chowfornow

We completely assist in the whelping and keep Mom and the babies comfy and clean for the duration of their stay.
       Moms really do not like to leave the litter (even when they need to go out to potty). They won't even get out to eat or drink unless we set it in front of them throughout the day and night. Someone is always in the room with them to help them out to the yard and back, make sure she's all clean, and change out the blankets often.
       By 3 weeks, puppies will try new foods (still nursing of course). They will try mushy scrambled eggs in water, they'll also be moved to the front room of the house with a large corraled area. They'll see more people, hear new sounds, get used to pottying on papers and then clay kitty litter, they will be introduced to taking baths (using baby wash and then towel dried) and of course will still be cuddled, talked to, and pestered as much as we can. It is by 3 to 4 weeks that their personalities begin to bloom and is astonishing how quickly they show who's the boss, who's easy going, who's timid, etc, although we have had puppies who are very friendly at first, but may develop anti-social behaviors later on for reasons only they know.
      By 6 weeks, they will be learning to make that effort to go outside in a safe, covered area to potty in a designated area with clay. They will be fitted with little bitty harnesses and will learn to start walking on leash.

      By then we have observed the personalities and temperaments pretty well and notice that they really like to learn new things and explore. That's about the same time Mom decides that they don't need to nurse anymore so she stays near them but with a partition so she can begin to recuperate as they become more independent.
      Usually by 7 or 8 weeks, they will get their Vet exams and their first DA2PP vaccine (with NO LEPTO). Lepto vaccines can cause serious side effects in Chows and the Vet must not administer that vaccine especially to Chow puppies.
We continue to train them as much as possible in the short time they are here with us and we strongly encourage their new families to continue doing so when they come home. Indoor potty pads area bad idea because it confuses them and they think it's okay to potty inside the house. Puppies must eat healthy foods every 2 hours at first and taper off as they grow and the portions increase. We NEVER feed dry kibbles to puppies while they are here and ask that you refrain from that until they are at least 4 or 5 months when their adult teeth come in. Most people will look into the minimal value of processed pet foods and may decide to cook their foods using human grade meats, grains and vegetables.
      Our Chows have their own spaces in the house. This works out very well because Chows often do not get along with each other as adults. No crates or kennels except when transporting to Vet exams.