PROVIDING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT

Jim and Grandma Una in New Mexico this past winter.

Your puppy is reliant upon you to provide a safe environment for him. Of primary concern is adequate shelter that offers protection from excessive heat as well as protection from the cold. Heatstroke can be a life or death situation, particularly for the very young or elderly dog. Make sure his shelter is well-ventilated or air-conditioned in summer months, and that shade and plenty of fresh water is always available. Rather than a doghouse, a wonderful, inexpensive option is installing a "doggy door" from the fenced yard to a utility room, kitchen or any other room that can be closed off from the rest of the house and "puppy-proofed".

As much as dogs may love to run, it is an unfair risk to your dog as well as to the family that loves him to ever allow him to run free without supervision. Even the best trained dog who "never leaves" his property is tempted on occasion by a squirrel, cat, or another dog. Too many "trusted" companions are shoveled up off the roads and highways every year, and I do not want to see your puppy become one of the statistics. Also, many dogs are stolen and then sold to researchers, or stolen for hunting season. Consider having your dog microchipped as a permanent means of identification. Animal shelters and most vets have scanners and can trace a microchipped dog back to his owner; also, responsible research facilities supposedly scan and will not use microchipped dogs.

Providing an adequately fenced area for your puppy is imperative. It does not have to be a huge area; a long, narrow run allows more exercise than a square-shaped kennel. Many fencing materials are available, some quite inexpensive that you can install yourself. Just make sure that gates are securely latched and locked. Another option called "invisible fencing" is now on the market; it should keep your dog in, but obviously will not keep strange dogs or predatory animals out. Chaining a dog is NOT a safe or humane method of confining a dog, particularly large dogs that need exercise or puppies who may panic and get tangled. And, if chained, they are at the mercy of other animals or people who may approach.

You will need to "puppy proof" your home, and continue many precautions throughout the dog's life. In the home, keep dangerous or sharp objects out of reach. Electrical cords near the floor can be tempting and deadly. Even an open hot oven door can cause serious burns. Virtually all substances considered poisonous to humans are also poisonous to dogs, such as cleaning fluids, cleansers, fertilizers, cement, lime, caulks, fireworks containing phosphorus, insecticides, rat poisons, etc. Note that anti-freeze is particularly tasty to dogs ... and extremely deadly even in very small amounts. And some foods that are fine for humans are poisonous to dogs (i.e., chocolate, onions, some chewing gums). Also consider your house and yard plants as potentially dangerous ... puppies love to chew and many common plants are poisonous.

When you are not able to keep an eye on your puppy, the safest place for him is in his outdoor run or in a crate.

FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS and PROPER WEIGHT:

A puppy should be fed 3 times a day for the first 3 months if possible; after that, you can switch to 2 meals per day. Dogs should have 2 meals a day the rest of their lives, do not ever switch to 1 meal per day ... it's too much volume all at one time, risks bloat, and (like us), they get hungry! An 8-week old puppy normally eats between 2 1/2 to 3 cups of food per day, which should be divided into 3 daily meals. As he gets into the rapid growth stage of 3-8 months, you will need to progressively increase the amount of food. An 8-10 month youngster normally requires substantially more food than a mature adult dog. If you feel that your puppy is growing at a faster rate than normal or is too heavy, switch immediately to the "adult" formula if you have been feeding a puppy formula and adjust the amount.

The stress of going to a new home, and a change in water, frequently causes some diarrhea for a new puppy. Overeating, changing food or increasing the amount of food too fast, are also common causes of diarrhea. Or eating something not intended to be "food", as Bouvier puppies are inclined to do! If diarrhea continues more than a day or two, you should consult your veterinarian; or, if the puppy acts sickly, get to the vet immediately. A puppy with diarrhea can dehydrate very quickly, potentially becoming a life-threatening condition.

If you need to immediately treat diarrhea yourself, it's best to skip 1 or 2 meals to allow the digestive system to settle down. You can give some Kao-Pectate but need to determine the right dosage. Then, start feeding a bland food; you can boil hamburger and rice, draining off all the fat & liquid. It also is a good idea to give some type of probiotics for digestive problems (or if the dog has been on antibiotics); plain yogurt will provide probiotics, or you can buy probiotics in powder or gel form from most vets. Once the stool has improved, gradually add some regular puppy food, weaning him back over a couple days. If the diarrhea continues, or has any blood in it, make sure your vet does a fecal test to check for worms, or the protozoan parasites Coccidia and Giardia. They would have to be treated with specific medications.

It is wise to get your puppy used to eating at designated mealtimes rather than leaving food available all the time. Give him about 15 minutes to eat in the same, quiet spot, then pick up the bowl. Avoid times when he is too sleepy or too distracted to eat.

Lastly, ALWAYS have fresh water available for your dog. Not in his crate, but all the rest of the time.

An afternoon in the shade

Flirt is 4 months old ... the babies are 8 weeks!

Your Briarlea Bouvier puppy has been selectively bred for superior intelligence and a highly trainable disposition. The combination of good socialization as a baby, loving care, and proper correction and training can result in a dog that is capable of going far beyond the "family pet". It produces the ideal intelligent companion that becomes a significant part of your lives for many years to come.

It is no accident that Bouviers are in demand as police investigative dogs, drug detection, customs, and search and rescue dogs. They are also being trained and used extensively as "service dogs" and "therapy dogs". And they make great dogs for doing obedience, agility and rally. But, more importantly to most of us, this breed is unsurpassed as an intelligent, loyal companion and family watchdog.

I am confident that, with a little conscientious effort, your new puppy will bring you many years of enjoyment and companionship. The more time your puppy can spend with you, the happier, calmer, and better behaved he will be ... even at a very young age. Talk to your puppy, raise him as you would a young child ... with love, kindness, consistency, and firmness when needed. If you do, you will see him attain that level of devotion and intelligence that exemplifies Bouvier des Flandres. Just like with children, training with positive reinforcement will accomplish much more than negative reprimands, and will be more pleasant. You are in control, so set up situations to allow your puppy to do the right thing, and avoid situations and conditions that will likely produce failures.

Your puppy will be adjusting to his new home for the first several days. Be patient and gentle if he is timid at first. He needs to get to know you and trust you and feel secure in his new home. Resist the temptation to have a 'puppy party' for the first week or so until he is secure with you. Be tolerant and understanding if he cries the first night or two ... he is simply feeling lonely. He will be happiest when he is near you. Remember, he's just been taken from his mother, siblings and familiar people and environment. Avoid excessive isolation, even with an older puppy or adult dog. Some time alone is good, and it's important for him to learn to accept being alone and trust that you will come back. But an ignored Bouvier may very well become destructive, simply out of boredom and unhappiness.

A young puppy, like a baby, takes lots of naps during the day. Let him sleep when he needs to and prevent young children from over-handling him for a while. Also, make sure to protect him from other animals in the family, who may be either over-friendly or under-friendly to the new arrival! His own crate is an ideal solution, both for giving the puppy a safe haven of his own as well as expediting the housebreaking process.

Although I hope that your puppy will happily live out his entire life span with you, circumstances sometimes arise where you must find another home for him. If this should ever occur, I ask that you call me first as I may have a home just waiting for a dog like yours. I do not ever want to see any of my puppies, young or old, left at a humane society shelter, nor dumped somewhere in the country, nor put into an unsuitable environment or with some unwilling relative or neighbor.

We've just returned from the vet and our wellness check up. All the puppies' hearts checked out fine, no hernias, bites complete, testicles down on the males. We're good to go! I did get health certificates for the pups who are flying out next week.

We are happy to report that the pups ran about the vet's office, met the technicians, investigated whatever was in reach ~ the vet commented upon how social my puppies have been. I use this vet visit as another way to evaluate the pups and have been especially happy with the puppies from Solo!

Happy 4th of July to everybody,
Sunny, Jim and the Bouvs at Briarlea

Pups at 7 weeks

Gail in the big dog yard....Flirt in the background.










The Brindle Boy.












The Red Boy after digging around in some dirt.










The Green Boy- I had hoped to get side shots of all the pups but it was just too much for Crystal and Jim's not home.









The Blue Boy. I love this picture!

First puppy leaves home!

Good Bye to Jetta!