Litter Tags for puppies?

We used tiny thin satin ribbon around the necks of the pups. Each one a different color. There was no concern for it being caught on anything because they really aren't mobile enough or nothing to get caught up on in the whelping pen. It worked very well and once they are around for a few weeks you get to know each one off the bat without it. Congrats on the new puppies. It's so exciting.

ADD: A benefit to it is it gets them used to having something around their necks and more apt to adjust to a collar without issue.

You can buy litter kits which include a special non-toxic paint or pen used for marking puppy's coats. Each gets a different mark which you then use to chart. You can also buy non-toxic doggie nail polish and mark their claws with it. Alternatively, you can scissor little bits out of their coats in a certain place or pattern on each. Those are the most common methods I've known used.

Some people advocate tying loose yarn around puppies' necks or making/buying paper collars. The former isn't always advised because of the strangulation risk, and just about every breeder I know says that paper collars simply don't stay on intact for more than a few minutes.

I have seen many different ways so I'll just list them:

Colored ribbon on the neck, or yarn, or rickrack

A dot of puffy paint behind the neck (where the pup can't touch it...it will need to be reapplied every 1-2 weeks)

Drawing a colored line on the tail (washable marker, will need to be reapplied) (if the fur color is light)

You can buy velcro litter id collars: http://www.dog.com/item/litterbands-id-bands--8-pa...

We have used the ribbon.. rick rack works best and you have to constantly keep it changed as they grow. so make sure to have enough of each color.

I would recommend a back up method though just in case. And as they get older you can switch to something else.

If your dog is small you can use ponytail holder for first week.

my friend raises dogs and she uses embroidery thread. she ties a different color thread around the neck of each puppy as it is born.