We have been busy caring for both Ruska and her new puppies. Ruska is an amazing mama. She is loving and protective and constantly caring for her babies. Because she has 11 puppies, she can not feed everyone at the same time; they have to feed in shifts. We give extra attention making sure all the puppies get their share of milk. I continue to be pleased at our morning weigh in ………. everyone is gaining nicely!
It was an exciting day today. My daughter-in-law is an amazing photographer and came with her family today to do our singles. It was not an easy feat. Co-operation was not on the puppies agenda but, our photographer has an abundance of patience and she did an superb job! Thank you Eryn!
The Boys
Gold BoyRed BoyLight Blue BoyDark Blue BoyGreen Boy
The Girls
Black GirlOrange GirlLight Pink GirlPurple GirlDark Pink GirlBrown Girl
Now that things have calmed down and we are in a routine, I wanted to share a few pictures from our July 29th Whelp. It was a long week trying to be patient waiting for our puppies to arrive. After a week of disrupted sleep, waking up each night and checking on Ruska, I was not well rested when the main event began. On the afternoon of the 28th, we were certain Ruska was finally in labor, She spent a restless evening between our sofa and floor. Ruska started to deliver puppies early morning just after 2 am and continued for 12 hours until 2 pm when she delivered her 11th puppy. My daughter was a great help to me durning the whelping process and my husband Tom kept the coffee coming and preparing food for us. Ruska, the star of the Whelp, did an amazing job! Each time I see a puppy born I’m reminded of creation, the miracle of birth and am again amazed at the natural instincts animals have been given!.
A newborn puppy stays warm with Ruska after she cleaned him. Pups stay with their mom for awhile after birth. We then examine them, towel dry them, weigh them and record their birth weight. Finally we put collars on – a different coloured ribbon on each puppy to keep track of their progress in the coming days and weeks.
Puppies in our “warming bed” while Ruska delivers another puppy. Newborn puppies must be warm before they can nurse.
We get newborn puppies nursing as soon as possible to get that all important first milk – colostrum. It helps build immunity, as they are born with none. The protein-rich special milk provides passive immunity in dogs. It can last several weeks and protect them from various infections and diseases.
After 12 hours of Whelping, a little girl arrives – Puppy #11. Notice her pink nose. Pigment hasn’t developed yet. Puppies nose and little pink pads on their feet will begin changing in the next few days.
Puppies are born with their eyes and ears sealed shut, not able to see or hear. Only minutes old this puppy has the amazing ability to crawl to her mother and begin to nurse without any help.
We have been busy with little sleep making sure our tiny new arrivals are getting their share of milk. Puppies can loose up to 10% of their birth weight the first day. I was pleased this morning at weigh in. Most of our puppies only lost 2-3% of their birth weight and we even had two puppies gain. Yeah, good job Ruska!
Ruska feeding her babiesPuppies sleeping with full tummies
Puppies nursing; watch green boy crawl to his mama for breakfast
L.A. Doodles is proud to announce the arrival of Tulo and Ruska’s litter of F2B Goldendoodles
Born July 29, 2020
They welcomed 11 puppies – 5 boys and 6 girls
We are all very tired after over 12 hours of whelping that started with the first puppy arriving at 2 am. It is going to be a full time job making sure everyone is being fed. Ruska did an amazing job!
We have had many inquires the past couple days from families, so I wanted to give an update on Ruska and her expectant litter of puppies ……. Ruska is doing well, – getting lots of rest, love and pampering. Her tummy continues to expand which I’m sure is making her more uncomfortable with each passing day. I am doing my best to be patient. I get up in the middle of the night just to check on her and when I wake in the morning I’m disappointed that we are still waiting to meet our little ones. It reminds me of my own pregnancies. I was overdue and with each passing day getting more impatient!
The puppies are still very active and when we place our hand on her tummy it is easy to feel them moving. It is always exciting for me when I listen to the puppies heartbeats but Ruska is never keen on the idea. I don’t think she likes the noise from the doppler LOL. I thought you might also enjoy hearing them so I enlisted the help of my daughter and she videoed for me to share. Enjoy!
Listening for puppy heartbeats
Finding Puppy HeartbeatsListen to hear three different puppy heartbeats
It’s difficult to predict an exact due date with dogs. Ruska’s previous litters of puppies came at the beginning of her “whelping window” but, with this pregnancy it is not the case. We are now on day 65. It is not unheard of that dogs don’t deliver until day 68 -70. She was bred with Tulo three times over a 5 day period. Multiple breedings are done because you’re guessing when your female is ovulating. I believe she did not conceive during the first and second mating. The third mating is when she conceived, making a later whelping date. We will have to continue to be patient! Not easy for me or our families waiting for the news!
Everything is ready and we are waiting with anticipation . Ruska has slowed down the last couple days and getting lots of rest. I am sure she is getting uncomfortable as her tummy grows larger with each passing day. Gestation period for puppies is anywhere from 58 day to 65 days; we are on Day 61. Hopefully our whelping box will be full of puppies very soon! I will post the news when they arrive.
Whelping box set up and waitingSupplies ready and waitingRuska sleeping, resting up for the delivery. What a big tummy!
Ruska is a Apricot F1 Standard Goldendoodle weighing 58 lbs. Tulo is a Cream F1B Standard Goldendoodle weighing 70 lbs.. This is their third litter of puppies. They have produced beautiful calm puppies and we have had glowing feedback from their wonderful families.
Ellie and Brinkley’s Multi-generation (F2bb) Goldendoodles
Due Date: August 12, 2020
Ellie is our fun loving Cafe au Lait Standard Poodle weighing 50 lbs.. Brinkley is our calm gentle F2B Flat coat Goldendoodle weighing 75 lbs. This is their first mating. They both have loving gentle dispositions which they should pass on to their puppies.
If you would like to be added to our waiting list for either litter, please follow instructions via the contact page.
We are excited and looking forward to another litter of puppies. Ruska was bred to Tulo the last week of May. If all goes well, puppies will be due July 26, 2020.
Date Night
Wet Dogs – Ruska and Tulo love the outdoors; even in the rain!
Our waiting list is open and we already have families interested in this litter. If you would like to be added to our wait list, or have any questions you may contact us through our contact page
Spring is here and I am again challenged keeping my dogs clean from the mud caused by melting snow and rain. My dog wash is getting plenty of use! I am so looking forward to the warmer weather and sunshine to dry up our yard!
Last week my daughter and I took a road trip to pick up our new puppy Willow. She is a beautiful standard parti poodle with chocolate merle markings. It is such an exciting time when a puppy joins the family but an adjustment to all, including our dogs Ruska, Ellie and Brinkley. Brinkley and Ellie were unsure if they wanted little Willow to join our family and let her know by growls and even a few snaps. Ruska, the matriarch of our dog family, put everyone in their place and took over mothering our new pup.
Pick up day
Potty Training
Willow is becoming more comfortably with her new surroundings and fitting in well. She is such a sweet, smart puppy and we have begun her training – working on some commands ….. sit, stay, down etc.
Potty training has also begun. Willow was “Kennel Raised” and did not begin potty training with her breeders. Even though she is three months old, she didn’t have a clue about the rules of going potty. Willow has now developed a habit which has to be broken, making potting training harder. I have begun trying to teach her there is a place to go potty – outside (not anywhere in the house whenever she feels the urge).
Even though it takes a lot of time and effort on my part, this is why I have chosen to raise our puppy litters in my home. At around 3-1/2 weeks of age we move our puppies out of the whelping box and into our puppy enclosure area. This is when potty training begins. I spend most of my time durning the next 3 days, putting each puppy in the potty area each time they wake and after they eat. This teaches them there is a “place” to go potty. It is amazing how quickly they figure it out and so satisfying to see them run to the potty area by themselves when they wake up or while they are playing! I believe it makes it easier for their forever family to house train when they go home.
My puppy litters begin potty training at around 3 -1/2 weeks of age. The above photo is of our puppy enclosure where we raise our puppies when they leave their whelping box. Notice the potty area in the top right corner of our puppy enclosure.
Today is a beautiful sunny day and so welcomed after many days of rain! Hopefully it will help dry up our yard because, rain or shine, our dogs like to spend most of their day outside.
The countdown is on……I am looking forward with excitement to the arrival of Ruska’s and Tulo’s puppies. Tomorrow will mark one week until the due date. We can now feel her puppies moving when we put our hands on her tummy! She is getting extra attention and all the cuddles she wants. The whelping box is now set up beside my bed and I have noticed Ruska napping in it a few times. Hopefully she will start whelping in her box and not in my bed.
I have been trying to keep the dogs in the air-conditioned house and limit the time outside during these hot humid days. Ruska is slowing down some as her tummy is expanding but she still likes to patrol the yard and chase the squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits and birds. Then she jumps into the pond at the end of our waterfall to cool off LOL
Look for our Birth Announcement. I will post it on our website when the puppies arrive.
