Have you ever wondered what the journey is like for a puppy? Would you be surprised to know that breeders plan for your puppy’s arrival well before they are even born? Understanding the journey from breeder to forever home is important if you are considering bringing home a puppy.
After all, you can better prepare for your puppy’s arrival when you know what their early stages of life are like. In this article, we’ll explore a puppy’s story from breeder to forever home.
The Start: Selecting the Parents
A puppy’s life starts well before they come into the world. Responsible breeders spend hours choosing healthy parents to create a litter. They look into the overall health, temperament, and specific characteristics of the dogs they breed to ensure the highest chances of raising healthy puppies. Hypoallergenic coats, friendliness, and intelligence are also considered. Some breeders will also strategically select AKC-registered parents.
Pregnancy and Birth
After parents are selected, the breeding process is started. Throughout the breeding process, both parents are closely monitored for health. This is done with regular vet checkups, ensuring both parents receive the proper nutrition, and providing a low-stress environment.
Your breeders will be present during the birth of the puppies to ensure that the mom and the puppies are healthy. If there are any complications, they are immediately addressed. After the puppies are born, they are immediately evaluated and placed in a comfortable environment.
Early Life: Socialization
The first few weeks of your puppy’s life are crucial for development and socialization. Your breeder will frequently handle your puppies for socialization. In many cases, breeders involve their entire family in the socialization process, including children. Providing puppies with a loving and safe environment during the first few weeks of life is important to develop positive behavior characteristics.
Additionally, sounds, sights, and different experiences are provided to your puppy, helping them grow into confident and friendly adult dogs. Socialization will also occur alongside proper nutrition and regular veterinary checkups. Your puppy will generally come with their first round of vaccinations and deworming.
Finding a Forever Home
During the pregnancy or within the first few weeks of life, your puppy’s breeders will start looking for their forever home. Breeders want to be sure they place a puppy in a loving home that can properly care for the puppy. After all, you are making a lifelong commitment to the puppy.
When interviewing potential forever homes, breeders will ask about your lifestyle, experience with dogs, and your reason for getting a puppy. Be honest with these answers! You want to find a puppy that matches your lifestyle and needs.
Transitioning into Their Forever Home
Once your puppy reaches a certain age, usually around eight weeks, they will be ready to head to their forever home. Before your puppy arrives, you want to be fully prepared. Establish a relationship with a veterinarian, create a safe space for your puppy, purchase supplies, and be ready to welcome your puppy with open arms.
In this stage, you will also need to determine the transportation logistics. For example, if your puppy is located five states over, how will you bring them home? Will you drive there? How about investing in a puppy transportation company? Ensuring your puppy is in a safe and controlled environment reduces stress during the transportation process.
Additionally, your breeder might also provide you with specific instructions based on the breed of puppy you receive, such as grooming instructions, upcoming vaccinations, and what is needed for the deworming process. This is why it’s important to choose a breeder that has great communication skills and a track record of successful puppy placements.
Forming Bonds and Enjoying Life
The first few days in your home will be the most stressful for your puppy. After all, they are in a new environment and surrounded by new people. Responsible breeders will stay in touch with you to answer any questions you have in those first few days.
Now, you play the most important role in your puppy’s life. You will need to provide it with a safe environment, continue socialization, and care for your puppy’s every need. However, the end result is an unbreakable bond and joy added to your life.
Summary
A puppy’s journey from breeder to forever home involves quite a few steps. Both you and your breeder will play an instrumental role in your puppy’s life. For more questions about purchasing a puppy from a breeder, check out our other posts or contact a team member.