Day 3 (8/5/2003)
Day 3 (8/5/2003)
Methods of Stimulation
The U.S. Military in their canine program developed a method that still serves as a guide to what works. In an effort to improve the performance of dogs used for military purposes, a program called "Bio Sensor" was developed. Later, it became known to the public as the "Super Dog" Program. Based on years of research, the military learned that early neurological stimulation exercises could have important and lasting effects. Their studies confirmed that there are specific time periods early in life when neurological stimulation has optimum results. The first period involves a window of time that begins at the third day of life and lasts until the sixteenth day. It is believed that because this interval of time is a period of rapid neurological growth and development, and therefore is of great importance to the individual.
The "Bio Sensor" program was also concerned with early neurological stimulation in order to give the dog a superior advantage. Its development utilized six exercises, which were designed to stimulate the neurological system. Each workout involved handling puppies once each day. The workouts required handling them one at a time while performing a series of five exercises. Listed in nor order of preference the handler starts with one put and stimulates it using each of the five exercises. The handler completes the series from beginning to end before starting with the next pup. The handling of each pup once per day involves the following exercises:
1. Tactile stimulation - holding the pup in one hand, the handler gently stimulates (tickles) the pup between the toes on any one foot using a Q-tip. It is not necessary to see that the pup is feeling the tickle. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.
2. Head held erect - using both hands, the pup is held perpendicular to the ground, (straight up), so that its head is directly above its tail. This is an upwards position. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds
3. Head pointed down - holding the pup firmly with both hands the head is reversed and is pointed downward so that it is pointing towards the ground. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds
4. Supine position - hold the pup so that its back is resting in the palm of both hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling. The pup while on its back is allowed to sleep struggle. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.
5. Thermal stimulation - use a damp towel that has been cooled in a refrigerator for at least five minutes. Place the pup on the towel, feet down. Do not restrain it from moving. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.
Head held erect
Head pointed down
Supine position
Thermal stimulation
These five exercises will produce neurological stimulations, none of which naturally occur during this early period of life. Experience shows that sometimes pups will resist these exercises, others will appear unconcerned. In either case a caution is offered to those who plan to use them. Do not repeat them more than once per day and do not extend the time beyond that recommended for each exercise. Over stimulation of the neurological system can have adverse and detrimental results.
These exercises impact the neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be normally expected. The result being an increased capacity that later will help to make the difference in its performance. Those who play with their pups and routinely handle them should continue to do so because the neurological exercises are not substitutions for routine handling, play socialization or bonding.
Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises:
In tests of learning, stimulated pups were found to be more active and were more exploratory than their non- stimulated littermates over which they were dominant in competitive situations.
8/6/2003 Day 4
This morning Seger gets up, and I change the whelping box. The pups are put through the bio sensor exercises, and put back with mom.
I have known several people who have had an adult dog tear a dewclaw part way off, and after seeing that, they were definitely in favor of removal at 3-4 days old. If done at the proper age there should be very little if any pain and bleeding. (most pups just give a little squeak) I apply some "Kwik Stop" styptic powder to stop any bleeding. I also give each pup a drop of Rescue Remedy before I take off the dewclaws. I don't recommend you try this at home, unless you have been trained to do it!
The CCR standard states “dewclaws are generally removed”
Here you see a paw with dewclaw, just removed, Kwik Stop
applied, and paw without dewclaw.
While I remove the dewclaws, I put Seger outside, in the car, in her crate with the radio on.
I also give her a few drops of Rescue Remedy so she isn't as nervous about being away from her family. I am not one of these 100% holistic people when it comes to the dogs, but I have found a lot of benifit with some of the Bach Flower Essences and other natural products. (as you remember, I use the Solid Gold Concept-A-Bitch product on Seger durring her pregnancy) Again, that is a natural product, with kelp, red raspberry leaves, wild yam and folic acid.
No one had back dewclaws, and the whole thing took about half an hr.
I have started to supplement some of the pups. They get most of their milk from Seger, and I wanted to make sure they all got a few days of first milk or colostrum. But 11 pups is a lot for the mom (who only has 11 teats to start with!) She is pretty good at rotating the pups, so that they all get a chance to nurse every few hrs, but if every station is full, and someone is still looking to latch on, I will get out the bottle and milk replacer. I like to use Just Born. I get the cartons of the pre mixed formula. It is cheaper to get the powder and mix it up yourself, but since I don't have to use much of it, the cartons work fine. If I were raising an orphaned litter, and every meal, every 3 hrs depended on it, I would be using the powder.
Just Born Milk Replacer for Puppies is a completely balanced nutritional formula closely matches the nutritional profile of
mother's milk. Just Born Milk Replacer for Puppies contains all the protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and amino acids puppies need for optimal growth.
It includes three protein sources: casein, skimmed milk and soy protein isolate. Just Born Milk Replacer for Puppies is a powder formula mixes quickly with water,
producing a smooth blend. Just Born Milk Replacer for Puppies may also be fed to orphaned wildlife: squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, ferrets, beavers, Virginia
opossums.
JUST BORN GUARANTEED ANALYSIS (as a powder):
CRUDE PROTEIN, min...............................29.0%
CRUDE FAT, min ..................................28.0%
CRUDE FIBER, max .................................0.2%
MOISTURE, max ....................................5.0%
ASH, max .........................................8.0%
Directions for Use: Your veterinarian should be consulted for advice about the care and feeding of puppies.
Directions for Preparation and Use: Weigh the puppy. Feed at least ½ oz. of JUST BORN® for every 2 ounces of body weight, daily. Puppies should be allowed to consume as much formula as they want. Shake well before using. To open, unfold the corner and cut along the dotted line. Pour liquid into an appropriate sized, clean Just Born® nursing bottle. Reclose carton and refrigerate. Heat liquid by placing nursing bottle in a pan of tepid water. Test temperature on your wrist. It should feel slightly warm. Do not microwave. After feeding, hold the puppy's head on your shoulder and rub his back gently until he burps. Make water readily available after puppies are 2 weeks of age. Farnam water bottles are recommended.
Weight of Animal
Amount Per Feeding if Fed Every ...
8 Hrs
6 Hrs
4 Hrs
2 oz.
1 tsp.
¾ tsp.
½ tsp.
4 oz.
2 tsp.
1½ tsp.
1 tsp.
8 oz.
4 tsp.
3 tsp.
2 tsp.
16 oz.
8 tsp.
6 tsp.
4 tsp.
Orphaned Puppies: If possible, puppies should nurse from their mother for the first 2 days of their lives to receive nutrient rich colostrum. Mother's colostrum provides temporary protection from numerous diseases and contains growth factors believed to stimulate protein synthesis, improve fat utilization, and promote cell growth. While mother's milk is always preferable, JUST BORN® contains nutrient rich colostrum milk powder harvested at USDA inspected facilities. It is extremely important to weigh puppies frequently (every day) to insure they are receiving adequate amounts of supplement. If a puppy loses weight after 48 hours, consult your veterinarian. Feed weak or small puppies every 4 hours, feed at 8 hour intervals if strong and active. Puppies' needs will vary and the time and amount may have to be increased or decreased, depending on the breed, growth rate and activity of the puppy. Orphan puppies must be kept warm for proper digestion to occur. Also, use a warm, moist washcloth and gently wipe the puppy's bottom until it wets and has a bowel movement, several times daily, to imitate a mother's care. This is required for young puppy survival.
Weaning Puppies: Healthy puppies may be weaned when they are about 25 days old or when they can lap formula from a bowl. At this age, blend a high quality dry puppy food with warm JUST BORN® Liquid Formula to make a paste. Feed the mixture 3-4 times a day for the first week. Each week, increase the amount of dry food in the mixture so that after 6-7 weeks the puppy is fully on dry food.
Pregnant and Lactating Bitches: Mix 1 tablespoon of JUST BORN® Milk Replacer per 5 pounds of body weight into the pregnant bitch's daily ration. Continue until the puppies are weaned.
Supplementation: If a supplement is desired for a growing puppy, show dog, large litter, geriatric or convalescing dog, simply mix 1 tablespoon per 5 pounds of body weight into the dog's daily ration of food.
Day Five (8/7/2003)
For information email me at:
Click on book above, or mail a check to:
Pictures of the family
Cathy Lewandowski
8282 Soft Maple Road
Croghan NY 13327
Follow a litter of puppies from birthday until they go to their new homes. The diary contains lots of pictures, tips on puppy rearing, some breed specific information,
and lots of information on the care of any breed of dog.
I started doing an on-line puppy diary since many of the people that would be getting one of my pups would not be able to travel here to see the pups. I did not
want
to put a bunch of cute puppy pictures online, and encourage anyone to have a litter just because they wanted to see cute puppies! Breeding dogs, if done the right
way, is a lot of work. Lost sleep and sometimes heartache. It takes a lot of time, effort and money to raise a litter of puppies. Once I started doing The Puppy
Diary, I realized I had a captive audience. These people logged on every day to see the pictures, and read what was happening. I used this opportunity to cram as
much education into each day as I could. Health, Coat issues, grooming, feeding, socializing, vet care, puppy evaluations, shipping puppies.... you name it! I tried
to
put it in The Diary. It was suggested that I make it into a book. Well here it is! There are 560 pictures and over 300 pages of living with and watching one litter
grow up. I am sure may conscientious, caring breeders raise litters similar to the way I do. Its is a good look into the time, money, commitment it takes to
bring
up a litter of pups. Some of the things that go on behind the scenes, that the eventual puppies owners (family), never realize go into the litter.
Enjoy my litter as I see them. Day to day
Contents
Chapter One (Week One) ... Page 1
Seger comes into season
Happy Birthday!
Removing the Dewclaws
Start of the Bio Sensor program
Chapter Two (Week Two) ... Page 48
Coat issues.
Tail Gland Hyperplasia
Do Curlies Shed?
Chapter Three (Week Three) ... Page 94
End of Bio Sensor Exercises
Worming The puppies
Eyes are open
First pup escapes from the box
Chapter Four (Week Four) ... Page 130
Weaning. The great food fight!
Introduction to the puppy play room
Shark Cage
Chapter Five (Week Five) ... Page 156
Field dog? Show Dog? CPE?
Happy Mothers Day!
First Stacked pictures
Chapter Six (Week Six) ... Page 195
Toys! Toys! Toys!
What’s In A Name?
Kids and Dogs
Introduction to Wings
Chapter Seven (Week Seven) ... Page 236
About Puppies and Retrieving
Socialize your puppy
First Shots & Vet Visit
Splish Splash, first bath!
Chapter Eight (Week Eight) ... Page 286
Shape up or ship out!
Requirements to ship puppies
See all the pups!