AKC paper information

Puppy Schedule

Hey Everybody,

We are QUICKLY approaching when our puppies start going home. I cannot thank you again enough for trusting us to raise your new family member. We have enjoyed getting to spend the last 8 weeks with them and I cannot wait to watch them grow (meaning I want lots of pictures from you guys)! 

Please make sure you go back and read the puppy supply list and information that was posted to this blog a couple of weeks ago. There is a lot of helpful information on there about your puppies first night, crate training and the do's and don'ts of having a new puppy.

Currently all puppies are eating 1/2 cup of dry puppy food (Hills Science Diet....Large Breed).

We feed them at 7am, 12pm, and 5:30pm

For potty training purposes make sure to take your pup out right after they finish eating. Each puppy will grow at different paces so I cannot tell you exactly when to increase their food. If your puppy is finishing their food and searching for more then this will be a good indicator it's time to increase. The main thing is that we do not want an obese dog so do not over feed. Also, the number 1 question I get asked is when should we transition to adult food. Some vets say 6 months and some say 12 months. This all depends on how quickly your puppy grows. We do not want them to grow too fast, so consult with your vet at each appointment as to when they think is a good time to transition.

Remember when your puppy arrives that this is all new to them. This is the first time they have been away from their siblings and us. Give them time to adjust and do not overwhelm them. If you have small children try to make this transition as calm as possible. Also, make sure your home is puppy proof. They are curious and also teething...so it is VERY important to make sure they are in a safe area.

Potty training: The fun fun part of a new baby puppy :)

Patience is key. Remember they have to learn it is not okay to go potty inside your house. Also, remember they cannot hold it through the night. They will need to be let out about every 3 hours...this includes night time too. If you stick to a plan then you will have a potty trained pup in no time.

Last but definitely not least is creating a well behaved puppy. Always ask yourself- I know this behavior may be cute now but will it be cute when they are 70 + pounds?!? For example, if a cute little puppy jumps up on your leg and your initial response is to pet them or pick them up then you are rewarding that behavior and they do not understand why they are no longer allowed to do that when they are 12 months old. So, no jumping or chewing....make sure to correct these behaviors from the beginning. 

If you have any questions at any time please do not hesitate to ask....we are here to help in any way possible. 

Enjoy your new puppy and please keep us posted on how they are doing!

Thank you,

Alyson Stuart

Southland Goldens

Play hard....nap hard

Week 7 Video

Hey Everybody!!

Here is our week 7 Video. These guys and gals have been so much fun :)

Hope you enjoy 

Week 6 Video

Hey Everybody,

Here is our week 6 video! Our picking process has officially began. If you have 1st pick please let me know if you have any questions or if you know which puppy will be yours :)

Also, reminder that the final puppy balance is due now. Our mailing address is:

Southland Goldens

PO Box 60

Troy, AL 36081

Check can be made out to Alyson Stuart

Have a good weekend!

Hey Everybody,

Just wanted to give you a quick look at how the pups are doing. Hope you all have a good weekend

Week 5 Video

Hey Everybody,

Here is our week 5 Video. Please make sure to check your email as I sent out an email today to everyone. If you did not receive one from me please let me know.

Also I have had people as about final payment. You may mail a check to Alyson Stuart at the following address:

Southland Goldens

PO Box 60

Troy, AL 36081

I will let you know as soon as I receive your payment

Thank you!

Happy 4th of July

Firefighter Luke and his crew 🤣🐶💙

Vet check

We went today for our 4 week check up and Doc says we look GREAT!!

Week 4 Video

Happy Monday!! Enjoy your week 4 video :)

These pups are really starting to be a lot of fun

We are getting big....

Week 3 Video

Sooo....who's favorite day of the week is now Monday?!? That means it's video day :)

Here is your week 3 video. Hope you enjoy 

Puppy 101 and Supplies

Your puppy will be joining you and your family soon…how exciting!!! However, the first couple of days in their new home can be stressful for your new puppy. Remember this is the first time they have been away from their mother, littermates and their first human family. This is also a new time for you so we have come up with a list of do’s and don’ts to hopefully make this transition as smooth as possible.

1.      Puppy Proof Your Home:

This is VERY important. There are many things that your new puppy can get into that are harmful for them. You will want to puppy proof your home just as you would for a baby. For example, there does not need to be any cords that your puppy can get to…they will chew on them! There are chew repellent sprays that you can use to spray furniture legs to keep your teething puppy from chewing them. The best option is to have a safe environment that you puppy can play in without you having to be right there….there are many different size playpen options that will work.

2.      Bringing your puppy to meet their new family:

Remember this is all new to your puppy…make this a calm time. Let them explore and get use to everything. All puppies are different…some may run around exploring and some may just freeze because they are overwhelmed. Either way it is perfectly normal and doesn’t define “what your puppy will always be like”.

If you have another pet put them away right now. Once your puppy is comfortable in the new area you can introduce other pets. Also, if you have small children try to let you puppy get use to everything before bringing them around the puppy….kids excitement can scare your puppy at first. The calmer this initial introduction is the easier it will be for your pup. Also, remember your puppy will need to sleep after a long day with a lot of change so allow them to do so.

3.      Setting a routine for your new puppy:

Puppies are like children…they need a routine. We will send you a copy of the routine they are on when they are with us. You are more than welcome to change it up (gradually) to better fit your lifestyle. Just remember at 8 weeks they are still babies and need to go potty frequently. They will need scheduled eating, play, potty and rest times. You will be able to lengthen the time between potty breaks as they get older. When you take your puppy out to the bathroom make sure you take them to a spot you always want them to use. While it may be easier to let them use the bathroom right by the back door in the middle of the night just remember you do not want your full grown dog always going potty right by the back door! Also, potty time is always serious business….this is not a time to play. Just repeat the command you use (ex. “go potty”) until they do….once they do give them light praise and then back inside or to their play area.

4.      The first night:

Oh the joys of the first night! Your puppy WILL cry. You WILL believe this may never end. I promise you it will and they will survive. Remember this is their first night away from the world as they know it. We will send home a blanket with their littermates and mom’s scent…use it! This will bring some comfort to them. We have also found it helps to have a stuffed animal in there for them to cuddle up to (this is how they sleep with their littermates). Even though your puppy is crying do not let them out of the crate or pay them any attention. You do not want your puppy to associate that the more noise they make the more likely they are to get out of the cage! Stick to your routine and only let them out when it’s time for them to go potty. I promise as the days go by if you stick to your routine the puppy crying will end.

     5. Training:

I cannot stress enough how important it is to start training your puppy as soon as you get them. There is a book called “The Perfect Puppy” by Gwen Bailey (It can be found on Amazon). I recommend reading this before your puppy joins you. It gives a lot of great advice on raising a well behaved dog! We use clicker training as well as a pinch collar for our puppies. There are many different training methods but if you are interested in this way then I will be more than happy to help you with it.

Just remember do not let your puppy get away with a behavior if it is something you would not want a full grown dog to do. For example it may be cute that your puppy jumps up on your leg for you to pet them but they will quickly be 70 + pounds and it will not be nearly as cute! Same goes for allowing them to play bite…this is a big no no and should be corrected immediately. 

6. Supplies:

Here are a list of supplies we recommend having for your new puppy

a.      Leash and Collar. Your puppy will need a collar that can be adjusted easily. The collar should fit snuggly so it won’t slip off but not too tight; you should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and the pup’s neck. Make sure to check this frequently because your puppy will be growing quickly. Most of our puppies are wearing 8-11 inch collars before they leave at 8 weeks and they are usually as loose as they can go. A leash is needed for walks, potty break and training. I would recommend a short leash in the beginning so you are in control during the training process….you do not want a dog that is going to pull you around the neighborhood- you want one that will walk by your side.

b.      Crate and playpen. We are big on crate training and playpens not only because it keeps your puppy safe when you are unable to watch them but it also helps with the potty training process. For those of you whose puppy is flying you can use the crate they arrive in for a while. It is the perfect size for when they are little. For everyone else I would recommend purchasing a 42” crate. These crates will be too big for your puppy at first so make sure you use a divider to section the place off where your new puppy will sleep. You do not want them to have the whole crate because dogs do not like to go potty where they sleep….if they have the option to go to the other end of the crate to potty then come back to sleep that makes the potty training process a lot harder. Make sure your puppy is able to stand up, lie down, turn around and stretch inside the crate.

c.       Food and Water bowls. There are many different types of doggy dishes to choose from. I would recommend using a stainless steel bowl because they are easy to clean and sanitize (unlike plastic bowls which can easily get scratched and hold bacteria and residue in these areas). They also cannot be chewed up by a new teething puppy.

d.      Grooming. We use baby shampoo on all of our puppies and adult dogs. You will also need a brush, nail clippers (make sure to only cut the hook of the nail off. If you are uncertain have your vet show you the proper way) and tooth brush. Start a regular grooming routine as soon as your puppy joins you- this will make the process a lot easier when they are adults.

e.      Toys. Puppies love toys. We recommend strong durable, well-made toys (like kong toys) that are sized appropriately for your dog. Cheaper is not always better- you do not want a toy that your dog can easily take apart and swallow small pieces. Rope toys are also good as they help floss teeth while the puppy plays. Also make sure to get fetching toys such as tennis balls.

f.        Cleaning Supplies. Your puppy is going to have accidents inside. You will need to use an odor neutralizing cleaning supply that removes all traces of urine and pet stains to keep your puppy from repeatedly using the same spot. 

Here is a little trick... purchase a large lamb chop stuffed animal and lay the blanket with the littermates scent under it....we have found this helps pups on their first couple nights as they are use to laying on top of each other :)

Week 2 Video

Hey Everybody,

Here is our week 2 video. Hope you enjoy :)

Happy Friday

Week 1 Video

Hey Everybody,

Here is our week 1 video!! All the pups and mama are doing great. 

The pups going home date is July 27th (which falls on a Monday). You can pick your pup up the Saturday or Sunday before if a weekend is easier for you. 

And now for an overload of cuteness :)

Meet the puppies

Hey Everybody,

It's time to meet the puppies :) 

These are the color collars they will wear until they go home. We will share their weight and what we notice about their temperament each week in our videos.

Everyone is doing great! The puppies will have their dewclaws removed today.

The Girls:

Ms. Purple, Ms. Pink, Ms. Orange, Ms. Gray and Ms. Yellow

The Boys:

Mr. Black, Mr. Blue, Mr. Red, Mr. Green and Mr. Brown

You will see Mr. Green has a slight green tint. No, he will not stay green forever :)

Here is an explanation as to why his coat is green (we have had this with puppies before and by week 5 the color is gone):

The green fur comes from a bile pigment called biliverdin, which is found in the placenta of dogs.

Biliverdin dislodges as the puppy is born, and mixes with the amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid is what surrounds the puppies in their mother’s womb, and when biliverdin mixes in, it can stain the puppy’s coat. The green hair will grow out and it will go back to normal.

Apart from its odd colored coat for a few weeks,  the puppy is perfectly normal.

Group Photo:

Dinner time....

Here is a quick photo I was able to get of 7 out of the 10 puppies headed to the dinner table. 

Puppies and mama are doing great (we however are slightly sleep deprived lol)

Sweet Dreams

It’s 2:30am here and everyone is doing well

Sweet dreams :)

5 Boys and 5 Girls

Hey Everybody,

Wow what a busy (exciting) day!! We have 10 puppies (5 Boys and 5 Girls). Dana is doing great and is such a good mama. 

All the puppies are doing good and nursing. The 5th boy is the smallest in the litter. The next few days we will stay with them at all times to make sure all are nursing and getting enough to eat. Right now our focus is on Dana and the puppies so our first real introduction of the puppies will come in a few days. Our first video will be our week 1 video next Monday. 

I couldn’t help but get a few pictures of the sweet pups. Here is the first look at your new fur baby :)

Puppies are here

Dana and puppies are doing great! 

So far we have 5 girls and 4 boys

Will keep you posted 

Dana is in Labor...

Dana is in labor :)

All is going well. As you can imagine this is a busy time but I will update as I can. 

X-ray

Hey Everybody,

Today was our x-ray day and it looks like we have 8 puppies (give or take one). She definitely has a belly full and everything looks great. As you can see it's hard to count exactly how many but our vet guesses 8 or 9. Her due date isn't until June 5th but he also thinks she is ready and can go any day next week. I will keep you all posted here on the blog :)

Have a great weekend!!

Welcome and Ultrasound Video

Hey Everybody,

Welcome to the blog for our Dana/ Tommy litter. This is where all information, pictures, videos, etc will be posted from now on. It is easier for us to keep everyone informed by posting everything on here. If you have any questions or anything you can still contact us through email at southlandgoldens@yahoo.com

There is a place on the top right of the blog where you can "follow by email". Enter your email address here. You will receive a confirmation email (make sure the check your junk folder if it is not in your inbox). Once you have confirmed your email you will start receiving a notification every time we post to the blog. 

Now for the fun news....we went today for Dana's ultrasound and we were able to see puppies!!! The second our vet put the wand on Dana's belly we were able to see puppies...which is a great sign. We are unable to get an exact count on an ultrasound because you can't tell which ones you have counted and which you haven't. We will go around June 1st for an x-ray. This will give us a better idea of how many puppies she will have. I will post the x-ray picture on this blog as well

Here is the video of today's ultrasound...your first glimpse at your new fur baby :)