Lot’s Of Learning In Our Recent Live Chat
We had a great time with you and Molly Morelli during Tuesday’s Puppy Cam Live Chat! We learned about litter box training, vaccinations, and even Molly’s opinion on dog parks. Here’s this week’s chat log; we can’t wait to see you again next Tuesday at 7:00 pm ET.
iluvdogs: Molly, when Bea arrives next week, how long will she be with you before going to a puppy parent?
WarriorCanineConnection: Bea is scheduled to arrive on the 12th. I am not exactly sure when she will leave but I expect her to stay with us for 2 or 3 weeks so I can get to know her and she can get to know me.
Maxi: Misty and Holly are both very involved, patient and caring moms. Moms that I have viewed on other cams seem much less so. In your opinion, is this attributable to the individual personality of each dog or to the breed itself?
WarriorCanineConnection: Every breeder has traits that they look for in their mother dogs. It doesn’t make one breeder right or wrong.
TriciaA11: Hi Molly – will the puppies still be spending time with Misty?
WarriorCanineConnection: Misty will go back to spending time with the pups tomorrow. I wanted to give her a day to dry up a bit.
NancyBowmanPiltzecker: Will the pups stay litter box trained for their lives given the circumstances they may be going to where they won’t be able to be let out on a whim?
WarriorCanineConnection: The litter training is only for puppy hood. Of course, if you wanted/needed to train an adult dog you might be able to.
PeggyB: I have a nearly 14 year old lab, and would like to rescue my next dog. I’d prefer another female lab. Any suggestion as to how to find a rescue lab without “baggage?”
WarriorCanineConnection: I think that most rescue dogs have baggage. You could certainly check into your local lab rescue and get lucky!
brandy’smom: Is Misty nursing them at all now, and how many times a day do they get solid food?
WarriorCanineConnection: They are getting solid food 3-4 times per day depending on how hungry they are acting.
TriciaA11: What age will the puppies be when they go to their placement houses for training…or do they stay with you for that?
WarriorCanineConnection: The puppies will go to Puppy Parent homes anywhere between 10 and 16 weeks of age.
moosemom~WI: With the new space, we have new “toys.” How do you decide which toddler toys are appropriate for the pups? Why bring in the cute bear bed (not that I don’t love seeing them all up on there sleeping)?
WarriorCanineConnection: I just try different things. I have many friends that are breeders and we love to talk about our flea market finds. The bed is just something I like to keep them up off the floor and it looks pretty cute.
gr8rswisslover: What are the puppies weighing these days?
WarriorCanineConnection: I will weigh them again later in the week but probably around 9 lbs.
Wuvtai5: Have the kids shown any interest in going outside?
WarriorCanineConnection: They do not know what outside is. They can see it but vision isn’t so great yet. It is just so cold here. They might get a quick run outside when they are a bit bigger.
joene2222: Will there be updates on these pups in their new environment? We all have become attached as to what they will be doing.
WarriorCanineConnection: I do plan to keep everyone updated on the pups. We are also going to be launching a brand new website in the next few weeks that will have tons of info on all the dogs.
mhennan: Molly, I don’t remember with HHD, but when do you start loose leash training typically?
WarriorCanineConnection: I would like to start that in the next few days. I use an easy walk or sensation harness as I don’t want pressure around the neck. I hold treats by my leg and dispense as we walk. It doesn’t take long for them to get it.
moosemom~WI: Do you notice changes in their fur colors? On the cam, I notice some have darker spots in different places, but was just wondering if there is a big difference in person?
WarriorCanineConnection: Yes, they are changing. Breeze is very white like her mom and Derecho is getting darker.
GaltDaisy: Will we be able to see the pups’ first bath?
WarriorCanineConnection: They will be bathed inside the house as there is no plumbing out there. I can take pictures but can’t bring the camera in. It is way too heavy to move around and it has so many wires.
Jedi Senshi: I am curious why Misty had a C-Section?
WarriorCanineConnection: Misty had two previous c-sections before she came to me. I didn’t want to take a chance on trying for a natural whelp and have scar tissue or something cause a problem.
Okie.puppy.love: Hi Molly, greetings from Oklahoma! Thank you for all that you do; truly inspirational and do a FANTASTIC job raising the puppies, even when you feel like poo. How many of your current WCC dogs are placed with wounded warriors? Or still training?
WarriorCanineConnection: WCC has just been around for about 1.5 years. Rick and I both have been in the industry for about 10 years so we forget how new the actual organization is. Our first dogs will be graduating in the next few months. The actual date is still up in the air.
craftyr: Which dogs are the first graduates?
WarriorCanineConnection: Navi, Gabe and Ron will be first graduates.
PeggyB: I love to see them eat and to see Mia visit. Is there a set schedule? I tend to see sleeping pups. Not that they’re not cute when they’re asleep, but I love the silliness of them eating, and Mia is a doll!
WarriorCanineConnection: I wish I could hold to a schedule…but life is so crazy around here and we do what we can when we can do it.
2rots: All of your dogs look absolutely great! Can you share what kind of shampoo you use?
WarriorCanineConnection: Umm, right now I think I am using a bottle of Groomers Edge Desert Almond Shampoo. I like mid-priced shampoo…not the cheapest and not the most expensive.
KYbeagle: Has there been a litter where you had to bottle feed some of the pups? (By the way, I love the “official” names of this litter).
WarriorCanineConnection: Bottle feeding can be very dangerous, especially in a weak pup. I prefer to tube feed and yes, I have had to do that before. There are not nipples that are shaped like a dogs nipple and it can be easy for a dog to aspirate on the milk causing problems.
rockyryan – AZ: Are you noticing any individual “personality” traits yet?
WarriorCanineConnection: Yes, starting to see personalities emerge. Breeze loves to just sit and watch you and Flurry loves to snuggle.
MtM-WA: Would you please give us you opinion on off-leash dog parks? Our puppy trainer recommended NOT taking our pup to one due to possible dog agression that could traumatize the pup. Do you think they are good places for mature dogs?
WarriorCanineConnection: My opinion on dog parks. (KEY WORD OPINION) – I avoid them. I find that people do not pay attention to dog body language and things happen that are totally unfair to the dogs.
Cossack2: Mia always looks so good handling the puppies — does she ask to come by to see them?
WarriorCanineConnection: Mia asks constantly to go to see the puppies. I have to remind her that she can’t love them so hard! She just wants to hug them so tight. They keep coming back for more so they don’t seem to mind it.
PupRsq: Hi Molly. How do you choose the right food for your dogs? There is SO much out there!! I try to avoid corn as a top ingredient…thoughts??
WarriorCanineConnection: My stand by is Purina Pro Plan. I have fed it for years and years and like it. If a dog isn’t doing well on that food I try something else.
puproar: Molly, the bed with steps impresses me as an inspired way to teach them stairs and let them play. Have you used steps like this before?
WarriorCanineConnection: Yes, I used this bed with similar stairs when I worked for another program.
PuppyDogLover: What is your favorite part about watching Mia interact with the puppies?
WarriorCanineConnection: I love to see how much love she has for the puppies and how much joy she has when around them. The trainer in me is happy that the puppies are getting used to the unpredictable nature of a toddler 🙂
grlsctldr: Are you finding a similarity between raising Mia and raising the puppies?
WarriorCanineConnection: Puppies and toddlers are very similar..but puppies are SO MUCH easier!!!!
KYbeagle: Will Bea strictly be a service dog or might she be a candidate to have a litter in the future? I looked at her breeder’s web site and her parents are beautiful.
WarriorCanineConnection: There is always the potential that Bea might have a litter. That is two years away and she would need to pass all health clearances and be what we are looking for breeding. If she were to be bred she would still be placed as a service dog after.
moosemom~WI: With the 3 graduating soon, have you received any feedback from the Warriors affected by PTSD? Personally, I know my day is better watching the pups than not.
WarriorCanineConnection: We get feedback all the time about how much the dogs help!
Maxi: Molly, how do you feel about vaccinations? There is controversy over too much or too little.
WarriorCanineConnection: I think vaccines are VERY important. Parvo has been rearing its ugly head recently and that scares me.
Maxi: Re the vaccines: do you prefer individual and spaced out vs. the 3 in 1, for example?
WarriorCanineConnection: I do some combo vaccines but not the crazy 5 or 6 things in one shot and I do space them out quite a bit.
cbwmama: Molly — is the garage connected to the house or do you have to fight the weather to get to it?
WarriorCanineConnection: The garage is very close to the house. Two or three steps in the weather…not bad at all.
Jessie’sMom: Molly, is there anything that surprises you with each litter?
WarriorCanineConnection: Everything surprises me :-). Nothing is ever exactly the same so they always keep me on my toes.
patte: Molly, which of the pups has the most outgoing personality… or are you able tell yet? Flurry reminds me of Levi! 🙂
WarriorCanineConnection: I am not sure who is the most outgoing yet.
lynnesky: Is this the first winter litter? Thinking it may be easier in better weather, or no difference from your point of view?
WarriorCanineConnection: I much prefer summer litters but can’t tell the girls when to cycle.
WarriorCanineConnection: My other “winter” litters were in California 🙂
jjay-Ohio: Molly, is it easier to potty train golden or labs? Or the same?
WarriorCanineConnection: I think potty training is the same for any breed.
moosemom~WI: With training right around the corner, what “rewards” do you give your dogs when they complete the task asked?
WarriorCanineConnection: If I do not have a nasty cold and feel crappy I start training much earlier. I then use the milk replacer Esbilac made into a paste form as treats.
WarriorCanineConnection: The next step and what I will use are the Natural Balance Food Rolls cut into tiny pieces.
Maxi: When there is a very large litter vs. a very small one, what are the major pros and cons re training etc?
WarriorCanineConnection: The number of pups just changes the amount of time it takes for daily training.
Jessie’sMom: What basic command do you feel is hardest for pups to learn? My lab/doxie dog did well with most except “come”…odd, I thought.
WarriorCanineConnection: “Wait,” meaning wait at a threshold is usually hardest.
craftyr: Are Rain’s boys being considered for future breeding?
WarriorCanineConnection: Freedom will be neutered early March. Sam and Indy will both have their semen collected and frozen before neutering. They will have all the health clearances needed for breeding as well. I will have their semen for future use but they can go be working dogs.
Erin R: How often does a female come into heat?
WarriorCanineConnection: They cycle every 6 to 9 months. I notice that my labs tend to be like clockwork every 6 months and then my goldens are longer…like every 9 or 10 months.
DaraNarsiff: Is Olive’s sire chosen yet? Do you know who he will be?
WarriorCanineConnection: Olive will be bred to Rogue, the dog that Misty was supposed to be bred to.
WarriorCanineConnection: I think Olive will be a mix between Holly and Misty.
PuppyDogLover: Being retrievers, I’m sure this comes more naturally to this breed than others, but how do you train your pups to bring you an object?
WarriorCanineConnection: I toss the toy in a hallway or corner…they have no choice but to bring it back to me then. They get tons of praise and treats.
rockyryan – AZ: What color puppies do you anticipate from Olive/Rogue?
WarriorCanineConnection: Rogue is black and Olive is yellow = black and yellow pups.
peribeth: Stupid question…these dogs are not left in a darkened room with candles and flowers and have nature take it’s course? You do it by hand?
WarriorCanineConnection: peribeth – not stupid. Sometimes that is the case, but not always. I want to have genetic diversity and produce the very best dogs possible. Distance often gets in the way of the candles and flowers.
katiehiggins: Molly, did you grow up with dog breeding and training or is this something you have learned to do in your adult years? (Sorry if this has been asked before.)
WarriorCanineConnection: I grew up with labs but not breeding and not really training.
WarriorCanineConnection: I usually had 2 labs at any given time growing up.
lynnesky: Do you (or Rick) have to maintain a “steady” supply of pups for the PTSD/TBI training? Meaning, do you have to be constantly planning in advance how many pups/when?
WarriorCanineConnection Yes, I have to always be thinking of how many dogs we will be needing for any given time. Also taking into account any new programs on the horizon.
Cossack2: The three that are graduating soon – is it known the warriors that they will be placed with?
WarriorCanineConnection: No, we will not make final placement determinations for quite sometime.
jpl: Did Rick grow up with dogs?
WarriorCanineConnection: Rick always wanted a dog but his mom wouldn’t let him have one.
katiehiggins: How far have people traveled to be a puppy petter? I live in Indiana, and I think about trying it sometime!
WarriorCanineConnection: Texas has been the farthest!
Ms.Lady: Will you do a live cam for Olive’s litter??
WarriorCanineConnection: We have not discussed it with Explore but we are not sure what we would do with pups and no live cam now! It is like or our new normal.
Wuvtai5: Does WCC help with any costs of caring for a dog after being assigned to their forever home? A dog can be very expensve and it would be a shame for a WW who needs a dog to have to not get one because of expense.
WarriorCanineConnection: We do not pay for everything when the dog is placed. There are programs to help…International Association of Assistance Dog Partners is one of those organizations.
deniseraeb: If someone wanted to get into becoming a dog breeder, what would be the best way to learn?
WarriorCanineConnection: Find a mentor in the breed. Trust me, there is so much heartache in breeding. It is a labor of love for sure.
