| How pups are raised here at Rapid Fire Border Collies |
All of our breeding dogs are health screened, DNA'd for disease and hip scored, all of our pups are guaranteed
in writing. We do not and will not refer people to other breeders who do not do the same testing and
socialization that we do. We are not believers in the new puppy gimmick which is to guarantee the pups but not
test the parents. We have learned over the years it is easier to just test the dogs and be done with it. I am
always learning new things and strive to get better as the years go by. The information below is what I do with
my pups. All breeders are different and some will do different things to better their pups while others will do
nothing other than feeding, worming and vaccinating.
in writing. We do not and will not refer people to other breeders who do not do the same testing and
socialization that we do. We are not believers in the new puppy gimmick which is to guarantee the pups but not
test the parents. We have learned over the years it is easier to just test the dogs and be done with it. I am
always learning new things and strive to get better as the years go by. The information below is what I do with
my pups. All breeders are different and some will do different things to better their pups while others will do
nothing other than feeding, worming and vaccinating.
Once our female is close to her due date we watch her like a hawk. I personally disagree with the whole let nature take its
course theory. I understand dogs have been giving birth on their own for a long time but nature did not plan this breeding.
I did. Since it was my choice to do the breeding it is my responsibility to see to it that the mom is as comfortable as
possible and I help her out in any way I can. If I have a girl who likes to handle things more on her own and just wants to
deal with things quietly then I will give her the space she needs but I monitor just in case. Once the pups are coming I write
down notes the whole time just for future reference as far as birthing order, how fast the pup latches on, color, markings,
strength, weight, sex etc. If a pup needs any help I am there. (ex: some moms will bite the cord too close and it may need
to be tied.
When the labor part is over I make sure the mom has plenty of fresh water, extra electrolytes, a full bowl of food, then I let
her bond. Most moms will just want to be left to bond and take care of the pups. For the next few weeks I will monitor the
pups growth, eating habits, and how the pups act as far as who eats the strongest and who is a more vocal pup. The pups
are handled both while they are nursing and while they are not nursing so that they will become accustom to human smell
and touch. While the pups eyes and ears are closed all they know is our smell and touch.
We play with the pups feet, tails, ears etc so the pups are not sensitive to having their feet or other body parts handled.
Which makes a vet exam much easier. As the pups grow our handling and socializing really get fun. I try to expose the
pups to as much as I can in a short period of time. For sound work I start out basically before they ears open. Well really I
don't but my little girl does. The pups are raised in a normal household environment and are exposed to all the sounds
associated with living in a home. The pups grow up here thinking life is full of loud noises and that is just the way it is. A
fun game for kids to do is bang old set of pots around the pups. Oh did I forget to mention that we put hot dogs, boiled
chicken, dog food etc in the pans so while kids are banging away the pups are happy to follow them around getting the
goodies that fall out! We work up to very loud bangs and yes eventually it we can shoot a cap gun and it will not upset the
pups.
I don't want the pup to be spooked by moving objects so I also hang a tarp along a fence or on a branch so when the wind
blows it will move. The pups get use to the moving tarp and are not worried at all. We also play hide and seek with the pups
and will walk behind the tarp and call them so they really like to see what all the flapping is about. We also use other
items that pups usually don't like such as an umbrella that we will open and close a lot. We expose the pups to obstacles
that they can climb in, under and over so they learn to try new things and explore. I want to make sure the pups are not
bothered by various surfaces so I make sure pups get a lot of play time on carpet, tile, concrete, and grass.
I personally think all dogs should be crate trained so I start the pups out early with a crate. First it is just a play house that
the pups can go in and out of as the choose. Then the pups start to get separated into groups and will go to a crate at
"nap time" together. Then the pups will get alone time in the crate and work up to sleeping in a crate at night alone. I get a
lot of wonderful comments from my puppy buyers about how good the pups are in a crate. The key is to work up to alone
crate time so they do not become dependent on the other pups in the litter.
I also want pups to understand that people are going to brush and bathe them. So our pups get daily grooming and baths
when needed. They also learn to tolerate nail clippings. (spring pups seem to get muddy more so they leave here very use
to baths) We bathe our pups in human baby bath not dog shampoo or puppy shampoo when they are little pups.
Our pups are encouraged to play with many different types of puppy toys and we rotate the toys so the pup get something
different every few days. I don't wan the pups to get bored and I want to encourage them to play with and explore new
toys. I think Border Collies and fetch go hand in hand so I do keep lots of balls and especially tennis balls with treats in
them around for the pups to play with.
While the pups are here I want them to start learning manners. Manners make living with your pup much easier. We try to
teach the pups to sit for treats and petting. We want a pup that can lay in his crate and go in the crate without pitching a fit.
In order to accomplish this we have to make sure we use the crate in a positive way and not as punishment. Our pups are
also put on a loose leash but we do not expect much from them because they are pups and we just don't want them to act
like a fish out of water.
Our pups are very well socialized with our kids and all the pups get alone cuddle with our family. We will also take our pups
for rides to the store etc so they can handle car rides. (we do not take them on unfamiliar ground that could expose them
to other dogs who we are not familiar with) I also like to make sure our pups have good experience with adult dogs so our
pups are exposed to another well mannered adult dog who is not their mom so they will learn how to act with other dogs.
When our pups are 7 weeks we have them temperament tested. We use the Volhard Temperament Test for our pups.
The temperament test is just an overview of where the pups are at 7 weeks. A temperament test is not set in stone and
should be used as a guide for puppy owners. (EX: If the test shows a pup does not have a lot of ball drive. The new owner
will know that is something they need to work on. (take a tennis ball and put two slices in it so when you squeeze it you can
see inside. Then put treat is the tennis ball. While the ball is rolling the pups will smell the treats and want them.
Unfortunately for the pup he can't get the treats out without your help. So when you get the ball back you squeeze it and
out comes the treats, repeat and eventually the pup will learn to bring the ball to you to get the prize out of it. )
Our pups also leave with a written contract and guarantee for not only your protection but our and the pups. We will have
given the pups his first set of shots and kept a strict worming schedule as well. You will get all the info on the exact vaccine
and wormer used.
Please fell free to ask any questions. I am sure I left something out.
michelle@rapidfirebordercollies.com or call 432-394-4078 or 432-816-1175
course theory. I understand dogs have been giving birth on their own for a long time but nature did not plan this breeding.
I did. Since it was my choice to do the breeding it is my responsibility to see to it that the mom is as comfortable as
possible and I help her out in any way I can. If I have a girl who likes to handle things more on her own and just wants to
deal with things quietly then I will give her the space she needs but I monitor just in case. Once the pups are coming I write
down notes the whole time just for future reference as far as birthing order, how fast the pup latches on, color, markings,
strength, weight, sex etc. If a pup needs any help I am there. (ex: some moms will bite the cord too close and it may need
to be tied.
When the labor part is over I make sure the mom has plenty of fresh water, extra electrolytes, a full bowl of food, then I let
her bond. Most moms will just want to be left to bond and take care of the pups. For the next few weeks I will monitor the
pups growth, eating habits, and how the pups act as far as who eats the strongest and who is a more vocal pup. The pups
are handled both while they are nursing and while they are not nursing so that they will become accustom to human smell
and touch. While the pups eyes and ears are closed all they know is our smell and touch.
We play with the pups feet, tails, ears etc so the pups are not sensitive to having their feet or other body parts handled.
Which makes a vet exam much easier. As the pups grow our handling and socializing really get fun. I try to expose the
pups to as much as I can in a short period of time. For sound work I start out basically before they ears open. Well really I
don't but my little girl does. The pups are raised in a normal household environment and are exposed to all the sounds
associated with living in a home. The pups grow up here thinking life is full of loud noises and that is just the way it is. A
fun game for kids to do is bang old set of pots around the pups. Oh did I forget to mention that we put hot dogs, boiled
chicken, dog food etc in the pans so while kids are banging away the pups are happy to follow them around getting the
goodies that fall out! We work up to very loud bangs and yes eventually it we can shoot a cap gun and it will not upset the
pups.
I don't want the pup to be spooked by moving objects so I also hang a tarp along a fence or on a branch so when the wind
blows it will move. The pups get use to the moving tarp and are not worried at all. We also play hide and seek with the pups
and will walk behind the tarp and call them so they really like to see what all the flapping is about. We also use other
items that pups usually don't like such as an umbrella that we will open and close a lot. We expose the pups to obstacles
that they can climb in, under and over so they learn to try new things and explore. I want to make sure the pups are not
bothered by various surfaces so I make sure pups get a lot of play time on carpet, tile, concrete, and grass.
I personally think all dogs should be crate trained so I start the pups out early with a crate. First it is just a play house that
the pups can go in and out of as the choose. Then the pups start to get separated into groups and will go to a crate at
"nap time" together. Then the pups will get alone time in the crate and work up to sleeping in a crate at night alone. I get a
lot of wonderful comments from my puppy buyers about how good the pups are in a crate. The key is to work up to alone
crate time so they do not become dependent on the other pups in the litter.
I also want pups to understand that people are going to brush and bathe them. So our pups get daily grooming and baths
when needed. They also learn to tolerate nail clippings. (spring pups seem to get muddy more so they leave here very use
to baths) We bathe our pups in human baby bath not dog shampoo or puppy shampoo when they are little pups.
Our pups are encouraged to play with many different types of puppy toys and we rotate the toys so the pup get something
different every few days. I don't wan the pups to get bored and I want to encourage them to play with and explore new
toys. I think Border Collies and fetch go hand in hand so I do keep lots of balls and especially tennis balls with treats in
them around for the pups to play with.
While the pups are here I want them to start learning manners. Manners make living with your pup much easier. We try to
teach the pups to sit for treats and petting. We want a pup that can lay in his crate and go in the crate without pitching a fit.
In order to accomplish this we have to make sure we use the crate in a positive way and not as punishment. Our pups are
also put on a loose leash but we do not expect much from them because they are pups and we just don't want them to act
like a fish out of water.
Our pups are very well socialized with our kids and all the pups get alone cuddle with our family. We will also take our pups
for rides to the store etc so they can handle car rides. (we do not take them on unfamiliar ground that could expose them
to other dogs who we are not familiar with) I also like to make sure our pups have good experience with adult dogs so our
pups are exposed to another well mannered adult dog who is not their mom so they will learn how to act with other dogs.
When our pups are 7 weeks we have them temperament tested. We use the Volhard Temperament Test for our pups.
The temperament test is just an overview of where the pups are at 7 weeks. A temperament test is not set in stone and
should be used as a guide for puppy owners. (EX: If the test shows a pup does not have a lot of ball drive. The new owner
will know that is something they need to work on. (take a tennis ball and put two slices in it so when you squeeze it you can
see inside. Then put treat is the tennis ball. While the ball is rolling the pups will smell the treats and want them.
Unfortunately for the pup he can't get the treats out without your help. So when you get the ball back you squeeze it and
out comes the treats, repeat and eventually the pup will learn to bring the ball to you to get the prize out of it. )
Our pups also leave with a written contract and guarantee for not only your protection but our and the pups. We will have
given the pups his first set of shots and kept a strict worming schedule as well. You will get all the info on the exact vaccine
and wormer used.
Please fell free to ask any questions. I am sure I left something out.
michelle@rapidfirebordercollies.com or call 432-394-4078 or 432-816-1175
Our pups are wormed at 3, 5,
and 7 weeks. Pups are
vaccinated before leaving. To
see what we use on pups
please see the following link.
Health and Nutrition
and 7 weeks. Pups are
vaccinated before leaving. To
see what we use on pups
please see the following link.
Health and Nutrition
| Please remember when contacting me that I want to know more about what you are looking for in a pup. This will help me determine if I am going to have a pup that would work for you. I basically want to know what type of pup you are looking for and what your future goal is for the pup. We place pups in performance, herding, pet, therapy, and conformation homes. I like to know what your ideal Border Collie would be. People like different temperaments so tell me what your idea of a great Border Collie is. The more I know the easier it will be to determine what type of pup you want and if we will have a pup you may be happy with. Please read how I raise our pups so you will know a little more about what to expect from me. Our pups hips and eyes are guaranteed in writing and we offer a lifetime of training help and support. We want to work with puppy buyers in any way we can and enjoy making new friends who share our love for the breed. Our breeding dogs are all hip tested and DNA's for genetic diseases. A pup is a lifetime commitment for both the new owner and the breeder and we take this seriously. If for any reason you can't take care of the pup anymore or no longer want to keep your pup, adult dog or rescue I require the dog be shipped back to me. I do require a written contract for all of our pups. (rescues too) Please call me at 432-394-4078 or 432-816-1175 |