16 The Breeding Journey Flashcards
Why breed? (3)
- to preserve the breed in a healthy way
- dog sports
- gap between preference and whats available
what to consider before breeding?
- is it ethical?
- time
- money: lucky to even breakeven on a litter (vax, microchip, xrays)
- risk of having puppies (stillborn and risk to mum)
Preparation: the bitch
- study her pedigree (can breed away from weakness)
- evaluate temperament (nature) and structure (pick stud that complements features)
- health testing
- understand particular reproductive cycle
- progesterone testing and further reproductive testing as necessary
Bitch health testing (4)
- hips
- eyes
- elbows
- genetic testing (specific to breed)
* never mate carrier to carrier
Prep: stud dog
- study pedigree
- evaluate temperament and structure
- health and dna testing
- coming to agreement with owner
- registered with dogs vic
- cost (what happens if no viable puppies)
- travel
- who supervises
Gestation (pregnancy) - 4 weeks
- DONT FEED EXTRA CA, will have disasterous outcomes; can inject after each puppy to give strength to keep going
- normal exercise
- normal diet (no puppy food, no extra Ca)
- behavioral changes (very subtle)
Gestation - 8 weeks
- worm the bitch
- set up whelping box
- behavioral changes: sleeping more, less tolerant
- nutrition: slight increase in quantity of food
why is it important to worm the bitch?
- eggs and larvae can stay dormant in a dog and whelping (giving birth) can stimulate
- can cross through placenta to the puppies
- must worm puppies every 2 weeks
Day 63: things to look for
- temperature drop
- 3x daily from day 59 (37.3-37.9)
- 63 days from ovulation (NOT mating) 36.6 - behavioral changes
- nesting
- restlessness
- very intolerable of other cats and dogs
Whelping: things to know (4)
- breech birth
- placenta count
- secondary interia
- never feed a cold pup
breech birth
when a puppy is not in the correct position when he enters the birth canal
-typically will be coming out tail and bottom forward while one hind leg is extended in the opposite direction
placenta count
wont always come out in the same order; need to count to make sure nothing is retained (will get infected)
secondary inertia
uterine inertia: absence of effective uterine contractions during labor
- secondary: uterine inertia that occurs when the contractions are initially vigorous then decrease in vigour and the progress of labour ceases
- administer calcium, exercise
why cant you feed a cold pup?
wont be able to digest food; food will sit in the stomach, ferment and rot away
Behavioral development and socialisation (puppy) (3)
- socialisation (to other dogs, humans, cats)
- habituation (sensory); make them get used tot he normal senses
- environmental enrichment (toys, training, food)
Puppy week 1
- eyes and ears closed (still have active senses)
- active senses (touch, taste and smell)
- completely dependent on mother (eat, sleep. crawl, toilet with stimulation)
Day 1 (of birth)
- start 2x daily antibiotics (10 days) to get rid of the risk of pneumonia
- observe behavior
- weigh in daily (ideally double birth weight at day 7)
Behaviors (day 1)
dam- calm, cleaning and feeding pups, protective
pups- quiet, content, active, clean, feeding well
Day 2 (of birth)
introduce new surfaces after daily handling and weigh in
Day 3 (of birth)
- intro Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) once per day for 2 weeks
- tactile stimulation (between toes)
- held erect
- head pointed down
- thermal stimulation (like cold damp cloth)
ENS
- mild stress may stimulate the hormonal, adrenal and pituitary systems
- may result in adults that are more able to cope, adjust and adapt
- over stimulation may have adverse effects
Day 4 (of birth)
- desensitisation program (make less sensitive)
- handle paws and ears
- open mouth
- trim nails
- household noise; slam doors, drop saucepans
Week 3 (of birth)
- first visitor risk: may bring in diseases
- desensitisation CSs
- introduce separate area in whelping box for toileting
- administer probiotics at the conclusion of ab corse
- nutrition and exercise for the dam
- intro solids
Week 4 (of birth)
- first 3 weeks will be easy (mom does everything)
- start escaping whelping box
- change set up (new visual stimulation)
- olfactory stimulation
- challenges and coping skills
- worming
Week 5 (of birth)
- increase variety and number of meals
- toilet train
- outdoor adventures
- visitors, intro cats, increase interaction w other dogs
Training dogs for vehicle rides
get them in a crate and shake it around violently for 30s then release them to run freely (+ reinforcement)
Week 6 (of birth)
- mother may not choose to sleep with litter at night
- continue w sound conditioning
- handling exercises (grooming, vet)
- car rides
- motorized toys
- ramps, steps, unstable surfaces
What to do for puppies (~6 weeks) (5)
- microchip
- vaccines
- seek puppy buyers
- medical issues
- endless cleaning
Week 7 (of birth)
- just about weaned (accustomed)
- spend less time with mum
- beginning of first fear period (stressors need to be minimised)
- individual feeding
- intro collar and leash
