raisingpuppies

Raising Puppies Information Page

First of all...

Not all Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are the same, and similarly, not all
reputable breeders are the same. A Swissy puppy should never be an impulse
buy, and should never be chosen based solely upon price
and availability. Breeders do things very differently, and you
need to feel comfortable that you are getting a well socialized,
healthy puppy that is a good match for your family. Much thought
and research needs to go into the purchase of a puppy. A well bred
puppy from a breeder you trust and feel comfortable with is
invaluable, and simply put, it's worth waiting for.

Preface

First and foremost, we are a hobby kennel. This means that we exist
for the pure love of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. How we decide to breed is
thought out very carefully on many levels. We want health, temperament, and
of course structure and type. I try to research and look through pedigrees trying
to find the best match for each girl. I look at what I want to improve upon and
better in my girls, and then try to find a male with the right dogs behind him. I
do not look at the dog in front of me only, but what is behind and to the side of
each pedigree. Temperament and personality is critical in deciding which dog to
use on one of our girls. I want puppies that can be confident and have good
working drive. Every litter we have is bred with the intention of keeping a puppy
or puppies to continue our lines and build on the dogs we have. We are not "in
business" and do not attempt to make a profit on our puppies as any money
made goes right back into the dogs. Puppies we don't keep are sold to
pre-screened loving pet homes on Limited AKC registration with spay/neuter
contracts. Because we are a hobby kennel, we are extremely particular as to
where our puppies end up.

We like to believe that our pups are given a great start on life. All
puppy parents have at minimum OFA hips, OFA Normal elbows and a current
CERF exam and come from ancestry with similar clearances. These health
screenings give your puppy a much better chance of being free from such
genetic diseases that are
common in Swissie. At Houha Swissies we take very seriously the raising of our
puppies. We try to expose them to all kinds of sights and sounds and everything
they may encounter in their new homes. I have 3 children that are very active in
the raising and care of all of our Swissies. I have a baby that is was born in Jan of
'08 and he is already intrigued and infatuated with the dogs. For the first 8
weeks of life, puppies are very vulnerable and also very impressionable.
Because of this, much of what we do with the puppies is shaping, influencing
and preparing them for the dogs that they will become. We care about every
puppy that leaves our home and want every family to be
successful in raising their puppy. Therefore, we make ourselves
available at any time for any questions, advice, or trouble-shooting
for the life of the dog. We are happy to help whenever as it is very
important to see both the family and the dog happy!

Newborn puppies are marked with colored collars so that we
can monitor and record each puppy's weight and health.
Newborns are given Benebac to immediately add the "good
bacteria" to their digestive system and gut, and Benebac is
continued for several days and then administered weekly. At day
three, we begin early neurological stimulation exercises that were
developed by the US Military canine program. These five
exercises are designed to stimulate the neurological system in
order to give the dog a superior advantage. There are
documented benefits and we have found the use of these exercise
very beneficial in developing puppies who become quicker
learners. (Visit www.breedingbetterdogs.com/achiever.html for
more details and benefits)

One week old babies take turns being held by us for longer
periods of time to begin reinforcing that bond to humans.
Because the puppies are still blind and deaf, their sense of smell is
what they depend on for everything. Our holding/bonding time
is done in another room of our home to introduce the new smells
of a different environment.

Two week old babies are given their first dose of Nemex 2,
which is what we use as a de-wormer. Puppies are wormed 2 or
3 more times in the next six weeks. At this time, eyes have
opened and ears will be opening soon. Babies are starting to get
up on their feet and move around a little more. Socialization
continues with more bonding time and "play time" with us in our
family room. We also start leaving a radio or TV on in the puppy room so that
as ears are opening, they are hearing different voices.

Three week old babies are taken outside in their portable puppy
box (plastic storage container) weather permitting. If the weather
is warm, puppies get to feel the grass beneath their feet for the
first time. Three week old puppies are walking around on all
fours quite well and are becoming much more interactive, playing
with each other and starting to play with toys. It is also at the 2-3
week old time frame that we introduce them to goats milk, the
first step in weaning them onto dog food.

Four week old babies are moved into their puppy pen where 1/2
of the pen is a play/sleep area and the other half is a potty area.
It takes a couple of days, but with mom's help, the puppies potty
train themselves to eliminate only in the potty area, keeping their
bedding clean and dry. This comes in handy for when you begin
crate training and house breaking your puppy, because he is
learning not to mess his sleeping area.

Five week old puppies are introduced to a tunnel, both inside
and outside if weather permits. We also start bringing puppies
onto different surfaces and expose them to different noises within
our house such as the vacuum, microwave, hair dryer, etc.

Six week old puppies get regular time outside, even if it is for
short periods of time in the cold or rain! We create a puppy play
area that includes ramps, an agility tunnel, a slide, lots of toys,
and large objects to climb on and explore. We praise them for
eliminating outside and start using the word "potty" in hopes that
they will learn it by the time they leave here, making house
training easier for you. Puppies are introduced to a crate both
individually and as a group. We also start to evaluate puppies
for both show and personality at this time, and evaluations
usually include the opinions of several other breeders. At this
time I start to think about puppy possibilities for each family,
trying to match the best puppy for each family.

Seven week old puppies continue to have outside time, crate time, and are
socialized and interacting with even more people and children. We make final
evaluations and decide which placed in either show, working or companion
homes and which personalities fit and match each family.

Eight week old puppies receive their first vaccination and are
microchipped during their puppy wellness exam. Puppies may go to their new
homes beginning three days after their vaccination, to ensure that there are no
vaccine reactions. Puppies are sent to their new homes with a puppy packet that
includes lots of information, articles and recommendations, a health record, a
four generation pedigree, pictures and health clearances of the parents.