Day 3, we start our puppy exercises.  We do this daily until the 16th day. 

By day 3, all tails have been docked and dew claws have been removed.

At 2 weeks we use pyrantel to worm the puppies, and then each week thereafter until they are 8 weeks old.

At 6 weeks, we use Galaxy, a good all around puppy shot. This vaccinates against adenovirus 2, parainfluenza, parvovirus, and distemper.

At 7 weeks we vaccinate against Bordatella, also known as kennel cough. In our small "kennel" we probably have no need to do this, but we want to make sure that our puppies come to you as healthy and protected as possible. We also start them on a week of Albon. This is widely used for prevention and treatment of coccidiosis, respiratory infections, and bacterial enteritis. It really protects against the stress associated with travel, leaving their homes and mamas.

At 8 weeks, we give another shot of Galaxy. You will need to keep up the puppy shots until 16 weeks of age, or whatever your veterinarian tells you to do.

The above is the mechanical approach to puppy raising. We truly spend time every day with our dogs and puppies.  We added the early neurological stimulation in the summer of 2007, which you can read about on another page.  Our puppies so love to be with people. They are not afraid of hands, of being touched, or anything like that.  We like to sit on the floor with each family. Puppies love to romp and play, they want to be picked up, will follow you anywhere.  We want them to be desiring of our company and yours, when they come to live with you, and so far that has always been the case.  Each puppy also has has several grooming experiences, baths, nails clipped, ears cleaned, etc. before leaving here.  We want our puppies to be ready for what lies ahead, as much as possible.  Of course, it is a big world out there, and you will be sharing lots of new things with your baby too :0)

We keep their living area clean. They are born in our Romper Room. This is an 8 X 20 building, which has 5 cubicles each measuring about 4 feet by 6 feet. Each little baby room has a doggy door.  Mama goes in and out as she needs to, and teaches her children to do the same when they get old enough. This helps you, as a new puppy owner, in potty training, because they have gotten used to going outside to do their business. We give our puppies toys to play with, and room to romp and play.  We like to encourage their natural intelligence, and their desire to please people.  It is a regular thing to walk into the Romper Room and hear puppies having a tug of war with a rope toy, or growling in their play with each other.  Mama's like to play too.

There are some inherent differences in each puppy, and in each breed that we raise, you can definitely see general characteristics that are found in the breed.  Cocker Spaniels love to be with you, and are very loyal. They love to please and are not quite as other breeds.  They make great family dogs.  Cocker Spaniels can be more sensitive to a bad beginning. You (which means we) want to make sure that your new puppy has had a very loving start. It takes a long time to undo the harshness or neglectfulness that some puppies have been raised in.  We do raise Poodles, Maltipoos and Pekapoos, and 
enjoy them all so very much.

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail.

417-926-6306 or 417-259-4136

maryann@hearthsidefamilypets.net