Four Weeks Old
Looking Back
This past week has been full of new experiences for Ellie’s puppies. They have progressed so much in that short period of time.
Over the past seven days, the puppies’ milk teeth have erupted, their awake time has increased, their hind leg have become stronger and they are much steadier on their feet. Although the puppies still sleep much of the day, when they are awake they love socializing with their littermates through play.
GOOD-BYE
to the warm quiet space that the puppies have occupied since birth.
HELLO
to the main floor, many noises of a busy household and many life lessons.
moving to main floor
On Friday the puppies made the big move. We packed them into a laundry basket and brought them to the main floor. They were very vocal and tried to climb out of the basket on the way down.
Once there, I gave the puppies the challenge of trying to get to their mama. A few puppies climbed out and I helped the rest out of the basket. Ellie reassured her babies and fed them.
The puppy area has the Whelping Box in the centre, the potty box on one side and Ellie’s elevated bed on the other.
The puppies will only have access to the Whelping Box where they play and sleep and Potty Box that they will learn to move to to void.
Potty Training Begins
The puppies are now able to void without the help of their mother, so it is important to begin potty training. Because puppies have a natural instinct to move away from their sleeping area when they need to go, I want the puppies to begin learning “where to go” before they start on solids.
For the first few days after the puppy move to the main floor, I spend my time moving the puppies to the potty area when they wake and after they eat. It is important that puppies start learning that they cannot “go” anywhere. So, we teach them “there is an acceptable place to go potty”. Teaching them this at a young age will prevent them from developing bad habits that later need to be broken. This effort on our part will benefit forever families by making housebreaking easier for them when they go to their forever homes.
The Potty Area is just outside the entrance to the whelping box. We use a plastic litter box filled with pine pellets.When the puppies were sleeping I walked by the whelping box and discovered that two puppies went to sleep in the potty box. 😂Lots of work to do before they start to “get it”.
Discover New Things
This week the puppies had playtime outside their whelping box. This exercise will help develop strong muscles. Soon they will be running around.
Puppy Party – On Thursday my Grandchildren played with the puppies. This was great socialization for the puppies to interact with young children.
Play Time – Sunday the puppies explored the new area, toys and they experienced walking on a different floor surface.
The puppies love people. Whenever we sit in their whelping box, it doesn’t take long before we have a lap full of puppies who shower me with kisses.
Weaning is beginning
Time for solids
Ellie is starting to nurse her puppies in the “Standing Position” This is the sign that she is ready to start weaning them. The puppies are ready to start eating solids.
Lots to experience
LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK FIVE
- Puppies will start eating solids
- Puppies will continue learning to use potty area
- Awake time will increase
- The puppies will continue to socialize with each other through play
- Balance will continue to improve and puppies will begin to run
- Enlarging the puppy area
- Crate introduction
- Mama will now add the invaluable teaching phase to her caring & protecting responsibilities over the next weeks.
