So far, we have not used the help of foster families. We may have to in the near future. However, only males will participate in this program.
Personally, I am disgusted with the idea of a foster family for a bitch. As a zoopsychologist and behaviorist, I know how much stress it is for a pregnant bitch to move her from her family home a week or two before giving birth!
The stress of a bitch in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy directly affects the fetuses! There is no way that a female dog taken from her family home in such an important period will not be stressed. Even if she visited the potential place of birth and upbringing of puppies 3 times a week, she is used to her place and her owners. Such a female dog will experience a lot of separation from her owner (and if he visits her even every day - she will relive the separation every day). She may not want to eat (the value and amount of food consumed by a pregnant bitch is of great importance) female dog, during this period she also needs the support of her owner. It's just inhumane. And the thought that there are breeders who can do that fills me with disgust and repulsion. Because for me personally, this is no longer done for passion and love for the breed...
My female dogs get in my bed the night before I give birth, they let me know it's on Can you imagine the loss of a first-time mother when she doesn't know what's going on with her body, why it hurts so much? They need support and bonding and trust is KEY.
I ALREADY SAID ABOUT THE BITCH AND NOW LET'S GO TO WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PUPPIES OF A BITCH WHO IS STRESSED
As I mentioned earlier, a bitch's behavior in the third trimester of pregnancy affects her fetuses. A female dog collected from her owners in this trimester will be under a lot of stress. Stress will cause a storm of hormones. The level of cortisol in such a bitch will increase significantly in April. Cortisol, in turn, is the nutrient for many diseases. No, they don't have to show up right after giving birth. Under the influence of environmental factors, they can occur even several years after giving birth.
I encourage you to read very interesting how cortisol levels affect dogs (puppies are already exposed to it constantly a week before giving birth).
In addition to the fact that the mother's stress will affect health problems, behavioral problems of puppies from such a mother will be the main concern of future owners. Relationships with such a mother can be disturbed. For tiny puppies, these relationships play a key role.
I personally would not buy a puppy from such a litter. And actually a family planning to take part in such a program should ask themselves if it is worth it. Separation from your pet for 2.5 months a year? Delivering such a traumatic experience that destroys bond and trust?
There is one female in our kennel who lives with my friends. Her name is Molly. And yes, Molly had one litter. However, my duty at that time was to pack myself, my son and change my place of residence. We packed our things and moved in with Molly, not the other way around. Molly needed the support of her owner before and during the birth. And while I'd had contact with Molly on more than one occasion, it didn't matter to her at the time. We also provided support in the socialization of puppies all the time. But most of all, they had to feel safe.
NO SOCIALIZATION MATTER IF THE SENSE OF SECURITY OF THE PUPPIES AND THE MOTHER IS DISTURBED. AND WHEN A MOTHER CHANGES THE PLACE OF RESIDENCE, BELIEVE ME THAT THE SENSE OF SECURITY IS DISTURBED.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Hairy Passion
Australian Labradoodle Kennel in Poland
First Australian Labradoodle in Poland
