more photos from Lori Elizabeth Photography

Copper and Teddy

Teddy Webster

Do you want to know a secret?  All these amazing photos were actually taken in my garage!   I don't know if I am suppose to reveal such truths!   It was a stifling hot day and puppies were running in all directions.   They didn't want to sit still for one moment.  NO JOKE!   So how in the world does this photographer transmit such calm in the midst of chaos?  Well now...that is true art!   So sorry if some pups have more photos than others.  We did our best to capture them all, but some days some puppies are just not as fast as others....and that meant more pictures for them!

Maya goes home!

This afternoon Maya's new family came to take her home.   It was such a happy meeting....a perfect match. A lifetime of love awaits Maya!

I spoke to Maya's family after their drive home to Potomac, MD.  Apparently Maya did very well on the trip.  She slept in her mammas lap all the way.  When she got to her new room, she happily climbed into her crate and played with her toy.   So far so good!   Best wishes for a peaceful night Maya and all!

Looks like puppy love!

....someone has found her baby!

Buddy Goes Home

Today Buddy's family came to take him to their home in South Carolina.  Because of the distance this was their first time they could visit the litter.  So it was perfect that they were the first people to take their puppy home.

The best thing about sending a puppy home is seeing the joy of their new family!

Buddy is so excited to meet his new family!

Lots of love awaits me!

Taking your Puppy Home

Today is the beginning of 'Puppy Adoption' weekend.....meaning our families are coming to bring their puppies home.   I wanted to offer just a quick bit of advice for what you might expect from your puppy.

The DRIVE HOME:

Most of the families that are picking up their puppy have an hour or more to drive home.   Because it is a rather long drive I recommend that you bring someone with you who can hold the puppy with a towel under him/her.  The reason for this, is that the puppies have had a limited experience riding in cars.  The rumbling and vibrations of the automobile are very new to the puppies.   When we took the litter to the veterinary, they traveled in their own familiar crate with the familiar smells and bedding....but still they cried all the way there and back.   The motion of the vehicle was so disconcerting to them.   If you are able to hold your puppy for the ride home then he or she will at least not feel separation anxiety.   Your presence will be a great comfort with the unfamiliar motion of the vehicle.  If your puppy is sleeping or quiet and then starts to whine, it may be that he or she needs to use the potty.  If it is convenient to stop, then it would be good for you to do that.   If traffic prevents you from pulling over you will be happy you at least brought a towel along!

At Home:

When you get home, bring your puppy to his or her new crate and stay with her for a little while as she gets use to the new smells.   Be sure to put her carpet square, and puppy blanket into her crate/or bed.   The familiar smells of the litter will be a HUGE comfort to your puppy when he wants to relax and sleep.  Do not wash your puppy blanket for at least a week.  Make sure your puppy is very comfortable with the smells of his new home first. 

Separation Anxiety:

When you leave your puppy alone for the first time, be prepared for a lot of whining and crying.  This is quite natural and to be expected.   Puppies commonly cry when they are separated from their litter mates.   You will be your puppies new litter, and it will take several days for your puppy to accept that you cannot always be with him.   If possible limit your time away from your puppy for the first several weeks.  Try to keep time away to a minimum.  At night time, put your puppies crate next to your bed and you and your puppy will sleep much better.  NOTE:   You might be tempted to sleep with your puppy.  Please note that most dog experts advice AGAINST this. 

STRESS:

For the first few days your puppy will be under stress being in his new environment.  Watch your puppy carefully for signs of illness especially at this time.  If your puppy refuses to eat his food you might have some GERBER Toddler Lil Sticks on hand.  These little chicken sticks have

• 70mg Omega-3 fatty acids
• No preservatives, nitrites or articicial flavors

  It may be an expensive treat for a puppy....but if your pup is off his feed..this may help get him through his first few days.

 

Avoiding Accidents:

Do not give your puppy free run of your house until you feel confident that your puppy is familiar with the location of the litter box, and you are able to read the signs that he needs to potty.  Sniffing and circling are a clear sign that a puppy needs to potty.  While your puppy begins to enjoy more and more freedom, it is advisable to keep him or her on a leash so that you can prevent an accident.  Remember....preventing bad habits is the best way to ensure good habits! 

Always supervise your puppy when he explores your home for the first several months.   Make sure he cannot chew on any cords, or houseplants, or small objects.  Remember your puppy will be teething and will be going through a chewing stage.   Provide safe chewing options at all time, and keep your puppy and your possessions safe.   Above all do not be beguiled by a cute puppy that chews on a shoe or runs off with your sock.  Cute as it may be now....it will not be cute down the road, when your valuable possessions are at constant risk.

Finally, just use common sense with your puppy.   Protect him like you would protect a toddler.  He or she has a lot of mobility and can get himself into a lot of trouble if you don't look out for them. Just remember that he will quickly outgrow his puppy stage, and the time you give him now will pay off in a well trained companion very soon.

Some more pup photos

I am trying to get as many photos as I can as the puppies are soon to be leaving me!  8 week old are so fast, its hard to capture them on film.  But here are a few from today....

Copper and Maya will be living close by one another. Their owners are very good friends.

Sugar and Teddy think branches are tasty.  ...NOT a good chew toy folks!

Bear gets ready to pounce on Buddy

The warm weather doesn't stop the fun for Maya

Preventing Injury with a puppy

 A small dog has very delicate legs as their bones are developing.  Please be careful not to allow your puppy to jump off of the furniture or other high objects.  In addition to leg injury, the small dog may develop what is known as an "acquired" umbilical hernia.  These usually go away by the time a puppy is 6 months old, but it truly is an injury that could be prevented by not allowing your puppy to jump or fall from the furniture.

Please be extra cautious of young children with small puppies.  It is so easy for them to drop a puppy or accidentally step on one.  Children must be monitored with dogs at all times.  If you are unable to supervise the children and or puppy, please put the puppy in his crate, or in a safe room.   That is what I did when I had a small puppy and a toddler.....I only let the puppy run around the house when I was able to supervise him.  It is the same with my litter of puppies today.   The puppies are only taken out of their pen when I am able to supervise them.  My toddler has also learned that he can only hold a puppy when he is sitting down, with Mom right next to him.   

When my dogs grew up to adults, they were able to have full run of the house.  By that time, the kids knew how to treat them respectfully...and the dogs had learned to tolerate the sometimes loud and rambunctious kid behavior.   But I am not so carefree with visiting children.   If I have any doubt as to how the visiting kids will treat my dogs, I either put the dogs in a crate...or I supervise the interaction of the dogs with the visiting children.   

Beware of Low Blood Sugar!

Some dogs, especially smaller breeds can be susceptible to stress, which can cause a condition of low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia.  In small breed puppies from post-weaning to 4 months of age, the most common form of hypoglycemia is called Transient Juvenile Hypoglycemia.  Even a brief period of fasting in a small breed puppy can trigger a hypoglycemic "attack." 

What are the symptoms: One of these attacks may appear as weakness, confusion, wobbly gait, or seizures.  Additionally if your puppy is lethargic, listless, or not interested in eating, stress and low blood sugar may be the cause.

What to do:  If your puppy appears to have an attack, a small dose of Maple syrup may help your puppy recover.  Do not wait to administer, as the puppy may not make it to the veterinary.  In severe cases intravenous glucose administration is required. 
Stress and hypoglycemia can cause dehydration and can lead to death.  If your puppy shows signs of stress, you can use a quick remedy for this:  Pedialyte (or generic electrolyte replacement formula) can be purchased at WalMart and is an effective quick remedy for stress & hypoglycemia.  Gatorade or similar electrolyte sports drinks can also be utilized.  Even a quick remedy of plain sugar water can be used, if you don’t have anything else available.   If he will drink the fluids on his own, allow him to do so! 
Please note: Improper administration of fluids by syringe or any other means can result in choking or aspiration and can lead to aspiration pneumonia.

Lori Elizabeth Photography

Some gorgeous photos of our puppies from my good friend Lori at..... www.lorielizabethphotography.com/

Teddy Webster Wiles

Bear in a Basket

Bear in a Bowl

Ruby Rose in a Baby Buggy

Photos 2 from Lori Elizabeth Photograph

More photos from Lori....

Buddy

Copper

Sugar

This is Maya...she has pink pads on her back paw that she is showing us.

7 1/2 week girl pups

Ruby Rose

Maya

Ruby and Copper

Maya

Sugar

Sugar

Maya

Ruby Rose

Ruby Rose