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 How We Raise Our Pups
 
     Here at Fine German Shepherds we get many e-mails from perspective puppy buyers inquiring about our procedures in raising pups. We think that the best way to answer this, is by showing pictures with explanations underneath. We will start from birth and share up to about 8-10 weeks. Enjoy! Joseph and Maureen.  


At FineGermanShepherds we begin to prepare our dogs for a litter before the breeding takes place. We feed our dogs high-quality food and make sure the dogs are in "tip-top" shape for the big job ahead of them. We insure the safety of the litter by having our registered veterinarian do a "head count" approximately one week before delivery. In this way, if there are any complications in labor, we know exactly how many pups are suppose to be coming. We are able to act quickly if our dog seems to be stopping labor or is having difficulty, when we have the knowlege of knowing how many pups are expected. 
     The pups are born in a smaller, confined, heated area of our house, where they are constantly monitored on a 24/7 basis to make sure they are all eating sufficiently and staying warm. This area is kept very clean and our bitch is bathed almost immediately after delivery to make sure she does not get any bacteria build-up from old blood on the whelping pen surface or her skin. Though cardboard may not seem to be as visually attractive in the whelping pen, we like to use it, because we can change it as often as it is soiled. For the first week or two, this cardboard is changed every day and sometimes twice a day.


How We Raise Our Pups


The pups are now almost 3 weeks old! It is time for them to be moved to their bigger indoor pen! This pen is in a section of our house where it is heated in the winter and cooled in the summer. The walls are all washable because 8 puppies can tend to be messy campers! The floor is a thick cardboard that is changed on a daily basis. I begin to put toys and blankets in their area. The blankets are sanitized and changed every day. The toys are bleached early every morning so they are ready to be played with when the day begins. At this time, the pups doggie-door, ( which leads out to a very nice outdoor puppy play area) is kept closed. The pups are still too small to be going outside at all. Their mother is still with them most of the time and only leaving long enough to relieve herself. The pups are starting to get used to being handled on an everyday basis. We get right into the pen and sit with them. We start watching personalities at this young age and are already starting little games with them to help them gain coordination.  

 
At 5 weeks old, we open the doggie-door for the puppies. They have learned enough coordination by this time, to be able to tackle the task of walking down the little ramp to their beautiful outdoor pen. The fresh air on a lovely day is good for them, and they begin to learn about the sights and smells of the outdoors. We only allow them to go out for a few hours at a time when they are first learning. We leave the door open longer and longer each day until they are coming in and going out as they please during daylight hours. They are closed in during the night at all times.

Here are some of the pups lounging in their outdoor area. They are old enough now to be introduced to many new experiences, including other dogs that we have and cats. The pups are going to start to learn a recall now that they are outside more. I start this by teaching them to come when I bring them their "puppy porridge." They are still nursing from their mother at 5 weeks old, but I am slowly integrating them onto solids. When they are first learning, they all eat out of one big bowl. Within one weeks time, I usually have them all coming to me whenever I call them.

Now that the pups are going outside to their big play area on an everyday basis, we make sure that they are monitored, played with, and handled by lots of people. Our Fine German Shepherd adult dogs have all been raised around pups, so it is a great thing to be able to trust big stud dogs (like this one in the picture), around our little puppies. Some of our older dogs even try to play with them in a gentle way. If I have to leave to run any errands, the pups are placed back in their indoor area until I return home.

By 7 weeks old, the pups have a recall down so well, that we take them to our 2 1/2 acre property next door totally off leash. This picture was taken when we called them to come to us and we were about 50 feet away. They immediately came, all in a line, wanting to see what we wanted. Notice also, how confident they are in a big space when this was their first trip next door. They really enjoy the exercise and we make sure they are learning while we are also having fun with them.


Here are some 9 week old puppies learning how to play "ball on a string." We learn a lot about the pups work and play drive, and how outgoing they are, by these little games we do with them. It is easy to see who is more outgoing in a competitive game like this.When people come to purchase a puppy from us, we feel confident that we know personalities very well by this time, and try to match the pups to the given personality needs of the potential owner.   

Here is a very loved  pup lounging in the indoor play area with a new toy from Nana. He will be going to his new home soon, and I enjoy them to the fullest as long as they are with me. It is hard to say goodbye.


The pups are 8-9 weeks old in this picture. Today is the day they are going to new homes. This is the last time that Nana gets to have them all swarm around her before customers start coming to take them to their new homes. I sit and ponder over each one, hoping that I made the right choice with each new owner. Some of the adopters have waited for several months for this special day, so I get myself ready to put on the "happy face" to send off the pups. The people are greeted with smiles, cheer, and lots of information all put in a beautiful gift bag, along with the toys Nana recently bought them. I take lots of time to go over all necessary details, as I beg for people to "promise and send me pictures." I give my pup that "final hug" then say "Goodbye." As the people leave in total excitement, I wipe a tear, take a big sigh,and ask myself, "Why do I do this??????????"After a moment of thought, I answer myself, "Because the German Shepherd breed is the noblest, most honorable, intelligent, and beautiful breed of dog that I could ever have the privilege of breeding and owning." I hope you all enjoyed "How We Raise Our Pups." Sincerely, Nana (Maureen)and Joseph from FineGermanShepherds.
 

 

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