How to Breed Dogs - Taking Care of the Puppies

1. Monitor the puppies. Watch the puppies carefully the first few weeks, making sure they stay clean and warm. Also make sure they are getting enough milk. Weigh the puppies on a gram scale daily to ensure that they are gaining weight. Healthy puppies should be absolutely clean, active, and have full bellies. Puppies should gain about 10% of their body weight per day for the first 2 weeks of life.
- At about 4 weeks, they will begin to get very active. The whelping box will no longer be large enough. Give them a larger, safe enclosure to explore. The dam will likely leave them alone for longer periods of time. You can start weaning the puppies on to soaked puppy kibble at this time.[12]

2. Take them to the vet. Take the puppies to the vet when they are 7 to 8 weeks old. The veterinarian will give them their first vaccinations. These include Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, and Para influenza or DHPP. They are also treated for worms. Flea and heartworm prevention should be discussed.
- Have your veterinarian check for other health or hereditary problems as well. A responsible breeder will provide this information to the new owners of the puppies so that the new family can properly complete the puppy’s vaccination series during the recommended time frame.

3. Screen new puppy owners. This process needs to be done carefully. You want to make sure that you are sending the puppy to a great home. The new family should be responsible and prepared to devote time, energy, and resources to the new dog.
- Consider a home inspection. Be prepared to turn down a family if they are not a good fit for one of your puppies. [13]

4. Create a contract. When you find the right puppy owners, you should draw up a contract with them. Make sure to include any health guarantees that you are providing and what the limitations of those may be. Include that the family must return the puppy to you should they be unable to keep it for any time during the pet’s life.
- You should also Indicate whether the puppy was sold as a pet or a breeding prospect and if there are any requirements for spaying/neutering by a specific age.[14][15]