Hardest part of breeding

[Molly]

Today I have to have their dewclaws removed. To me ,,,, i feel as if this is the hardest part of breeding. I feel so guilty to those innocent little pups. I debated not doing it but have decided to continue. I know many people are not doing this. I have seen a Dobe with his ripped off and it wasnt fun. Anyways,,, just expressing my guilt before I load everyone up to go to the vet!

I find this harder than selling them.
Terri Lynn

[gracielou]

I understand how you feel but like you said if you've ever seen one ripped off or partially ripped it is very painful and it's hard to get them then to leave it alone and heal also.

[movistar]

probably to late, but I have seen them done two ways, one a pinch and one a pinch twist
with the twist they seem to fuss more. my vet now just pinches and I swear to you some dont even seem to flinch - its wonderful

[Molly]

all pups are doing great and dont seem bothered. The last time I did them (my 1st litter) seemed so much worse. AThe vet snips than pulls the bone out ( if there is one). They are so beautiful! Molly (mother) is so proud of them.

[Mhyles30]

It is painful-my husband stayed downstairs while the vet was removing our puppies' de claws because he could not stand it! With 12 of them I was thinking how much longer it would take everytime the vet handed me one pup. And of course it doesnt end there-every day I had to check and make sure they are healing good. It was difficult but I think it will be hard for me to see them go to their permanent homes eventhough I know they will be taken care of-I will miss them!

Mhyles
www.coloradomountainlabradoodles.com

[Molly]

It is difficult to see them go, and Scary. Last litter I bought a puppy back and had it shipped back to me. The lady only had her 12 days thankfully because i dont think she feed her the entire time! I sure messed up screening her! That is the scary part. Long story short,, she is doing great with her new family.

All puppies still doing good here.
Cant wait until their eyes open!

[dixiedi]

Oh Molly, what a horrible experience

Dewclaw removal gets easier with each litter, believe me I absolutely hated having to do the dewclaws but I worked for my vet and she showed me how to do them but still, I didn't think I would ever get the hang of it. Now, it's a piece of cake Doesn't bother me in the least. I do them at 2 days of age and I swear, I don't think they feel anything (my vet swears they can't feel it at 2 days old).

[kim26]

Well, as a dood owner who had to have it done when my pup got neutered at 4 months of age, I want to thank all of you breeders who get it done right away. I did not want Doc to go through life with them and have to worry about them getting ripped or having to trim the nail or get scratched by the claw. I still get annoyed that Doc's breeder didn't get it done early on. So, thank you for doing it!

[lieverdmom]

Molly, that is so scary about the puppy you bought back. How did you know the pup needed to come back to you? Did the new owner send her, or did you find out through another source and take her back?

[Maureen]

hi, I have to weigh in here, cuz I'm afraid I was prepared for something MUCH worse than dewclaw removal to be the subject!

We have dewclaws removed at 3-5days old; how about the rest of you? When do you have it done?

Since we have puppies due TODAY I will have to ask my vet, Mickey, about her technique, when we approach the next batch.

Thanks Kim, for the vote of confidence; my Yankee has all 4 dewclaws and the rear ones are especially troublesome as they can hook around and infect themselves if we dont' keep them clipped. Yes, she has puppies with rear dewclaws too!

It seems like it used to be that removing dewclaws was a sign of legitimacy in a breeder. Now it seems much more like a judgement/conscience thing with breeders. I have actually likened it to circumcision in people, in that there are health reasons for both sides of the argument. I can't believe I've stood there and talked that way with men I barely know, but I have! Sometimes I surprise myself. lol.

All in all, I'm glad to help my vet remove dewclaws but it's creepy enough to me that I don't ever plan to learn or perfect doing it myself. But for you newbies in breeding please let me reassure you that this procedure is NOT the worst part or hardest part of breeding! Losing puppies, or a mom-dog to an infection is far, far worse. I hope that helps you keep this stinging moment in perspective, and also, I sincerely hope it helps you thank God for each and every healthy puppy!

[Molly]

I agree with you Maureen... it isnt the worst part. For some reason it bothers me a lot though. I have lost a puppy and that wasnt easy either. I guess I felt so guilty about the dewclaws b/c it was a choice I was making... which could be avoided... and that I was inflicting pain on these innocent little puppies.

There are some real sad times that many many breeders have to face.. I guess the title of the thread should of been changed.
Terri Lynn

[Molly]

about the puppy that came back,,, the owner called me and said that her mother took a stroke and that she couldnt look after the puppy. I offered to buy her back as i knew I had a family that would adopt her. She wanted me to wait to see if she could get more out of the paper! Long storey short... I bought her back, she shipped her to me. She was gone 12 days in total (12 days too long). ... she was so hungry and thristy... she dove in to our Tim hortons bag looking for food. I dont think she was fed or watered in her new home (or just enough to keep her alive). This puppy is in her new home now and they love her. They say she was meant to be theirs.
Terri Lynn

[lieverdmom]

Oh, Molly, how scary that the woman wanted to profit from an ad in the paper. Things could so easily have progressed from bad to worse, considering who might have bought a puppy that was in such poor condition as you describe. This Really underscores the Need for a clause in our sales contracts giving us the first right of refusal to take a puppy back if they plan to rehome it.

I think the new owners are right, this pup was meant to be theirs, and it came back to them. Some things are just meant to be. Thank God for such a happy ending to that story! Blessing to the puppy and his new family, also to you for saving the day!

[Jac]

Terri Lynn, so great to hear from you again! You and I have both been absent! I went to visit with my family for a week...good time off, but now that I'm back I have so much to do!
How are you? How's little Owen?
What's happening with your canine family these days? How's the new Poodle?
Questions, questions, questions!

[Molly]

Hi Jac: Just reading this now... all the dogs are great. My new poodle is amazing, and beautiful. She stayed small too. I love her. Owen for the first time in his life slept for longer than 1 hr (usually 45 min) and he is almost a year, so i dont get much time to write. i sometimes read but no time to write. I am back to work as well so it is busy! But I enjoy reading the forums even if I am not able to take the time and write.

I have sold all my puppies and I cant wait for Sofies litter. Molly has already had a heat cycle, does she ever cycle fast. I am still waiting for Sofie to have her first heat. It seems to take forever for that first heat. She is 10 months old now and no heat cycle yet!

Well i should be going
tm