Hi all, this is my first post and was just wondering if any one had any thoughts on tattooing puppies. I had a litter last year and decided that I would get them tattooed, I liked the thought of visible identfication over the micro chip. So at six weeks all my bouncy babies had their tattoo, the problem was after that they were no longer bouncy babies but just huddled up in the corner and ran away when anyone went near them, I had gone to great lenths to get them socialised with as many people as poss and to get used to every day noises this was a big step back. by the time thay were ready to leave home they were alot better but still nervouse of strangers untill they got used to them, but before the tattoo they just loved everyone, stranger or not. I think that tattoos are better but am wary of having it done again, any thoughts would be much appreciated, thanx

My last two litters were all tattooed (their mother was tattooed at the same time as the first litter, and sat still, wagging her tail throughout) and as soon as each pup was put on the floor again after being done it was back to playing with the rest of the litter, and were perfectly happy to play with the tattooist afterwards. I'd have no qualms about doing it again.
:)

What age did you have your pups done, JG?   Might it have been the timing that was out, Labs?   I'm not sure whether to go down the micro-chipping or tattooing route for our litter (IF & WHEN L comes into season ;) ) - I've not had any probs with micro chips, but have heard stories of travelling chips, so I want to explore all possibilities in good time.

Margot

They were exactly 7 weeks old, and they were hearing tested 4 days later, which involves a lot of handling of the head and ears, and they were quite happy about it.
:)

Mine were also done at 7 weeks exactly as that is when ears were big enough.  they all go to their new homes shortly after and were just as bold as before.

I have had all my litters tattooed for teh past 10 years and had same experinece as Jean genie.  Also had freinds older dogs, includign border coollies at just under a year old doen also no problems.  My next dooor neightbours year old hjack russels would have bitten at the time the tattoo was done, but even they were happy once released and on the floor.

I have always had the pups standing on hind legs wondering what was going on with brother or ssiter, even the ones just done.

I know Border collie and BSD litters done no problems, and these are highly sensitive breeds.

I had my Boxer litter done as pups.
They were all fine and no apparent problems with ears.
Even had their mum done at the same time as them..and she is a big baby when it comes
to ears she was totally fine.
She was taken for a walk whilst pups were done.

Thanx for all your replys maybe I will try again with the next litter, it just seems so important, i've heard that alot of dogs that get stolen, its the ones with the tats that get found because because the theif doesn't want any visible idenfication, thanx for all your help its good to know that there are so many helpful people in this forum.

I had the same experience as you Labs - my pups were definitely affected by it, and one of the pups in particular ran away when anyone came near for a few days afterwards, having been outgoing and sociable before.  I had my adults done at the same time, and it was obviously very painful by the reaction of my most laid-back bitch.  I have had the same dilemma as like you I like the fact that the tattoo is so visible, but have decided with my current litter not to put them through it, rightly or wrongly.

I was going to get my adults done (even though they are all chipped) but after seeing the puppies done I was worried that the adults would maybe turn on anyone if they went near their ears afterwards, not that it is in their nature to be nasty but any bad experience can turn a dog. I have a while to think about the tats don't even know if my bitch took yet its only been a week!!!!!! might be worrying for nothing!!!!!

I have had an adult done and the tattooist has runa session at training classes to do adults.  some wimp out and squeal, but I had the same when I had one of mine chipped. 

My youngest was chipped as a pup and was none to keen on the Vet at next vet visit.  The Vet beeing bright and freindly soon won ehr over.

I am sure your dogs will have plenty of necessary but unpleasnat expereinces like jabs having blood taken etc over the years.  What I find is important is your reaction.

A bit like when a toddler falls over and wils.  My Dad always used to say look at the hole ypou have made or what have you, thus distractin the tot from it's hurt.

We all know that when pups show fear it is never a good iddea to sympathise.

MY TATTOOIST ALWAYS RUBES THE EARS VIGOROUSLY TO SOOTHE
AND TO GET THE INK IN WELL, also has a bright and freindly attitude, and pups quickly forget especilly if given something to play with or a treat.  After all they inflict much worse on each other regulary while playing, nipping wears and tails, and the victim squeals goes off and forgets about it.

I see what you mean about sympathy, when they were done the tattoist brought a helper to hold the pup as I wasn't allowed, then when the tat was finished I was givern the pup to calm down, now I see this may have been the wrong thing to do, but this is how the tattooist wanted it.

My tattoist knows I am not squeemish so I hold my pups.  the thing they object to most is being held ver firmly :D  I have my hand around their muzzles, so when the calipers are applied they give a stifled grunt. 

The ears are vigorously rubbed and pup helfd loosely and put sown and sent on ti's way with a toy (usually rubbish in this house :D)  Minimum fuss is the key.

Also have Mum well away so that her whining or barking soes not alarm pups as they will take their cue from her. 

Oh and whatever you do DO NOT WASH the pups ears if you want a nice clear result.  Honest people have done this :D  Ask for black ink (most now use it routinely).

I am not squeemish good job really, mind you i wouldn't relish the idea of having it in my ear!!!!! I still think it is the best thing to do as I had my chocolate bitch microchipped about a month ago at home, the chap came round just this morning as he was in the area to check it was still there and it WASN,T!!! he had to do it again so had i waited a few hours before posting i would have answered my own question!! The tattoist used green ink, i definately did not wash it, but i did have to clean up lots of little green poos after they had been washing each other!!!!!

The black ink doesn't seemto get everywhere or stain as much as the green it seems to be more like a mud pack and the excess crubles off rahter than smears everywhere.  Soem of the old tattoists still tend to use green, but teh newer ones use blac as first choice, but I think they can do anumber of colours that woudl show up best on your breed.  If you book the visit well in advance then they can get the colour you ask for in (think I was told, Black, Green and Red).

All the pups were black so maybe green was a better colour in this instance, but we mated her to a fox red male this time and she has yellow in her lines so we might have to use a different colour, I must say that the green shows up very well on my boy I kept and is very clear.

Our boxer male was done at 8 weeks old and ever since hates people touching his ears, he made lots of noise and was pretty distressed bless him.
On saying that, our boy also has a travelling microchip, its currently (and usually) sat near his elbow.

I've seen hundreds of puppies tattooed & none had any after effects, the tattooes for black dogs should be done in black ink & My late BC had bleck skin in his ears & his tattoo was still clear when Ilost him aged 12 1/2 & he was done at 8 weeks

All the puppies I've seen have done gone back to playing after they have been done. This includes all different sorts of breeds from toys to Great Danes

Nothing is more wimpy that GSDs & it seems the bigger they are the more fuss they make(all my GSDs were wimps) Never seen a puppy that had a problem having it's ears touched later on & even adults that have been done are fine aferwards

A friend had to have her dog chipped as she lives half the year abroad & after being chipped he developed a lump on the site(& he's a smooth coated breed)& if this is touched when he is judged he shys award from the judge, luckily most judges only touch the breed to look in the mouth & feel the muscles etc

The only one of mine who's chipped (he was done at about a year old) still backs away when men lean over him. I can only show him under female judges. He's not bothered about having his tattooed ear handled though.

Thankyou every one for all your help I think the long and short of it is, most dogs are fine and there are just a few that aren't, I think that I was unlucky the first time and maybe it didn't help that I was so nervouse about how they would react maybe it rubbed off, anyway I have quite a few weeks to decide as yet, but still thinking its the way to go. Thanx all