How do I mark my selected puppy?

Question

My neighbor's dog had puppies about 4 weeks ago. She has allowed me to select my puppy first. How do I mark him? I've tried putting a small collar on him, but the other ones just pull it off. I also tried painting a nail, but he is a really fuzzy lab with black nails so it doesn't stay on either. What is something that will last for another 2 weeks?
Thanks for all your help.

Okay, thanks for the great ideas. But now I just have more questions. So on Christmas he will be 7 1/2 weeks but I wanted to get him a few days before. And I know I should wait a few more weeks until I pick one, but I go over there every day and I've had my eye on one, and now other people are coming to pick ones out. So that is why I am picking so soon. And what is wrong with the mom being with them? Shouild I take my puppy sooner , at 6 weeks, if the mom is with them all day? Will that affect the socialization of the puppy with my current dogs? And just for reassurance, yes, I plan on keeping this dog until it dies (is old and gray)...this is a big commitment and I know that. I treat my current dogs like my own kids...they are spoiled, but disciplined. Thanks again for everyone's help.

Oh, and the puppy is 5 weeks today. Born on Halloween. Sorry for the day confusion.

Answer 1

Take a Permanant Marker and put a TINY dot or X in the puppies ear, try to keep it as close to the outside of the ear as you can. Remember, make it small, but not to small, it will eventually fade away. CONGRATS!

Answer 2

KJ is right, splitting the litter up at 6 weeks is a poor idea. But,,, they should only be spending time with their litter mates, not their mother. This will pay MAJOR dividends in socialization. 49 days (seven weeks) is the minimum that a litter should be kept together. (70 days, ten weeks is the maximum)
Picking a pup at 4 weeks really isn't a good idea, to much will change in the next few weeks. I would hold off making a pick for a little while yet. Nail polish on the inside of an ear seems to last the longest for a marker, but still needs to be redone every few days.

Answer 3

The above answer works. Also a dot of fingernail polish on the top of the head--you just have to hold the puppy until it dries. I've also snipped off the hair on the very end of the tail which gives it a different look and will last. Since the puppies live next door, I would check on them frequently. Who knows, maybe you'll want a different puppy when the time comes. Take good care of your new dog.

Answer 4

Try a smaller collar, like kitty size instead of a dog collar. For nail polish, but something that is super fast drying instead. Only put a tiny little dot that's very thin so it will dry as quick as possible.

Answer 5

I've been around my mother who breeds Dobermans for a living. You should definitely wait until the puppy is 7 weeks. It hasn't been weened from mom's milk. If you also want to make sure that no one takes the one you picked out, shave a small patch of fur off of one leg.

Answer 6

I assume you are going to keep this dog until it's old and grey so take the puppy to the vet and have it marked with a chip or an ear tattoo. That way if it's lost people will know it's your. A mark on it anywhere won't do any good if it gets away and is lost.

Answer 7

Use a bit of bright red finger nail polish on the tip of his tail. It wont hurt him at all and it should stay around for awhile as it will soak into the hair.

Answer 8

I have used livestock marking pencil's here and more recently I have used Hospital ID bracelet's to mark pups used as a collar.

Answer 9

You actually should be waiting another FOUR weeks. Six weeks is too young to pull from mama.

Buy a more expensive nail polish.

Answer 10

We had several all white lab mixes that had parvo and we marked them with a marker on their forhead. It did take a while for it all to come off but you can mark yours.