associated with  negative connotations. ​ If this was you, don’t worry about it, it happens. No worries. In fact, thank you for this opportunity to clarify.
 
Questions & Answers: 
Many years ago, we asked our vet about a healthy, smaller pup.  We asked about it being a
r-u-n-t.  Our vet, who is an Aggie alum and multi-honored veterinarian, told us simply, “As people come in different sizes from petite to large, so do puppies.  It does not mean that a puppy is sickly or underdeveloped just because it is small.”  Over the years we have subscribed to this belief and know it to be true. 
 
Health Comes First: 
Before one of our females goes into heat she is checked for health, she’s DNA and OFA tested, vaccinations are all in order, and so forth. The same standards are applied to our males before breeding. When there is a tie the female begins a maternity regiment which means she gets supplements, eggs, and transitions to puppy food.  Through delivery and afterward (neonatal) she is watched closely. 

*Please note ‘delivery’ also covers the 2 weeks prior to the due date.

During active labor, there is a primary person with the dam and a backup person on call.  Minutes after birth, each pup is examined, evaluated, and weighed.  Within the next 4-6 days each pup is examined by a veterinarian when dewclaws are removed.  This process is only the beginning of a puppy’s 2 Cute Havanese neonatal care.  The dam is also carefully monitored to meet recovery expectations such as lactation, weight, diet, etc.
 
Initially, the puppies are weighed in grams twice daily or more if there is any question because grams are more precise to track small changes with than ounces.  The appropriate weight parameter depends on the parents’ weight.  We expect every puppy to gain on average about 100 grams in the first 7-10 days and to double the birth weight in the first 14 days. If the puppy does not reach these goals, then it’s a red flag. Does this mean the puppy is in trouble? Not necessarily.  It could mean the dam, the milk, or a few other things need to be checked. 
 
What if a pup does not look right and/or failed to gain weight according to our standards? It is possible for a dog to conceive twice in a heat cycle meaning some pups may actually be older than others in the same litter.  This is not usual, but it does happen.  So what?  There are older and younger pups, not healthier vs. sickly.  There can be slightly premature pups that need a little bit more attention but are fully capable of meeting our developmental goals or there is simply a small puppy. If any puppy is slower to meet these milestones we look for the pup to ‘Turn The Corner’ where their weight gain, feeding, etc., becomes more self-regulated and their growth continues normally.  Some smaller puppies have zoomed past these checkpoints with serious vim and vigor!

The Truth Is... 
Is Mother Nature consistent?  No.  Once in a while, she goes sideways, and a puppy is born with an issue.  A newborn’s troubled condition is usually known at birth and immediate remedies may be available or there are routine care procedures to follow.  There is the ER and the clinic to go to if needed.  Lola is particularly gifted with puppy neonatal care as our veterinarian noted.  Sadly, we have seen a puppy who passes due to circumstances beyond our control and any veterinarian’s ability to save that pup. Walk away from any breeder who tells you this does not happen to them. A birth defect can simply be a  fluke of nature when something does not develop properly.  It happens more often than a congenital issue especially when the parents are vetted, health tested, and so much more. Many of our dogs have multi-generational histories with us, like our great-great grans, to our newest generation, and covering everything in between.

What do we do if a pup is developing slower than its littermates or differently than we prefer? Well, we sit back and give the puppy a little extra TLC and time to get ‘there’. We speak with our vets. They are knowledge and the key to our success in raising healthy happy furbabies.

If necessary, or if we feel it necessary we take our puppy can go in for an additional check-up(s) before our typical final vet visit when it is examined for the last time and microchipped before going home. If the puppy of any size needs more time, his or her furever home will wait. It’s O.K.

If a puppy is sick and needs attention we keep them until our vet gives us the "Clear." More often than not an occasional bout of diarrhea is the culprit for a delayed departure which some extra time and pumpkin or papaya will solve. There is nothing more important to us than a puppy having a great temperament and excellent health to start his/her new journey. We are dedicated to our puppies fitting well into their new family(ies) aka “The Right Fit.”

Please refer to our code of Ethics below: 
​

 
​We sincerely appreciate any and all questions because it means you care.
Please continue to ask away because it also allows us the opportunity to touch on something we previously have not explored - something new to visit. 
 
References: 
“Runt Definition and Meaning: Collins English Dictionary.” Runt Definition and Meaning | Collins English Dictionary, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/runt. 

Is there such a thing as too many toys?      
The bigger question is how often do you swap them out?  Like anything else, dogs get bored with the same ‘ole same ‘ole.  Keep it interesting by swapping out on the week you wash them.  Variety is nice but do not get crazy with too many choices, so we recommend less than 7 toys out at a time. 
 
What are the safest toys for small dogs?
Crinkle toys, soft toys, the Kong Plush Duck, squeaky toys, Goughnuts Tug Dog Pull Toy,
Hide and Seek toys to name a few. Kong has some of the best rubber toys. A squeaker bulb should be in good working order and very audible.
 
Are there toys that break/damage the teeth?
Thumbnail test:  if you cannot make a thumbnail imprint on the material it may be one to avoid.  Bones, hooves, antlers, tennis balls (fuzz ruins enamel), ice cubes by themselves not in the water, very hard nylon toys, sticks, hard cheese such as Yak chews because it fails the test for softness.  Pig ears are high in fat and can cause stomach problems.  Bully sticks pose choking hazards and while high in protein, dogs with kidney issues should not be given these.  There is a bully stick holder (The Bully Holder/ Bully Grip) available. Knotted rawhide chews should be avoided because the knot presents a choking hazard.  Older Toy dogs have notorious problems with their teeth and tarter.  Damaged teeth because of chewing bones and so forth, is one hazard that can be skipped.  Teeth need cleaning once every 3-4 years.  Check with your veterinarian.
 
Is the toy’s size important?
The size does matter whether you are talking about ring toys or others especially balls.  Balls need to be large enough they cannot be swallowed.
 
How often should you clean toys?
Clean toys about every 2 weeks in the dishwasher or other antibacterial wash.
 
What if your dog's mission is to destroy the toys?
There are toys made for these aggressive chewers such as
Outward Bound FireBiterz., GoDog, Chewy offers a monthly box of ‘Tough Dog Chews’, West Paw toys, Feeko dog toys and others.  As always it should be size appropriate.
 
What about toys for teething? 
‘Durability” seems to be the go-to word for these products, but it does not preclude safety.  Teething is a long period for puppies (34 weeks/almost 8 mos./238 days +/-).  Variety, patience, and recognizing it will slow down one day (except paper products).  My Havanese are older but still need their chew toys.  I really like teething toys with a texture like bumps.  Vary texture and all you can with chew toys for the long haul.   Remember trading out the toys helps prevent boredom.
 
What about Bully Sticks?
Bully sticks and rawhide products (aside from check origin issues) are a difficult subject for me.  Both products can cause digestive problems but have long been go-to products for chewing. One of the bigger concerns is when the product is chewed almost into oblivion and becomes a choking hazard.  There are bully stick holders.  Be sure to look for the odor-free variety.  It requires monitoring.  I used to offer rawhide sticks but no longer buy them because of processing concerns, etc.
 
Things to watch out for:                                       

• Hard nylon bones/toys if they are harder than a dog’s teeth.  Chipping or splintering is a danger with many nylon products
• Small Toys that can be swallowed. Things such as bells, balls, squeaking bulbs are hazardous.
• Bones of any type are not recommended because they can splinter and stick in the throat, intestine, etc, and puncture soft tissue.  They can also damage teeth. 
• Stuffing can be treated with dangerous chemicals - check the seams.  

                                                                             
Can tug-of-war be dangerous?
This is one of our family’s most fun games.  Kiwi is all business with a sock and tug-of-war but it is important not to launch the dog or have the feet leave the ground.  Why?  Well, launching your dog into space speaks for itself as a no-no but your dog’s teeth, shoulders, back, and neck can also be permanently damaged if the game gets out of hand.  Be sure all the players understand the rules.
 
What about rope toys? 
Cotton ropes are naturally safer products than other materials because of swallowing bits and pieces.
¨
What are some Safety Tips?
Watch your dog for a little while with a new toy.
Chemicals. Other safety issues should include if the toy is treated such as some rawhide products.  Flavorings can encourage bacteria growth. BPA.
Well Chewed chews need to be thrown out. Well chewed products disintegrate into smaller pieces than can be swallowing hazards.
Construction.  Some dogs need to be watched if they are determined to destroy a chew, but some chews come apart at the seams easily, break, or tear up too early.
Size matters with any toy.  Be careful of rings or circles since they can present a danger if they are not the right size.
Toys exposed to vastly varying temperatures outdoors deteriorate faster than indoor toys.
Wash the toys about every 2 weeks
If your fingernail cannot leave an imprint on a toy, it is too hard for your puppy’s teeth.
Is there any mention of BPA with your choice of toy?  See Jolly Pets, West Paw Design or Planet Dog.
 
REFERENCES: 
“7 Chew Toys That Can Damage Your Dog's Teeth - Cherry Hill.” Cherry Hill Animal Hospital, 28 Jan. 2020, https://cherryhillanimalhospital.com/chew-toys-can-damage-dogs-teeth/.


Arnold, Brandy. “Are Your Dog's Toys Poisoning Him?” The Dogington Post, 30 Mar. 2022, https://www.dogingtonpost.com/are-your-dogs-toys-poisoning-him/.


Ashley, Sarah. “The Best Chew Toys for Dogs That Are Safe and Vet-Approved.” PureWow, PureWow, 12 July 2019, https://www.purewow.com/family/dog-chew-toys-safe-vet-approved.


Cathy Madson, MA. “The Best Dog Chews and Toys.” Preventive Vet, 18 Aug. 2021, https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/best-dog-chews-and-toys.


Turner, Dr. Beth. “Potential Dangers of Popular Dog Chews.” Preventive Vet, 18 Aug. 2021, https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/potential-dangers-of-popular-dog-chews. 

Starting: 
You need a grooming table and an overhead arm if you do not have one. Grooming overhead arms come in two lengths so be sure to get the one that fits your grooming table. Lay the hammock on the table and help your dog step into the hammock, then gather the loops up and hook them onto the overhead arm. Viola! You are ready to begin!