Instructions
Avoid interfering with the birthing process unless problems arise. Generally, the mother will remove the umbilical cord and placental sac from each puppy after it is born; if she does not, you should intervene in the process. Depending on the severity of issues arising at birth, you may need to contact a veterinarian. Leave the puppies to suckle, because it is vital that they get their mother's milk and colostrum promptly after birth.
Allow the mother to take care of her puppies for about eight weeks. This is an important time for young dogs, as they learn how to interact with one another and grow. They are also getting valuable nutrition from their mother's milk.
Begin weaning the puppies at around three-and-a-half or four weeks of age. While the mother will be able to produce milk for much longer, introducing puppies to normal food around this age will help speed the weaning process and allow them to go to a new home quicker if you intend to rehome them.
Purchase the same brand of food the mother eats, but select the puppy specific formulation which helps give puppies the extra nutrition they need. Do not feed adult dog food. Blend puppy food and milk replacer into a soft mush, and offer it to the puppies, allowing them to eat as much as they please. Take the food away after about 15 minutes. Over time, gradually decrease the amount of milk replacer until, by seven weeks, the puppies are eating only dry food rather than the mush or their mother's milk.
Start socializing the puppies at around four weeks of age. While the puppies' primary caregiver should be their mother, begin introducing them to new people and handling them around this age. Let the puppies get used to household activities such as vacuuming and other day-to-day tasks, and make sure not to be too quiet around the puppies so they get used to noises and situations they may encounter later in life.
Begin housebreaking the puppies around five weeks of age, taking them outside to relieve themselves. Take the puppies to the same place consistently, encourage them to go potty and praise them when they eliminate their waste. Puppies should be taken out after they wake up, after feeding and watering, when very excited or whenever they show signs they need to use the bathroom. Be patient and do not punish mistakes, as house-training can take a while to sink in. Young puppies cannot hold it in as long as adult dogs.
How to Raise Miniature Goldendoodle Puppies
Breeding a golden retriever with a miniature or toy poodle will result in a mixed-breed dog colloquially called the miniature goldendoodle. Goldendoodles may be bred with each other or one of the original parent breeds for multi-generational crosses. While not an officially recognized or sanctioned breed, miniature goldendoodles have an appealing appearance and can produce great puppies. Raising them poses a challenge, although not one any greater than the challenges posed by other kinds of dogs. While the early legwork will be done by the puppies' mother, socialization and training fall squarely upon you as the breeder.