How Puppies are Raised At Cedar Creek Retrievers

We believe that puppies begin their lives at the moment of conception.

So, from that moment we want our puppies to have the very best we can provide.

Our females continue daily exercise throughout pregnancy to maintain their peak

mental and physical condition.

Studies show that mothers who continue to stay active and mentally challenged during pregnancy

produce healthier offspring.

To ensure enhanced mental ability of our puppies we continue light training, exercise,

retrieving and swimming until the day the puppies are due as long as the dam desires. 

 

ALL Cedar Creek dams are attended during whelping.  

 

All puppies are born in our home in a clean, disinfected area padded with clean towels and fleeces.

The room temperature will stay at 85 degrees and the floor is heated on one side allowing the puppies to 

move on and off of the heated area freely.  

As puppies are usually born at night we sit up and offer support snd reassurance during birth.

 We assist the dam as needed. 

As the puppies are born each one is dried by rubbing briskly immediately after birth with a warm, clean towel

to acquaint her/him with the smell and touch of human hands.

The puppy is then placed with the dam to enjoy the warmth and comfort

of their dam's tongue and to begin to nurse, as this early colostrum is essential

to protect the puppy from disease until the immune system matures.  

 

The area is cleaned and the dam is dried after each puppy in anticipation of the next arrival.

The mom is offered water and a lot of love and reassurance.

We tell her what a great job she's doing and continue to stay with her,

we feel sitting with her and offering help when needed helps her to relax.  

We also make sure each puppy is nursing and moved out of the way when the next puppy arrives.  

 

When all of the puppies are born we check on them Continuously,

picking them up and handling them to be sure all is well and to continue the puppies contact with humans.

We talk to the puppies and tell them how beautiful, precious and brave they are.  

Puppies at this young age can not hear or see, but they can smell and sense the vibration of our voice,

so we hold them close and talk to them.

Our family loves this time with them! 

 

Every time the mom goes out for a bathroom break we change the towels & fleeces.

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 and joint issues can start soon after birth

if the puppy is kept on slippery surfaces.

 

Our puppies are kept in the center of the family room where they are exposed to all noises of life; 

children, pots and pans, doors opening and closing, tv, dishwasher etc.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dewclaws are removed within 5 days of birth.

 

The puppies eyes and ears start to open at 12-14 days old.

As the puppies grow they are sat down on the carpet, couch and tile floor so they experience

different textures and heights.

Around 20 days old they start to walk around, 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.

During this time we continue to pick them up, hug, kiss them and encourage them to explore!

 

At 3 weeks old we start the puppies on small mash meals several times a day.

 

By the time they are 4 weeks old, we move them to a larger area that has a sleeping area,

a potty area and a play area.  

Puppies at this young age can start to learn to be clean in their personal habits

and that there are acceptable places to eliminate 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 puppies will continue to sleep with their mom for another week.

 

At five and a half weeks old the puppies get three meals a day and say goodbye to mom.

      It is time to be on their own.

They will be fed Purina Pro Plan large breed puppy food Chicken and Rice or Salmon and Rice.

We will give you all of the information on feeding in your puppy pack.

 

The first few days without their dam can be very stressful for a puppy, so

we keep them very busy and happy exploring new things and continuing to give them a lot of praise and love.  

The puppies visit our Vet at 42 days old for a complete

Physical Exam, Deworming, Hearts are Cleared and they are Vaccinated. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After their first set of inoculations we start to venture outside for the first time and explore!

Weather permitting the puppies will now spend a lot of time outside in different areas during the day.

At this time they see other dogs, horses, humans, the farm cat, ATV's

and they hear all of the sounds, sights and smells that go on here;

guns firing, duck calls, barking dogs, horses and kids playing.  

They are taken for walks in the field and out to the pond and pool.

They are encouraged to enter the pool on their own in a group (safety in numbers).

We only allow the puppies to swim in the pool opposed to the pond at this age

as it is bacteria free due to the salt filter.

 

View A Day In The Life Of A Cedar Creek Puppy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As they grow we get to know each puppies personality and aptitude.

     This helps us to ensure that you get the right puppy for your household.

Ultimately we let the families pick their own puppy in the order of their deposits,

but we will assist you as needed to help you pick the right puppy for your needs.
 

When you come to pick up your puppy we will have a puppy pack for you.

In it will be your shot record from our Veterinarian, your Guarantee and Bill of sale.

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/neuter, treats, toys and training.
We will continue to answer any questions throughout your puppies lifetime.​