Planning for Puppies Part 2

So, we've chosen our parents and are waiting for Rowan to come into season so we can breed her and hope for a litter!

One thing that's important when planning to breed your dog is that you have a relationship with the dam so you can work as a team when whelping and rearing the puppies. It's important that you've established a relationship that involves trust and leadership (on YOUR part!) so that you can help her if necessary, and so that she will permit a vet to do so, just in case.

Rowan is accustomed to being touched all over, having her ears and teeth cleaned, and having her nails done. I can pick her up, move her about, and check her all over for parasites or injuries after a hunting trip. This means that when we are delivering puppies, hopefully she will be comfortable with me being able to examine her or assist her if necessary.

Being the leader in our relationship, I expect her to allow me to handle the puppies and examine them, as well. It's important (very!) to allow momdog to do her job with the pups. The more she does on her own, the less YOU have to do, and the better mother she will be - nature has given her the skills, the breeder must step back and let her use them. However, it's also necessary to weigh the pups, clip their tiny toenails and check them over every day, so I need her to allow me to do this.

Some of this relationship is built based on how Rowan was raised and how she is treated at the house. She is part of the family and used to being handled and to spending time with us. But the big help will be obedience training. It will be interesting to see how this comes in handy in the months to come.

Rowan is about 5 weeks old in this photo. She was born at Corwyn and still spends a LOT of time hanging over my shoulder....