Catch Up On Our WCC Q & A

A big thanks to all the puppy-watchers for joining Tuesday’s live Puppy Cam chat with Molly Morelli, Warrior Canine Connection’s Director of Dog Programs. If you didn’t get your question answered this week, tune in to Puppy Cam next Tuesday at 7:00 pm. Here is this week’s Q&A for anyone who missed it:

crowie: Molly, how did Misty deal with the passing of two of the pups?

WarriorCanineConnection: I made sure she saw the bodies of the two puppies once they passed. Dogs handle things differently – she just pushed them away and went back to her other pups.

rockyryan – AZ: Hi Molly! Do you know how this litter’s names will be chosen?

WarriorCanineConnection: Yes, I do know, but am not telling yet 🙂

Wuvtai5: Different breeds of dogs have different traits and personalities. Is the training done any differently with Labs than with goldens?

WarriorCanineConnection: Goldens and labs are very similar breeds in many ways, however every dog is different and we have to adjust training styles for each dog. Some dogs need just a simple “uh uh” to stop a behavior and others need a very sharp, firm “nope.”

tuppycat-NZ: Hi Molly! Are you on target for the move to the garage?

WarriorCanineConnection: Yes, they should be done on Thursday or Friday and then the indoor fencing will be installed over the weekend. We will start puppy petting there next week and it will probably be around then that the pups are ready for a bigger area to run. 

BobbiRhodes: Now that the pups seem to be thriving and gaining weight are you still giving them antibiotics?

WarriorCanineConnection: Yes, we will finish the course of antibiotics – I think the last day is Friday.

WendyH: How old will the puppies be when their teeth start to come in?

WarriorCanineConnection: I just felt the first of Ms. Orange’s teeth starting to poke out!

jch: How has Explore and Dog Bless You changed you, Rick and WCC? Could you have imagined that a small camera would lead to this??

WarriorCanineConnection: I could not have imagined this. I am so surprised how much it has touched so many people.

lynnesky: Do these pups nurse more “actively” than some? We all notice the yanking!

WarriorCanineConnection: No, this is how most pups tend to nurse, at least in my experience.

moosemom~WI: Once Misty’s litter is older, will you consider breeding another one of your females? If so, would Olive be the next to breed? And thank you for allowing us into your lives each and every day.

WarriorCanineConnection: In the midst of this litter I said I was never breeding again. Now that we are at this point I of course know that isn’t an option. Olive will be bred to Rogue in April when she comes in season.

2rots: Molly, in general how are the HDD pups doing? Are all still destined to be service dogs?

WarriorCanineConnection: Right now I see no reason that HHD will not make some kind of working dog.

jch: Have you (WCC) always had puppy petters? Did Home Depot donate ALL labor and supplies?

WarriorCanineConnection: Yes, we have always had puppy petters. The only thing HD wasn’t able to get donated was a heater/air conditioner that was around $2,000.

flipfloppingal: Will you announce when the Home Depot ribbon cutting will be and will it be on the live cam?

WarriorCanineConnection: Yes, we will announce the date and it will be on the live cam.

LDMom – IL: Hi Molly, I was wondering if you did any of the neurological exercises with the pups?

WarriorCanineConnection: I don’t follow the exercises exactly but do do them with each puppy each day.

Harli’s-mama: WCC had to come up with the money for the heater/air conditioner?

WarriorCanineConnection: The EPWs raised a large chunk of money on Thanksgiving day and we were able to use that to buy the heater. You all provided the “warmth” to our puppies. How sweet is that?

lynnesky: Is Penny “home” for an extended stay? How do other dogs react to her?

WarriorCanineConnection: Penny was having a hard time finding a diet that worked for her. I brought her here to have a vet visit and for me to evaluate. She is such a lovely dog. She is going back “home” on Thursday though.

Maxi: How did Misty come to live with you?

WarriorCanineConnection: Misty was a show dog. She just doesn’t have very much coat to be shown against the “big dogs.” She had her first litter (Olive’s litter) and in that litter she had a daughter that has been very successful in the show ring. 

Brinsmom: Holly and Misty appear to be exceptional mothers – am I right? They both seem so caring, attentive, and nurturing.

WarriorCanineConnection: I will not ever breed a dog a second time that isn’t a good mother the first go around. Mothering has such a profound affect on these puppies. 

Erin R: Molly, you said that Misty came to you after being a show dog. Was she a rescue?

WarriorCanineConnection: Not at all. She was owned by a very reputable breeder that is a friend of mine. He knew that she would produce awesome service dogs so he sent her to me.

puproar: Do you tend to use show dog lines vs. field lines for your breeding program? Or either or both?

WarriorCanineConnection: Show lines. Field dogs have too much chase drive. 

karmackayo: Molly, assuming that the phenomenon of the HDD with FB pages and all is new for you… do you find it fun to watch us EPWs react to HHD adventures and what do you think of all the cool expeirences they are having?

WarriorCanineConnection: It is so amazing to me. It makes me happy to see so many people care about the dogs like I do.

chateauchocolatier: Molly, do you ever have dogs that for whatever reason don’t make it through the service dog training – and therefore need a home? (hint hint)?

WarriorCanineConnection: We do, very, very occasionally have a dog that can’t be a working dog.

gmm – MA: Are labs like goldens in that the ear color is an indicator of their adult color?

WarriorCanineConnection: Oftentimes they do end up the color of their ears.

lll644: So is Olive the only potential Mommy you have right now? Will you keep Holly and Misty?

WarriorCanineConnection: Right now Olive is the only girl I have that is of breeding age (at least 2) and has all appropriate health clearances (hips, elbows, eyes, heart and a few DNA tests). I have a few in the pipeline that are potential broods though.

baxterbear: The pups are too young to interact with the older dogs….at what age can the older dogs visit? It’s ok for the cats to come by though?

WarriorCanineConnection: It’s more that Misty wouldn’t be comfortable having adult dogs around. I just like to keep things calm and stress free for everyone.

weinke: What age do you begin brushing teeth and how often should it be done? I’ve never seen it addressed. Thanks.

WarriorCanineConnection: We start by just having our fingers in their mouth (at this age) and then introduce the toothbrush around 5-6 weeks or so. 

Maxi: Are Misty and Olive closer to each other than the with the other adult pooches because of their Mom/Daughter bond?

WarriorCanineConnection: It is clear to me that mothers always “know” their children but I don’t see any real special bond with those two.

LauraBryson: What is your favorite command to teach the puppies?

WarriorCanineConnection: I like teaching the “sit” and “wait” commands because it makes my life easier.

crowie: When the pups tug on Misty when feeding, is that to squirt the milk into their mouths?

WarriorCanineConnection: It helps to bring the milk down.

tuppycat-NZ: At what age will you introduce the puppies to other food?

WarriorCanineConnection Once they have sufficient head/neck control – usually somewhere between 3 and 4 weeks.

Brinsmom: Do you have any part in the placing of the dogs with the warriors, or is that strictly Rick’s or someone else’s job? You get to know the dogs (pups) so well and know their personalities.

WarriorCanineConnection: I am very involved in the placing of the dogs.