,First off each litter is raised just a little different because of the different times of year they are born and random stuff my family has going on at that time. For example: we live on a farm so, in the spring if I have puppies they will get to meet the baby sheep, goats and other baby animals we may have. Things also depend on the weather. If I have puppies in the summer I will try to take them swimming somewhere and they will get to play in the water sprinkler. In the winter they will be in the house more because of the cold but on the nice days I try to take them on hikes and stuff. Week 1: They stay with mom almost all the time. They get lots of pets and cuddles. Week 2: Their eyes and ears start to open. We start adding more sounds (music on the radio and I play my fiddle and sing for them, movies, washer & dryer etc…) and holding them on our lap for more cuddles. They get their first bath and we start giving them baths every week now. Here is a video a friend did of the some of my puppies getting baths: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkyOd64lS8Q Week 3: They are starting to get around well so we do more playing and they start getting homemade puppy food (meat: either chicken, beef, pork, turkey or deer, pumpkin, rice and random vegetables) once a day. Here is a video of me playing with some of my 4 week old babies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1c87jlAjt8 Week 4: They go to the vet for a checkup. We start going on little walks and playing outside. The puppies in this video are a little older (7 weeks) but it gives you an idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrzXPPqS6FE Week 5: LOTS more playing and longer walks. Up hills, over logs, under things! Just lots of exploring! I start feeding them 2-3 times a day because mom is starting to wean them. I also start giving them random raw fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots, etc…) to teeth on. Week 6: They get to see the vet for shots and a checkup! I’ve been trying to house train since they were 2-3 weeks old but I always feel like I’m failing by this age… Most of my puppy people say their babies house really quick and easy though so I must be doing something right! Week 7: I try to take them to the park (depending on the weather) to play! This video has mostly Nimueh in it but it’s the place I try to take them to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0_2O7dGFmM Week 8: We are mostly getting ready for their new homes. A lot of them are in their new homes the day they are 8 weeks old so I don’t get to spend much of the 8th week with them. But the ones that I do get to keep a little longer start crate training and doing more leash training. We will also start some obedience. I have a few videos on the "videos" page and I will be adding more as I get them. http://goldenretrieverstreet.weebly.com/videos.html That is not everything I do with my puppies but it gives you a good idea… Believe it or not, a Golden Retriever is not the ideal pet for everyone. Hard to believe, right? Initially Goldens may seem like the ideal pet. However, there are disadvantages to owning an animal of this type. Some people find these "disadvantages" appealing, seeing them as part of the dog's natural charm. For others, though, those same "charms" can be serious downfalls later. Down below is a list of those "charms" to consider before purchasing a Golden Retreiver. This list was adapted from the GRCA and Liz Jennings-Watford. SIZE: Goldens are medium-sized animals. The average size for males is 23-24 inches at the shoulder and 65-75 pounds. The average size for females is 21.5-22.5 inches at the shoulder and 55-65 pounds. They quite often possess extremely active tails making clean sweeps of coffee and end tables. Quite simply they need room. Uncluttered houses and fenced yards are a must. EXERCISE: Goldens were developed as a sporting breed to be able to handle a day's hunting routinely. They need to have consistent daily exercise (20-30 minutes twice daily is usually sufficient) or they may have a difficult time adjusting to the "calm house pet" role that is expected by most owners. SHEDDING: Goldens are a long coated breed and shed a minimum of twice a year. If you require a fastidiously-kept house, DON'T GET A GOLDEN RETRIEVER! You will always have dog hair around, especially in rugs, on furniture, and, oh yes, occasionally in your food. HEALTH AND CARE: Feeding one medium-sized dog for a year will cost between $200 and $400 dependent on the type of food. Veterinarian expenses for the first year average $200 to $500. Also, don't forget food bowls, leashes, collars, toys, shampoos, etc. TRAINING: Many wish to make their Goldens into good canine citizens. A good beginner's obedience class may cost between $75 and $150. Training by professional trainers is even higher. And don't forget the cost of special training equipment - leashes, collars, training dummies, auto fuel for traveling to and from training sessions, etc. Moreover, Goldens tend to be sensitive or soft to training methods. They must be handled carefully with a loving, firm, but nonetheless GENTLE hand. ADDICTIVE: Very few people own only one Golden because, let's face it, we all need more love in our lives, and Golden Retriever love is addictive! Before you buy a puppy, you need to prepare yourself, your family, and your home for it. Raising a puppy is enough of a chore. Having boundaries and rules already set in place, and necessary supplies at the ready will make it much easier for you to spend time raising your puppy, instead of keeping up with it and cleaning up unnecessary messes. Here is a check list to go over and discuss before you bring your puppy home. Please think carefully about the arrangements for your new puppy BEFORE you bring it home. It will make the adjustment all the easier for both you and your new family member.
Well, 2015 is almost over. So I thought I'd share some of the most memorable moments from this year. Enjoy! June 6th & 7th we went to the IABCA dog show in Oklahoma City, OK. We had lots of fun and made new friends! Looking forward to next year! :-) Our good friends Kristy and Xander (Monfortmagic Out On The Town) went to the IABCA Golden Retriever Specialty at Purina Farms MO on June 19th. They won Best In Show under Sue Brown from England and Reserve Best in Show under Rosemary Easton from Australia! We are very proud of them! :-D I hope to breed Nimueh to Xander next year. Addie and Nim got their AKC canine good citizen at the P.A.C.T workshop with Jo the therapy dog lady! We also did some fun tricks. :-) We have had lots of fun doing pictures with Penny! Here are some of my favorites! http://daughterofthehighkingofkings.weebly.com/ Sunnyslopes Sandy ~ 1/28/2002-7/24/2015
As much fun as we had this year we were heart broken when we lost our old Sandy girl. Here is her tribute! "Death is just another path, one that we all must take..." ~ Gandalf Thanks for the memories old girl! I receive calls from a lot of new puppy owners who are concerned because their new baby has come up with a case of the runs. Why does my puppy have diarrhea? Is it something I should be concerned about? What can I do to clear it up? Most likely, it's nothing serious. The stress of going to a new home has probably upset the puppy's bowls and the diarrhea will clear up on it's own in a day or so. If you choose a different brand of food to feed your puppy, that could also cause the runs, even when you try to transition them to the new food gradually. When should I be concerned?Most diarrhea is nothing to bother calling a veterinarian about. However, it is smart to keep an eye on your dog and watch for any sign that something is wrong. If your dog displays any of the following symptoms along with the diarrhea, then it is time to be concerned: • Black, tar-like stool, or bloody, bright red stool • Loss of appetite • Noticeable lethargy • Frequent vomiting • Signs of abdominal pain (bloating, groaning, panting rapidly or avoidance response when belly is touched) • Lasts longer than 48 hours Helpful ideas and tipsI like to suggest to new puppy owners that they add probiotics to their puppy's food for a week or two, even if the puppy has no bowl problems. Probiotics naturally help the gut clean itself and increases the number of good bacteria that it has. This strengthens the immune system! Probiotics can be found in plain yogurt, which is good for dogs, or it can be purchased from the health food store (and some veterinarians) in powdered acidophilus form, which can then be sprinkled on top of dog food. The powdered form is what I use, because it is easier to keep.
Next, I suggest mixing the puppy's food with plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling). Pumpkin is really good for dogs, is gentle on puppy tummies, and clears up diarrhea OR constipation. I regularly add pumpkin to all my dog's food, especially my puppies. I find that it keeps their poop consistent, their tummies happy, and fewer new owners call me about their puppy having diarrhea. We were playing around with Penny's camera again and this time Nimueh was our model. We had lots of fun! Nim is such a ham (if you can't tell)! ;-)
The camera was a Nikon D3200 with a 50mm F1.8 lens. Penny's website: daughterofthehighkingofkings.weebly.com |
AuthorKristyn Hein. Archives
May 2023
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