Guardian Families

Comment

Comment by Adina P on February 28, 2011 at 3:34pm

Thanks for clarifying.  Hmmm...I suppose if the dog were very carefully supervised during heats when she was outdoors that would suffice.  Hopefully if someone else has a similar experience they will jump in.

Comment by lyn cederholm on February 28, 2011 at 3:23pm

We do have invisible fencing, but realize that won't keep out dogs.  My understanding is that even a physical fence won't keep out males during a heat cycle, so either way you have to be very careful, but just wondered if there are those that have found success without a physical fence.  This particular female only has 1-2 breedings left.

Comment by Adina P on February 28, 2011 at 3:19pm

I would be surprised if a breeder was willing to part with a breeding female if the guardian family did not have a fenced yard.  I am not a guardian family, but I would imagine that 'on leash' would be a requirement AT ALL times in an unsecured yard regardless of heat simply for the safety of a dog that belongs to someone else.  Now a dog can be trained to be off leash reliable...but that amount of training takes a lot of time and is very intense ... it can't be just occasional training lessons.

Comment by lyn cederholm on February 28, 2011 at 3:12pm

Do any of you serving as guardian families to a female, get by without a physically fenced yard?  If so, what do you do to manage that (only take her out on the leash during her heat, have a temporary fence)?   Any suggestions would be appreciated as we explore this option.  :)

Comment by Nancy - Opal, Meadow & Tariki on February 13, 2011 at 9:02pm

I forgot to add.... I never ever forget that she is NOT yet MY dog.... my obligation to her safety and well being are always TOP in my mind - not that they wouldn't be anyways... you know... looking after someone else's 'things' better than you would your own.  She is a business too - I'm sorry if that sounds weird.

Comment by Nancy - Opal, Meadow & Tariki on February 13, 2011 at 8:58pm

I have had a guardian for almost 4 years now.  She is due for her last litter (she has had 2 previous litters) in the next few months.  I am fortunate to live within 15 minutes of the breeder.  That is a bonus!!  I have had her to the breeder a few hours prior to whelping, both litters.  When my girl moves to her house I can visit as often as I like.  I like to take the first week off for her to just pay attention to her babies (and the break is nice).  But then I try to go every other day, and bring snacks to give her some 'time off'.

 

I live on acreage and every farm near me has a minimum of 2 dogs.  NEVER during any of her heats have I had one come over for a visit... nor the coyotes for that matter.  She is in a contained area, in the house or walked on leash (on our property) through out that time.  Her sister works vigorously at keeping her satisfied (wink wink nudge nudge).  Bleeding?  I have never used a diaper.  She keeps herself quite clean.  She is outside OR only on hard surface floors.  I just mop up every night.  I do lots of laundry as well.  If she HAS to be on carpet... she is on a large blanket or quilt.  I haven't found that part to be that much of an issue.

 

My girl does some unusual behaviours when she is in heat... but I can not tell you what they are, I only recognize them as they happen.  Maybe she gets a little more sucky and clingy.  A little more bitchy with her sister. Once she is pregnant... well that is another story.  My girls both have had morning sickness.  So breakie first thing is a no go... and then WHAT they will eat is a mystery EVERY day (I feed raw).  I throw out a lot of food if I don't time it right and just give it to her sister.  We do a lot of tripe, yoghurt, apples and sweet potatoes during that time.  I actually kept putting a plate of food in front of my one dog during the morning sickness phase... my first experience... all of a sudden her face went long and she puked!!  I felt like such a bad care giver!!  So I never ask more than once if something is a go or not. LOL.

 

I could probably go on forever.  It has been agreat experience for me.... I have a great breeder to work with.

Comment by lyn cederholm on February 13, 2011 at 8:09pm

We have the opportunity to be a guardian to a 1 year old chocolate labradoodle!  She seems super sweet and it's exciting to think about!  I wanted to find out what your biggest challenges are with being a guardian home.  How do you handle the bleeding with your female dog in heat?  Do the diapers work?  Also, do you find stray males lurking in your yard when she's in heat (I've been told that this can happen).   What behavioral changes do you notice in the female when she's in heat?  Any signs of aggression?  Thanks for any advice you can offer! :)

Comment by Amy Gates - Sound Labradoodles on January 10, 2011 at 11:48pm

We are seeking a guardian family in the Seattle area for our new female breeding prospect puppy. Please visit our website for more information! http://soundlabradoodles.com/about-us/guardian-homes

Comment by bmdoodle on December 9, 2010 at 5:57pm

I have been a guardian mom to Bella (cream coloured medium golden doodle) for 1 1/2 years and a guardian mom to Mia ( parchment coloured mini labradoodle for 6 months). Bella had her first litter last August. She had 7 beautiful babies! Mia is having her first heat right now so she will probably have her first litter in the summer. We visit the breeder often so that Mia and Bella can have a playdate with all of her other dogs. This way when it is time for them to go and have their babies they don't feel that they are in a strange place.I love being a guardian mom!

Comment by Jacque Reynolds on November 3, 2010 at 6:28pm

Hi Kami, Meggie is adorable!! Congratulations on being a guardian! Meggie is so lucky too!

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