Thank You!
Thanks for joining us during Tuesday’s Puppy Cam chat! We learned a lot about WCC’s new addition, Bea, and also got pumped for the Puppy Enrichment Center ribbon-cutting ceremony. We’ll be streaming the ceremony live tomorrow at 10:00 am ET on Puppy Cam, with sound. Don’t miss it!
Murphy’sMom Hi Molly. I was wondering if Bea arrived safely? She sure is cute!
WarriorCanineConnection Yes, Bea is here safe and sound. She just got here. Keek picked her up from the airport.
rockyryan – AZ Where will Bea be staying – in the house?
WarriorCanineConnection Bea will be with me where ever I am.
PatC You mentioned in the regular chat that you’re using the old camera – what happened to the new one? is it ok?
WarriorCanineConnection We were getting the audio set up on the bigger camera. During the time we were testing we were using the smaller camera. We are back to the big camera.
moosemom~WI Do you enlist PPs to help out more with Misty’s litter than you did with Holly’s?
WarriorCanineConnection We are getting our volunteer program organized so we can utilize volunteers more efficiently.
chelsie’s mom Molly, when was Bea born?
WarriorCanineConnection I don’t know her exact DOB off the top of my head…but she is about 10 weeks.
PatC I noticed this past week that all the dogs seem darker, except maybe one. How long does it take before they’re at their ‘mature’ colour?
WarriorCanineConnection I think that some dogs slowly darken all their lives. I am not sure when they really stop getting darker.
moosemom~WI Now that you have been in the PEC for a few days and have some things set up, do you see a need for anything else that would / could make your job easier? (other than another you and 12 more arms lol).
WarriorCanineConnection Actually, the PEC has way more room that I have ever had for puppies!
tuppycat-NZ Not sure if you missed the question, but were you intending to get the pups outside more now if weather permits? They had so much fun earlier with Grace and Cadence.
WarriorCanineConnection Yes, if weather permits but I don’t think we will get many warm enough days.
Maxi Molly, some dogs lighten as they grow up. (My tri color beagle, for example.) Does this vary greatly from breed to breed?
WarriorCanineConnection I am sure that the color thing varies from breed to breed.
PatC Do you find the girls are more assertive than the boys?
WarriorCanineConnection I don’t find any real differences in the girls vs. the boys.
lynnesky Why do you think that pups are driven to tear down signs? Both litters have done this with tons of toys to play with instead.
WarriorCanineConnection They want to tear down signs because they like to explore with their mouths.
Ms.Lady Molly when will Bea be introduce to the puppies?
WarriorCanineConnection I want to give Bea sometime to be sure she didn’t pick up any bugs on the flight before introducing her to the other puppies.
puppyluv Molly – where are you physically located during our live chats? In the house or just off camera keeping an eye on things?
WarriorCanineConnection I am currently at the desk in the PEC.
lynnesky Did Bea fly in the plane or in “cargo?” I don’t think you’d allow cargo, but was asked this by a friend.
WarriorCanineConnection Our dogs fly using a program called Puppies in Flight with USAirways. These are employees of USAirways that are trained to handle service dogs. They can volunteer their time and free miles to fly dogs around the world.
PuppyDogLover How are the pups doing with potty training? Are they reliable yet?
WarriorCanineConnection The puppies are doing amazing with the potty training! Very rarely is there any poop outside of the box unless it was tracked there and just a few pees. Sometimes they put their front end in the box but the business end is outside of the box.
The Lioness Den Molly, is there a benefit to having a service dog spayed or neutered versus leaving them intact? Do the males especially respond differently to training because of the hormones?
WarriorCanineConnection In order to be placed as a working service dog they must be spayed or neutered, according to our code of ethics.
tuppycat-NZ How are you doing with the selection of puppy parents?
WarriorCanineConnection I am going to hold an informational meeting next week or the week after and will start the long process of home interviews, checking references, etc.
WarriorCanineConnection It will be anywhere from 10-16 weeks. I also have a new pup arriving mid-March but he probably won’t be on camera as his PP is one of our instructors so he will go right with him.
chelsie’s mom I understand that Bea came from a liter of 13. What was your largest litter?
WarriorCanineConnection I had 11 in my largest litter. I did have two litters born 4 days apart and had 17 puppies. I will never do that again!!! I want to be sure each of my puppies gets adequate training and attention and with that many I was going nuts.
jeanbean I’m sorry to come so late to the discussion, but who is Bea?
WarriorCanineConnection Bea is a puppy donated to WCC to be trained as a service dog.
tuppycat-NZ Who’s the new boy coming mid-Mar?
WarriorCanineConnection The boy is from very nice breeding. His mom is a 3/4 sibling to Manny (the sire of Holly’s pups).
cam123 Molly are the puppies still on probiotics? I have started these with my girls as a daily routine. You have taught me so much.
WarriorCanineConnection Yes, the pups are still on probiotics.
jeanbean Do you do the training of the dogs there?
WarriorCanineConnection Yes, we do quite a bit of training here.
DaraNarsiff Molly, will Bea ever be considered for breeding a new litter or just for service?
WarriorCanineConnection I do not ever think of breeding a dog until they are much older. They have to pass health clearances at 2 and have to meet all of my criteria for breeding stock. If all goes well she could potentially have a litter before she is spayed and placed.
jeanbean Do the pups do any nursing anymore? How is Misty doing? Does she miss seeing her pups as often as she used to?
WarriorCanineConnection The pups are done nursing. Misty only misses having all the puppy petters 🙂
lynnesky You stated these pups are “rough and tumble”- more so than other lab litters of yours?
WarriorCanineConnection No, these are typical labradors.
jeanbean Will it be hard to see the pups go? How long do you have them there before they leave?
WarriorCanineConnection No, it is never hard to see the pups go. I know they are off to bigger and better things.
Maxi When do you recommend a dog first visiting a dentist and/or having a professional cleaning?
WarriorCanineConnection Dogs should go to the vet for a teeth cleaning when they show signs of tartar build up.
Slipper What would you say is your biggest need right now? Besides more sleep =)
WarriorCanineConnection Funds to keep the program running. We desperately need to hire additional trainers to keep up with the demand of Wounded Warriors needing therapy and veterans needing service dogs.
patte Molly, How do you determine which of the puppies will be the first to leave?
WarriorCanineConnection The first pups to leave will be those that have a good PP match and the PP is ready to take them.
WarriorCanineConnection If I have a more active puppy they will go with a more active PP. That is what I mean by matching.
iluvdogs Will any of the HHd pups be at the ribbon cutting ceremony……Levi??
WarriorCanineConnection Many of the HHD Puppy Parents work during the day. I know that Ruby and Lucy will be here. Grace will be here but probably not on camera as I won’t be handling her as I will be busy running around. Her PP’s return soon.
mgatesy After these pups are placed, do you have a time line for another litter?
WarriorCanineConnection Olive will be bred in April when she comes into season. That means pups in June, just like HHD.
rescuemom Have you ever had 2 litters in the house at the same time?
WarriorCanineConnection I did two litters about four years ago. Actually, almost exactly four years ago! Born early Feb. Never again!
doglove Do the puppies have any Valentine’s Day plans?
WarriorCanineConnection No big plans for Valentine’s Day. Just getting ready for our big day Friday.
Maxi What do you tell little children when they inquire, “Where puppies come from?”
WarriorCanineConnection If a child asks me that kind of question I direct them to their parents. Same thing if they ask about what the pups are doing when they are nursing.
tuppycat-NZ Grace and Cadence seemed to leap over the pups a few times too 🙂 Is it Rogue you are still planning for Olive?
WarriorCanineConnection Yes, Rogue for Olive.
rescuemom The cycles of women who live together sometimes eventually “merge” so they have their cycles at the same time. Does that happen with female dogs that live together?
WarriorCanineConnection Yes, it does happen with female dogs and that can make things challenging.
Kaysy How do the pups always look so clean?
WarriorCanineConnection I am not sure why the pups look so clean. I guess they are clean!
jeanbean Showing my ignorance again, but does every “romantic encounter” between an in-heat female and a male result in puppies?
WarriorCanineConnection jeanbean – I am here to educate so don’t worry about asking questions. No, just ask women do not always get pregnant or sometimes miscarry, the same can happen with dogs.
doglove If Bea for example were not weaned and she were around Misty, would her instinct be to try to nurse?
WarriorCanineConnection Yes, Bea could try to nurse from Misty but she has been weaned long enough that I doubt she would.
Slipper Do these young puppies shed, or is is just an adult thing?
WarriorCanineConnection No, the puppies do not shed a whole lot yet. Misty is shedding like crazy so the puppy petters would leave with a layer of fur on them.
NormaJoe Molly, do you and Rick have access to data from studies that show the relationship from PTSD and dogs helping the healing process?
WarriorCanineConnection NormaJoe – Rick is actually working on a specific study right now about PTSD and dogs. There are not many out there as of yet.
LaurieAllen This is my first time posting, but I have been here since HHD. Is Bea going to be joining Misty’s five?
WarriorCanineConnection I am not sure yet if Bea will get mixed in with the litter or not. I want to give her a few days to settle in and I get to know her personality before making that decision.
2rots These puppies seem to be a little more “bitey” than Holly’s. I know you said they are typical labs, but do you agree they seem to be a little bit more nippy than golden puppies?
Maxi Molly, you and Rick are so young but have accomplished so very much together. Did you initially meet through a dog breeding program?
