Weeks
before the puppies are born I begin to prepare for the whelping. I separate the
bitch from the other dogs and begin to take her to work every day.  One
week before delivery of the pups, the whelping box is set up and the bitch is
encouraged to sleep in the box. I now start to sleep on the floor next to the
whelping box until the puppies are born so I can monitor the female through the
night.
When the puppies are born, I weigh each
one and record their weight on a card. The day the pups are born, we begin to
handle and talk to each puppy. I carefully monitor the puppies daily and record
their weight and food intake. We remove dewclaws
and dock their tails on the third day. On the fourth day, we start a regimen that
supports the neurological and physiological development of the puppy that was
developed by the U.S. Army; Bio Sensor or Super Dog program. Click
here for more information on the Bio-Sensor/Super Dog program. We
also begin to touch the puppies all over their bodies so they get used to being
handled by humans. Each puppy gets 15 minutes of individual attention daily. Friends
are also encouraged to come over to our home and handle the pups. Children, under
close supervision, also handle the puppies.  The
puppies are safe from exposure to humans and healthy dogs for their first six
weeks. Two days after birth, a newborn puppy receives milk known as colostrum
from the mother that is loaded with her antibodies. These
antibodies help the puppies until they receive their first vaccinations. (The
only time adequate antibodies are not received are when the puppy does not receive
colostrum or the mother’s antibodies are low due to poor health or vaccinations
that are not current.)  About
the time the puppies begin to leave the whelping box, we begin to brush, groom,
and clip toenails. We let the behavior of the bitch and puppies determine when
we introduce the other household dogs. I also introduce solid food.
The
social interaction of the bitch and littermates is very important. However, we
strongly believe that it is critical that the puppies are handled by a variety
of people and socialize with friendly dogs at an early age. At
three weeks, we start to wean the puppies off the bitch so she can remain in top
physical condition and will dry up quickly when the puppies are weaned. At this
point, the bitch has done her primary job; to get the puppies on the ground and
healthy.  Now
the rest of “The Pack” begins to help more with the care and socialization of
the puppies. The Pack in our households includes my family, friends, and our other
pets. (We currently have two female Kerries and a spayed Springer Spaniel.)
 Around
five weeks, depending on the development of the puppies and the weather, they
are introduced to the outside. It is about this time that we introduce the puppies
to play and socialize with friendly adult dogs.
We
strongly believe the socialization of puppies with other dogs is extremely important.
This is especially true because Kerry Blue Terriers have a reputation for being
aggressive towards other dogs. Our goal is not to mold a Kerry Blue that is submissive,
but create an environment that the dog can be dominant and confident, without
resorting to aggressive behavior and fighting.  The
puppies play with the other dogs daily. It is interesting to watch the older dogs
take some of the burden off the mother, allowing her to relax and take time away
from the puppies. Puppies and the older dog take on very close relationships.
We closely monitor the puppies, the mother, and the dogs during the process. We
perform temperament tests on the puppies at seven weeks. We use a stranger to
the puppies to implement the test. We use the Obedience Personality Test (OPT)
adapted from Stanley Coren’s book, “The Intelligence of Dogs.” Click here for additional information on the Obedience Personality Test.
We believe that the OPT is a good benchmark to
measure against past and future litters. It give us an indication of each puppy’s
personality. We use the test to help us place each puppy in the right home. Test
results are shared with the new owners in their puppy packet.
Between 7 and 9 weeks, the puppies are graded for conformation. We have several
people who are knowledgeable about Kerry Blue Terriers grade and give their opinion
about the puppies.
At nine weeks, we begin to
place the puppies in their homes.
| I
sleep on the floor next to the whelping box until the puppies are born so I can
monitor the female. I weigh each puppy and record their weight on
a card...
The
day the pups are born, we begin to handle and talk to each puppy...
I monitor the puppies daily and record their weight and food intake...
On
the third or fourth day, we start a regimen developed by the U.S. Army called
Bio Sensor or Super Dog program.
Socialization
of puppies with other dogs is extremely important...
Our goal is to produce
a dog that is confident and socialized amoung dogs and people.
Puppies
are temperament test the puppies at seven weeks...
We use the Obedience
Personality Test (OPT) adapted from Stanley Coren’s book, “The Intelligence of
Dogs.”
Additional Information
The OPT is used as a tool to help place each
puppy in the right home.
| 
One
week before delivery of the pups, the whelping box is set up and the bitch is
encouraged to sleep in the box. I now start to sleep on the floor next to the
whelping box until the puppies are born so I can monitor the female through the
night. 
The
puppies are safe from exposure to humans and healthy dogs for their first six
weeks. Two days after birth, a newborn puppy receives milk known as colostrum
from the mother that is loaded with her antibodies. 
About
the time the puppies begin to leave the whelping box, we begin to brush, groom,
and clip toenails. We let the behavior of the bitch and puppies determine when
we introduce the other household dogs. I also introduce solid food. 
Now
the rest of “The Pack” begins to help more with the care and socialization of
the puppies. The Pack in our households includes my family, friends, and our other
pets. (We currently have two female Kerries and a spayed Springer Spaniel.) 
Around
five weeks, depending on the development of the puppies and the weather, they
are introduced to the outside. It is about this time that we introduce the puppies
to play and socialize with friendly adult dogs. 
The
puppies play with the other dogs daily. It is interesting to watch the older dogs
take some of the burden off the mother, allowing her to relax and take time away
from the puppies. Puppies and the older dog take on very close relationships.
We closely monitor the puppies, the mother, and the dogs during the process. 
Between 7 and 9 weeks, the puppies are graded for conformation. We have several
people who are knowledgeable about Kerry Blue Terriers grade and give their opinion
about the puppies. 
