tests for furnishings, which provides helpful information about which puppies are best suited for families with pet dander allergies. If you plan to test puppies, order tests from Embark ahead of time so you can return the samples as soon as possible. Embark has a 4-6 week turnaround time. Keep in mind that it’s sometimes Embark cheapest to purchase off of Amazon and other times it’s cheaper to purchase directly from Embark. If you plan to test at least four puppies, Embark offers a litter discount where you can purchase four kits for $99 each ($396 total).
If you aren’t interested in a comprehensive panel, Paw Print Genetics allows you to purchase individual tests. Paw Print has a much faster turnaround time, so those kits do not necessarily need to be purchased before a litter arrives. Use the discount code “BRCA20” to save when ordering tests from the Goldendoodle or poodle panel.
Learn more about the difference between Paw Print Genetics and Embark
Getting Ready for Puppy Rearing
Arguably one of the most important steps you can take when preparing for a litter is to watch through the Puppy Culture DVD set. If you’re on a budget, purchase the DVD set without the accompanying workbook, but if you can swing the workbook, you’ll be thankful to have this resource at your fingertips. The workbook contains a lot of information not found in the DVD but the DVD also contains interviews with subject matter experts that aren’t found in the workbook.
Whelping Supplies
View our list of essential puppy whelping supplies here.
Revival Animal Health is an online store that carries a myriad of items breeders want to have on hand. Oral Cal for whelping mamas, SafeGuard and Pyrantel Pamoate dewormers, Nutri-Drops for newborn puppies, whelping box liners, and breeding supplements are just a few of the many products Revival Animal Health offers. Order supplies ahead of time so you will have them ready to go when whelping day arrives.
Whelping Box
Since our mamas and puppies are small, we use a kiddie pool as our whelping box with a pool noodle pig rail zip tied around it. Learn how to make your own whelping box here. Many breeders use Dura Whelp boxes or Jonart Whelping Boxes and rave about them. Still others purchase 4×4 raised garden boxes which they use as whelping boxes.
Whelping Box Liner
Research indicates that providing good traction for puppies while they’re still newborns in the whelping box is essential for proper hip development. If you read the above linked article, you’ll notice that the perfect whelping box liner has yet to be found. The important takeaway is that traction is important even for newborn puppies, so find a whelping box liner that supports good traction and works well for you.
We’ve found that washable incontinence pads work well for the bottom of the whelping box. We tuck the corners under the pool noodle pig rail, so the incontinence pad lines the bottom of the whelping box and doesn’t move around. This provides good traction, allowing the puppies can move around. The incontinence pads are also washable, which makes it easy to clean the whelping box regularly without needing chemical cleaners. Other breeders rave about using EZ Whelp Pads with a piece of green backed Vetfleece covering part of the whelping box floor (off brands tend to shed a lot). Revival Animal Health also has whelping box liners available that many breeders choose to use.
Disclaimer: this information is not intended as veterinarian advice. Please consult a licensed practicing veterinarian experienced in reproduction.