Where it all begins
We believe that puppies begin their lives at the moment of conception. So, from that very
moment we want our puppies to have the very best of everything that we can provide. Our Labs
and puppies are fed the best high quality premium dog food available to us. All adult dogs are fed
Purina Pro Plan and Purina Pro Plan Selects with Missing Link and Glycoflex to maintain optimum
health.
Girls that are competitive dogs continue their training throughout pregnancy to maintain their
peak mental and physical condition. Research has shown that mothers who are mentally
challenged during pregnancy have offspring with larger brain weight than mothers who are not.
So, to ensure enhanced mental ability of our pups we continue regular training, exercise,
retrieving and swimming until the day the pups are due.
Skeet swimming at the lake 7days before due Razzy retrieving and swimming on her due day
Each Cedar Creek mom is attended during whelping. All puppies are born in our home in a clean,
disinfected area padded with clean towels and fleeces. They are on a heating pad and/or under a
heat lamp in order to keep the temperature about 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit. As pups are usually
born at night I sit up and offer support and reassurance during birth. I let the mother do
everything herself unless any trouble develops. As the pups are born I secure (tie off) and cut
the umbilical cord and discard the placenta. Each pup is dried by rubbing briskly within seconds
after birth to acquaint her/him with the smell and touch of human hands as well as their dam's
tongue. As soon as the newborn is dried off it is put on the nipple to nurse, as this early
colostrum is essential to protect the pup from disease until the immune system matures.
After each couple of pups are born, the towels and fleeces are taken out and replaced with new
ones and the mom is offered water and lots of reassurance. I tell her what a great mother she is
and how talented and beautiful her babies are, this reassurance helps her to relax. I also make
sure each pup is nursing. When all the pups are born I check on them every two hours, picking
them up and handling them to be sure all is well, and to continue the pup's contact with humans.
We talk to the pups, and tell them how beautiful they are and how smart and talented they are.
Everytime the mom goes out for bathroom breaks we change the towels and fleeces. We spare
no expense on mom's diet during this time, we continue feeding the highest quality Large breed
formula. Puppies are constantly kept on surfaces with good traction, so they don't slip and slide.
This helps to develop good muscle tone and prevents damage to their joints. Some studies have
shown that hip problems can start soon after birth if the pups are kept on slippery surfaces. Our
pups are kept in the center of the family room where they are exposed to all noises of life, phone
ringing, pots and pans, dishwasher etc. As when the pup is in the litter with mom all of this is
accepted with ease and nothing is threatening. Pups are sat down on the carpet, couch and tile
floor so they experience different textures and heights. They learn that "different" is not bad,
there are no adverse circumstances associated with change.
Each life is important and every pup is treated and cherished as an individual. The dewclaws are
removed within 5 days of birth. The dewclaw (thumb) can be subject to tearing and injury in an
active sporting dog.
The puppies eyes and ears start to open at 14 days, and now they are ready to take on the world,
starting with their litter mates. Around 20 days they start to walk around and bark, growl and play
with one another. At this time we place several plush and fleece toys in with them to encourage
them to play, hold in their mouth and walk over them. We also place toys above their heads to
encourage them to look up and explore the world above them, in preparation for looking in the
sky for game birds.
During this time we continue to pick them up, hug them, kiss them and encourage them to
explore! By the time they are four and a half weeks old, we move them to a larger area that has a
sleeping area, a potty area, and a play area. Pups at this young age can start to learn to be clean
in their personal habits, and that there are acceptable places to eliminate (outside), and other
areas for eating and sleeping. It is at this time that they start getting regular meals during the day
when they are separated from their mother. Mom still gets night duty, the pups will continue to
eat and sleep with their mom for another week.
At five and a half weeks old the pups get three meals a day and say goodbye to mom. It is time to
be on their own. They will be fed the best large breed puppy food we can provide. This last week
with us is very busy and can be very stressful, so we continue to ensure the pups with lots of
praise and love. Weather permitting the pups will spend most of this time outside in different
areas. At this time they see other dogs, horses, humans, cats, ATV's and they hear all the sounds
of Cedar Creek, guns firing, duck calls, ducks in the pond, barking dogs and horses. They are
taken for walks in the field and down to the pond. They are encouraged to enter the pond on
their own in a group(safety in numbers) and usually don't hesitate. Pups are introduced to collar,
leash and crate conditioning. We take the pups for rides around the farm in the SUV in a group.
They are introduced to dove, pheasant, duck, quail and/or pigeons at this time. You will not find
a shy pup here at Cedar Creek, our pups are raised with 100% Confidence (please see our
Testimonial page.)
As the pups grow I get to know each ones personality and aptitude. This helps me to ensure that
you get the right pup for your household. These notes help me sort this out for you so, you are
completely satisfied with your new family member.
When you come to pick up your pup we will explain what health care your puppy has received
and what we suggest for the future, what puppy food your puppy is eating and how often, we will
talk to you about heart worm preventative and flea control, spay and neuter, treats, toys and
training.
We will continue to answer questions for you throughout your puppies life.
Back to the HOME PAGE
We believe that puppies begin their lives at the moment of conception. So, from that very
moment we want our puppies to have the very best of everything that we can provide. Our Labs
and puppies are fed the best high quality premium dog food available to us. All adult dogs are fed
Purina Pro Plan and Purina Pro Plan Selects with Missing Link and Glycoflex to maintain optimum
health.
Girls that are competitive dogs continue their training throughout pregnancy to maintain their
peak mental and physical condition. Research has shown that mothers who are mentally
challenged during pregnancy have offspring with larger brain weight than mothers who are not.
So, to ensure enhanced mental ability of our pups we continue regular training, exercise,
retrieving and swimming until the day the pups are due.
Skeet swimming at the lake 7days before due Razzy retrieving and swimming on her due day
Each Cedar Creek mom is attended during whelping. All puppies are born in our home in a clean,
disinfected area padded with clean towels and fleeces. They are on a heating pad and/or under a
heat lamp in order to keep the temperature about 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit. As pups are usually
born at night I sit up and offer support and reassurance during birth. I let the mother do
everything herself unless any trouble develops. As the pups are born I secure (tie off) and cut
the umbilical cord and discard the placenta. Each pup is dried by rubbing briskly within seconds
after birth to acquaint her/him with the smell and touch of human hands as well as their dam's
tongue. As soon as the newborn is dried off it is put on the nipple to nurse, as this early
colostrum is essential to protect the pup from disease until the immune system matures.
After each couple of pups are born, the towels and fleeces are taken out and replaced with new
ones and the mom is offered water and lots of reassurance. I tell her what a great mother she is
and how talented and beautiful her babies are, this reassurance helps her to relax. I also make
sure each pup is nursing. When all the pups are born I check on them every two hours, picking
them up and handling them to be sure all is well, and to continue the pup's contact with humans.
We talk to the pups, and tell them how beautiful they are and how smart and talented they are.
Everytime the mom goes out for bathroom breaks we change the towels and fleeces. We spare
no expense on mom's diet during this time, we continue feeding the highest quality Large breed
formula. Puppies are constantly kept on surfaces with good traction, so they don't slip and slide.
This helps to develop good muscle tone and prevents damage to their joints. Some studies have
shown that hip problems can start soon after birth if the pups are kept on slippery surfaces. Our
pups are kept in the center of the family room where they are exposed to all noises of life, phone
ringing, pots and pans, dishwasher etc. As when the pup is in the litter with mom all of this is
accepted with ease and nothing is threatening. Pups are sat down on the carpet, couch and tile
floor so they experience different textures and heights. They learn that "different" is not bad,
there are no adverse circumstances associated with change.
Each life is important and every pup is treated and cherished as an individual. The dewclaws are
removed within 5 days of birth. The dewclaw (thumb) can be subject to tearing and injury in an
active sporting dog.
The puppies eyes and ears start to open at 14 days, and now they are ready to take on the world,
starting with their litter mates. Around 20 days they start to walk around and bark, growl and play
with one another. At this time we place several plush and fleece toys in with them to encourage
them to play, hold in their mouth and walk over them. We also place toys above their heads to
encourage them to look up and explore the world above them, in preparation for looking in the
sky for game birds.
During this time we continue to pick them up, hug them, kiss them and encourage them to
explore! By the time they are four and a half weeks old, we move them to a larger area that has a
sleeping area, a potty area, and a play area. Pups at this young age can start to learn to be clean
in their personal habits, and that there are acceptable places to eliminate (outside), and other
areas for eating and sleeping. It is at this time that they start getting regular meals during the day
when they are separated from their mother. Mom still gets night duty, the pups will continue to
eat and sleep with their mom for another week.
At five and a half weeks old the pups get three meals a day and say goodbye to mom. It is time to
be on their own. They will be fed the best large breed puppy food we can provide. This last week
with us is very busy and can be very stressful, so we continue to ensure the pups with lots of
praise and love. Weather permitting the pups will spend most of this time outside in different
areas. At this time they see other dogs, horses, humans, cats, ATV's and they hear all the sounds
of Cedar Creek, guns firing, duck calls, ducks in the pond, barking dogs and horses. They are
taken for walks in the field and down to the pond. They are encouraged to enter the pond on
their own in a group(safety in numbers) and usually don't hesitate. Pups are introduced to collar,
leash and crate conditioning. We take the pups for rides around the farm in the SUV in a group.
They are introduced to dove, pheasant, duck, quail and/or pigeons at this time. You will not find
a shy pup here at Cedar Creek, our pups are raised with 100% Confidence (please see our
Testimonial page.)
As the pups grow I get to know each ones personality and aptitude. This helps me to ensure that
you get the right pup for your household. These notes help me sort this out for you so, you are
completely satisfied with your new family member.
When you come to pick up your pup we will explain what health care your puppy has received
and what we suggest for the future, what puppy food your puppy is eating and how often, we will
talk to you about heart worm preventative and flea control, spay and neuter, treats, toys and
training.
We will continue to answer questions for you throughout your puppies life.
Back to the HOME PAGE
