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When the mother of the litter is expecting puppies, she is kept inside the house with us. We stay with her during the last days leading up to her birthing. We take her temperature several times a day, when that drops, we know it wont be long until the babies are here! We help her with her whelping, breaking bags, cutting cords, help her clean the puppies, then we place them in a warm basket while she is busy with having the rest of her family.

After all the babies are here, we check them out daily, weighing them, making sure they are eating and thriving as they should be. Up until about 3 weeks old, mom does all the work and feeding. We start feeding the puppies 'puppy mush', puppy food soaked in water and stirred to a soup, after 3 weeks, they are now drinking water well at this age. We feed them 3 times a day until they are ready to leave Heringo. After 5 weeks, we let do put warm water on the food, but give them the food without the mush, not soaking it as long. We change their water constantly as puppies do get that pretty dirty pawing in it and and sticking their noses in it. Its very important to keep their water clean!

*Your puppy's nails are trimmed weekly, as they can get PRETTY sharp and mom doesnt like that while they are nursing. Long puppy nails can scratch mom and possibly cause pain and discomfort while nursing.

 *Your puppy is dewormed at 2,3,4,6, and 8 weeks. We use Pyrantel Pamoate. However, at 8 weeks, we normally use drontal.

*Your puppy is given a parvo vaccine at 5 weeks old, then a combo vaccine at 6 and 8 weeks old.

*Your puppy gets his/her vet check between 6 and 8 weeks. Our wondeful veterinarian checks their stool, eyes, ears, mouth, heart, just a great overall checkup. We always give our vet the name of the family taking the puppy that he is checking so it is documented. If anything AT ALL if found with your puppy, now matter how big or small, you would be notified the day of the vet check. We do not hide anything about our puppies or dogs, its not worth money or our name!

YOUR PUPPY WILL NEVER BE KEPT OUTDOORS! THEY ARE INSIDE OUR HOME OR OUR PUPPY HOUSE, WITH HEAT AND AIR. THEY DO GET PLAYTIME OUTDOORS WHEN THE WEATHER PERMITS, IN AN EXERCISE PEN THAT HAS BEEN PUT UP IN THE FRONT YARD JUST FOR THEM. THEY ARE NEVER LEFT UNSUPERVISED. THEY ARE NEVER OUT UNTIL THEIR VACCINATIONS HAVE STARTED.

After all that is done and 8 weeks rolls around, your baby is then ready to go home!! Wink