The Maternal Line Matters: What Every Breeder Should Know about the Biology that Runs Through the Dam
Posted by Paula Vandervoort on 8/7/2026 to
Breeding
Natural Rearing - How many generations does it take to be "official", and does the sire matter?
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Natural Parasite Prevention
Posted by Paula Vandervoort on 7/24/2026 to
Neonatal Care
I recently sent home a thriving litter of seven naturally reared, raw-fed, fourth-generation unvaccinated puppies whose mother had given her all in raising them. We live in the southern United States, where hookworm is endemic in the soil. I
Morning Watch - The Most Dangerous Time for Eclampsia
Posted by Paula Vandervoort on 6/16/2026 to
Safety During Pregnancy and Lactation
The Morning Watch
The Most Dangerous Time of Day for a
Nursing Dam It's six in the morning. You've been up most of the night. The puppies are nursing, she's been lying quietly in the box, and you finally let yourself doze off in the chair. You wake up an hour later and she's not in the box. She's standing in the middle of the room, panting softly, staring at the wall.
When Your Dog's Brain Isn't Working Right, It Might Be Her Calcium
Posted by Paula Vandervoort on 5/18/2026 to
Neonatal Care
When Your Dog's Brain Isn't Working
Right,
It Might Be Her Calcium.
Rabies Nosode Lyssin vs. Rabies Vaccine Tautode
Posted by Paula Vandervoort on 4/8/2026 to
Vaccines
How Homeopaths Decide, and What Pet Parents Should Know
When a dog develops symptoms after a rabies vaccination, pet parents often feel confused, dismissed, or overwhelmed. In the natural-rearing and
Why I Wean Puppies to a Raw, Species Appropriate Diet
Posted by Paula Vandervoort on 4/3/2026 to
Neonatal Care
A breeder’s perspective supported by current microbiome science. For years I’ve listened to claims that puppies — and senior dogs — “don’t have the microbiome” to handle raw food, and therefore must be weaned onto cooked or processed
What Is a Nomograph?
Posted by Paula Vandervoort on 3/11/2026 to
Vaccines
Breeders and rescues carry the enormous responsibility of protecting puppies during the most vulnerable weeks of life. For decades, the only widely promoted method was a repeating vaccine schedule—6, 9, 12, 16 weeks—regardless of the puppy’s
How Homeopathy Truly Supports Your Dog's Health
Posted by Paula Vandervoort on 1/17/2026 to
Safety During Pregnancy and Lactation
Why Dams Resorb Their Puppies: Puppy Reabsorption Causes
Posted by Guest Author: Dr. Meg Howe on 12/12/2025 to
Safety During Pregnancy and Lactation
As both a veterinarian and breeder mentor, I’m often asked:
“WHY DID MY BITCH RESORB HER PUPPIES?” Fetal resorption is more common than most breeders realize. It occurs when an embryo or early fetus dies before the bones have
The 10 Biggest Mistakes I Made as a Dog Breeder
Posted by Paula Vandervoort on 11/25/2025 to
Vaccines
The TEN BIGGEST MISTAKES I made as a dog breeder - kind of in order of importance. I'm giving you information about each mistake underneath it so you might be able to avoid the ones I made that cost me puppies and caused me to have sick
The Hidden Dangers of Deficient Raw Diets for Dogs
Posted by Guest Author Kimberly Gauthier on 7/23/2025 to
Safety During Pregnancy and Lactation
Common Nutrient Gaps and Health Issues They Cause When done right, feeding your dog a raw, homemade diet can be one of the most rewarding ways to support its health. However, even the best intentions can lead to long-term harm when key
Homeopathy For Breeders—The Basics
Posted by Paula F Vandervoort on 6/16/2025 to
Safety During Pregnancy and Lactation
Introduction As a breeder with over five decades of nights lying on a whelping box floor, I have had many situations where I knew I needed medicine to help with labor. But I wasn’t comfortable using pharmaceuticals or even herbs and plant
Spay and Neuter in Dogs Not Intended for Breeding: A Different Perspective
Posted by Paula Vandervoort Updated 3/19/2026 on 5/27/2025 to
Natural and Safe Animal Supports
Spaying
and neutering dogs and cats has become routine in the pet world—but should it
be? This isn’t about early spay and neuter; it’s about whether we should do it
at all.
Homeopathic Remedies for Dogs and Cats after Surgery
Posted by Paula Vandervoort on 5/16/2024 to
Natural and Safe Animal Supports
Many of us breeders, although striving to do things naturally, may face times when surgeries are necessary and warranted. I personally raise a line of Boston Terriers started by our original founder, Dr. Jeannie Thomason. They require C-Sections
Aye to AI: The 'I' doesn't mean 'Intimidating'!
Posted by Paula Vandervoort on 5/4/2024 to
Natural and Safe Animal Supports
Now is the Time to Stop Fearing Artificial Insemination The Dog Breeder Store will make it easy! Over the past 10+ years, The Dog Breeder Store has made DIY projects out of tail docking, dewclaw removal, tube feeding, and other
We have discovered the most amazing potty area for our nursery!
Posted by Paula Vandervoort on 8/26/2023 to
Neonatal Care
Introducing BrilliantPad! Hope you're doing well! Just wanted to drop a quick note about something that could make your life as a breeder or dog parent a whole lot easier – BrilliantPad. As owner of The Dog Breeder Store and a
Fading Puppy Syndrome - a deep dive into causes and treatments
Posted by Paula Vandervoort, Senior Dog Breeder on 6/10/2023 to
Neonatal Care
Fading Puppy Syndrome is not a diagnosis. It is a catch-all phrase that describes neonatal puppies born healthy, but which gradually fade and die of uncontrollable and unknown causes.
Up to about 30% of newborns die within the first two weeks of life. 50% of these deaths occur within the first week and are attributed to Fading Puppy Syndrome. Little research has been done on this subject, but it is a situation known to every breeder eventually. Fading Puppy Syndrome is most common during the first week of life but may occur up until ten weeks.
Immunity Formula and Immunity Blend
Posted by The Dog Breeder Store on 4/12/2021 to
Neonatal Care
Learn to make a DIY puppy formula for extreme immune support
Surgery Go Bag
Posted by The Dog Breeder Store on 10/14/2020 to
Natural and Safe Animal Supports
Surgery Go-Bag Author:
P. Vandervoort Reading time: 4
minutes What is a Surgery Go-Bag? Have this on hand before any surgical procedure. Use before and after to improve anesthesia
recovery and wound healing. Use
DIY Recipes for Pet Accidents
Posted by The Dog Breeder Store and Young Living on 6/1/2020 to
Natural and Safe Animal Supports
As a pet parent, I have spent a great deal of time learning to read product labels. I have learned that dogs have exquisitely sensitive olfactory systems, making them extremely sensitive to damage from harmful chemicals that are contained in so many household products on the market today. In the United States, you will find products that are banned in other more enlightened countries. Many are "greenwashed", a term that means a product appears on the surface to be healthy and natural; but if you flip the container over to read the ingredients, there are toxic ingredients inside. Products like Simple Green Carpet Cleaner, for example, rated "D" for respiratory concern, skin allergies, reproductive and developmental toxicity, and impact on the environment. Who knew?
Here are some simple, natural recipes to clean the most difficult of pet stains. Totally safe, and very effective...
Mastitis - Natural Supports
Posted by The Dog Breeder Store on 5/29/2020 to
Safety During Pregnancy and Lactation
Mastitis Support I have had the privilege of working with a young boxer mom who has several critical issues that need support. I will share what worked beautifully for this sweet girl. We also had three puppies
Worming your dog safely during pregnancy and lactation
Posted by Homeopet on 9/12/2019 to
Safety During Pregnancy and Lactation
Worming your dog during pregnancy and lactation. Safety in young puppies.
Solutions for Anxiety and Stress in Pets - safe during pregnancy, lactation and with puppies
Posted by Homeopet on 9/12/2019 to
Safety During Pregnancy and Lactation
Solutions for Anxiety and Stress in pregnant and lactating moms as well as puppies
Why I don't use KY Jelly for dogs
Posted by The Dog Breeder Store on 8/2/2019 to
Neonatal Care
Many lubricants are not safe for use with dogs. FInd out why!
Frequency Matters
Posted by The Dog Breeder Store on 6/8/2019 to
Animal Communication
Energy frequency is a crucial thing to consider when working with an animal who is injured or not well. Learn why, how to recognize low frequency, and how to raise it to help with the healing process.
