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Willow’s Beautiful Babies Turn Four Weeks Old Today

WILLOW’S PUPPIES

4 week old puppy huddle
LOOKING BACK – April 5, 2022 – Four weeks old

Four weeks old already, how the time has flown by! This past week has been another busy one. The puppies moved to the main floor, started on solids, and started on potty training. They have become steadier on their feet as their hind legs strengthen. Puppies are vocalizing more and are beginning to bark, and growl in addition to their perfected whine. Their milk teeth are now in, and the puppies are teething so, we added a couple of toys to their whelping box for them to chew on. The puppies are awake more, spending this time socializing with each other through play. All the puppies enjoy cuddle time……when we go into the whelping box, it doesn’t take long before you have a lap full of puppies!

Potty Training

Wild dog species have an instinct to keeping their den clean so that the smell doesn’t attract predators. A domesticated mama dog also has the same instinct to keep her puppies and puppy area clean. When puppies can start to go potty without the help of their mother, they have a natural instinct to move away from the area where they sleep and eat to go potty.

After puppies are moved to the main floor, we begin potty training. I spend most of my time during the next three days, putting each puppy in the potty area each time they wake and after they eat. This teaches them there is a “place” to go potty.

With previous litters I have used potty pads in the potty area. This year I decided to try something new – a litter box. I have a large container with pine pellets in it. I’m very happy with this decision and pleased at how well it is working out……………..and as a bonus, this method is environmentally friendly as the pine pellets are biodegradable.

Potty Training

Puppy area set-up
Two puppies in potty box

Consistency

These pics show how we have set up our puppy area. Until the puppies get more consistent, it is best not giving the puppies too much room.

Constant Cleaning

The potty area must smell like a potty area and the whelping box must smell clean. If a puppy has an accident in the whelping box, it must be cleaned right away . We replace the Vet Bed liners multiply times a day to keep it fresh and clean. Lots of Laundry!!!

The Goal

The goal is for puppies to sleep and play in their whelping box and move to the potty box on their own, when needed. The puppies are learning quickly but still have some work to do before we can trust them with a larger area.

Watch as our Green Collar Girl decides to use the potty area on her own… …it is truly amazing!

(Note: You can hear my granddaughter crying in the background of the video. The puppies will definitely be accustomed to crying babies! – LOL)
Willow’s puppies turn four weeks old today
LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK FIVE
  • Puppies time spent awake will increase
  • Puppies will continue to socialize with each other through play
  • Puppies balance will continue to improve and they will begin to run
  • Puppies will continue learning to use potty area
  • Mama will now add the invaluable teaching phase to her caring & protecting responsibilities over the next weeks.

ELLIE’S PUPPIES

The Photo Shoot

Taking Ellie’s “Three Week Puppy Portrait” was a difficult task and tested our patience. After lunch, I put our granddaughter down for her nap and proceeded to do our photo shoot. I thought because Ellie’s puppies look so much alike, I would put a flower on their collar (bowtie for our little man) to make it easy to tell who was who. We had just finished attaching the flowers to their collar and were all set up when Ellie came into the room. The puppies could smell her and wouldn’t settle, so even though they had just nursed 45 minutes ago, I gave in and let her feed them. When they finished, Ellie left and we had to reattach a couple flowers that had fallen off, and started again. Trying to get eight puppies in a photo is not an easy task. After more than two hundred pics, we finally had one that we could use. All the puppies weren’t in perfect position, and our little green collar girl was so tired she laid down on her flower but, we had our pic.

The Photo Shoot
Ellie and Brinkley’s puppies Three Week Portrait
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Ellie’s Adorable Puppies Turned Three Weeks Old Today!

Ellie’s Puppies

3 week puppy huddle
LOOKING BACK – April 4, 2022 – THREE WEEKS OLD

Ellie is a wonderful mama. She knows just what to do to take care of her babies. She loves her puppies and still stays to cuddle with them after they have nursed. Their eyes are completely opened, and their ears are now open. Ellie’s puppies are in the “Critical Socialization Period”.

Exercise is important for puppies to build strong bodies but, puppies must also be challenged to build strong minds. Yesterday we gave Ellie’s puppies a little challenge to build their brains! I put them in a basket, and they had to find their way out to their mama. They worked so hard some of their bows were coming undone LOL! Watch to see how each puppy did in the basket challenge – so cute!

Basket Challenge
VIDEO: Watch Ellie’s adorable three week old puppies – Eat, Play, Sleep!
LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK FOUR
  • Puppies will still sleep most of their day as they continue to grow rapidly
  • Puppies will play with each other and begin developing important social skills
  • Puppies hind legs will continue to become stronger as they walk more
  • Hearing will improve 
  • Puppy milk teeth will begin to erupt 
  • Puppies will be moving to the main floor sometime during the week

Willow’s Puppies

Puppies start on solids

We usually start weaning puppies at four weeks of age when we introduce solids. Willow is a mama that has her own mind and didn’t follow my regular schedule that my previous mamas did. She let me know that it was time to wean her puppies by regurgitating her food for her puppies to eat – This is instinct! It helps the mama wean and her milk gradually dry up by reducing her food intake”

We decided that since Willow has already started weaning her puppies, we would introduce solids on Friday. I grind puppy kibble in my blender with water and puppy formula to make a soupy mixture. We will gradually make this mixture thicker as we progress towards dry kibble.

VIDEO: Watch Willows puppies learning to eat solids

It took some of the puppies awhile to eat but, they did a good job eating their “puppy soup” Willow kept a watchful eye behind the gate to watch as her puppies ate. When they were finished eating, I let Willow in, and she ate the remaining food. The puppies finished off their meal with a little of mama’s milk and then went back to their whelping box for a long nap.

VIDEO Willow’s puppies start solids
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So Exciting…..The Puppies Are On The Move!

Willow’s Puppies

Willow’s puppies made the big move from my bedroom to the main floor. It was a busy day caring for puppies and setting up our puppy area. My husband Tom with the help of our two little grandsons laid the vinyl flooring on top of our hardwood. We have used this for previous litters. It not only protects our hardwood, it is easy to clean and, has more traction than the hardwood for puppies just learning to walk. The fencing was then set up and it was time to get the puppies.

We headed up to the bedroom and packed the puppies into a laundry basket. My grandsons kept a watchful eye on the puppies making sure they didn’t climb out while I cleaned the whelping box. It was time to make the big move. Tom took the puppies and I soon followed with their whelping box. Willow didn’t seem too concerned but after everything was in place and the puppies were safely back in their familiar box, she decided to feed them. All was well!

Laying the vinyl floor on top of our hardwood
Packed in basket
Helping Hands
Arrived on the main floor
Settled in to nurse
New Puppy Area

The main floor puppy enclosure is set up in my kitchen. At first, we begin with a smaller area which includes the whelping box and potty area only. The carpeted area in the front is a visiting area used by my grandchildren. They love to play with the puppies which is great socialization for our puppies.

My Granddaughters playing with Willow’s puppies
VIDEO: Moving to the main floor

Ellie’s Puppies

Ellie’s puppies are growing bigger, stronger and, starting to interact with each other, but they still sleep most of the time. The puppies are in the transitional period but, any day now, their ears will open, and they will move to the Critical Socialization period. Ellie continues to be an amazing mama caring. and feeding her puppies. She is still in that protective mama role and doesn’t want our other dogs in her room.

The video below shows sleeping puppies just starting to wake. Watch as the begin to interact with their littermate….every so gently. So precious!

VIDEO: Ellie’s puppies just waking up

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Lots of Puppies To Keep Our Days Busy and Exciting

Ellie’s Puppies – Day 17

Ellie continues to take wonderful care of her babies. and puppies continue to grow. They are now in the Transitional Period. The transitional period begins when the puppy’s eyes open and ends when they first startle upon hearing sounds. The puppies are becoming more aware of their littermates but still sleep most of the time. I took a little video yesterday of them nursing and then Brinkley came into the room for the first time. He is not too comfortable around puppies but, we were able to get a few cute pics. before he turned around and left the room LOL!

Puppies Get Visit From Daddy

Daddy meets his son
Brinkley knows what it’s like to be the only male amongst females. Something our Blue Collar Boy has in common with his daddy – He’s the only boy with 7 female littermates lol

Willow’s Puppies – Day 23

Three Week Old Portrait

It is always a challenge taking puppy portraits – puppies are always moving. It is even more of a challenge taking our litters three-week-old portrait. It is definitely a two-person job! I usually have my daughter help out with this project but she wasn’t available, so my husband Tom gave me a hand. It takes time and patience and lots of pics but, we were successful and got a good one!

Photo Shoot
Willow & Brinkley’s 3 Week Old Portrait
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Three Week Old Beauties

Willow’s Puppies – Three Weeks Old

W&B22-3 week old puppy huddle
Three Week Old Puppy Huddle
LOOKING BACK – March 29, 2022 – Three Weeks Old

Our adorable puppies are now three weeks old and oh how they have grown! This week the puppies have been progressing rapidly. Their eyes are fully opened, and vision is improving. Their ears have opened, and they have now entered the “Critical Socialization Period. The puppies’ hind legs have become much stronger and they have been practicing walking on all fours. They are much more aware of their surroundings and have begun to play with each other. The puppies continue to sleep much of the time as they develop.

Willow ‘s a great first-time mama. She is doing a wonderful job feeding her babies, protecting, and keeping them clean. Willow now spends much of her time away from the whelping box and comes back to check on her puppies throughout the day. Willow insists on cleaning her puppies’ in-between feedings. She goes into the whelping box to clean sleeping puppies. The puppies wake and think it is time to eat. After Willow finishes cleaning, she heads back out and the puppies are left whining their protest. Willow’s puppies are always ready to eat but, now that they are bigger, they are fed with less frequency and their milk intake at each feeding is much greater! Not to worry, the pups are getting more than enough of mama’s milk; they are growing like weeds!

The puppies cuddle with Willow after nursing.
LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK FOUR
  • Puppies will still sleep most of their day as they continue to grow rapidly
  • Puppies will play with each other and begin developing important social skills
  • Puppies hind legs will continue to become stronger as they walk more
  • Hearing will improve
  • Puppy milk teeth will begin to erupt 
  • Puppies will be moving to the main floor sometime during the week

Ellie’s Puppies – Day 15

Ellie’s puppies are becoming more mobile with that cute wobbly puppy walk as they practice walking on all fours. They have also learned to climb. We have found a couple puppies climbing our of the whelping box so, time to add a door panel to out entrance to keep Ellie’s precious babies safe.

Magenta Girl……Going…….
Going……..
Gone!
Watch the puppies walking and listen to them vocalizing
Day 15
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Look At How Adorable Ellie’s Two Week Old Babies Are!

Ellie’s Puppies

LOOKING BACK – March 28, 2022 – two weeks old

Ellie’s puppies are two weeks old today…..Oh how they’ve grown.. We have had a great week! Watching and cuddle puppies are one of my favourite ways to pass time. Puppies have gained strength in their hind legs. Ellie continues to be a loving and devoted mama. They have been gaining weight daily and now we will only weigh them weekly. With all that eating and sleeping they can’t help but grow.!

Friday Ellie’s puppies eyes began to open. Look how adorable they all look with those beautiful eyes . It is one of the most anticipated milestones that I wait for. The puppies seem to come alive!

Magenta Colour Girl
Magenta Girl
Yellow Collar Girl
Purple Collar Girl
Purple Collar Girl
Pink Collar Girl
Pink Collar Girl
Newborn Puppy Huddle
Green Collar Girl
Orange Collar Girl
Orange Collar Girl
Black Collar Girl
Blue Collar Boy
LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK THREE
  • Puppies will enter the “Transitional Period.
  • Eyes will continue to open wider and sight will slowly become clearer 
  • Puppies will still eat and sleep most of their day
  • Puppies will continue growing 
  • Ears will start to open and they will begin to hear
  • Puppies hind legs will become stronger and they will practice walking on all fours
  • Puppies will become more aware of their littermates and start to play
  • Puppies will start to vocalize.

Willow’s Puppies

🐾 Just a short video of Willow’s beautiful babies ! 🐾

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A Little Puppy Love To Brighten Your Saturday

Both litters of puppies are progressing on schedule. We continue to give all our puppies lots of cuddles and interaction every day! Cuddling puppies is one of my favourite things to do! 🐾

This week has been extra busy for us. We had an addition to “Grans’ Daycare”- my 13 month old granddaughter. My daughter-in-law’s maternity leave ended and she when back to work this week. It was an adjustment for all involved – (Mommy, Daddy, Baby, Gran, and Pappa) but, we made it through the week. The puppies were a great help – when my granddaughter was crying, I was able to distract her with puppies.

This was also a great socialization time for our puppies. It is important to socialize the puppies with people of different ages, including babies.

Ellie’s Puppies

Ellie’s puppies’ eyes are beginning to open which is always so exciting! Our yellow collar girl was the first puppy in her litter to open her eyes. Puppies are born with their eyes sealed shut to protect them while they continue to develop. We can see a few more puppies’ eyes are beginning to unseal at the inner corners. Over the next few days, all the puppies will have opened their eyes.

The winner of “The 👀 Eye Opening Contest 👀 – Our Yellow Collar Girl – isn’t she gorgeous with her deep black points (nose and lips) and dark eyes! 💕
Ellie’s Puppies – day 12 – returning, one bye one, to their whelping box

Willow’s Puppies

This morning was nail trimming day. I waited until they had nursed and then went right to the task. The puppies were calmer than I had expected, and each puppy sat on my lap quietly while I trimmed their nails. This proves to me that the ENS ((Early Neurological Stimulation) is very effective. I’m sure Willow will appreciate the trimmed nails – Ouch – they were so sharp!

Willow’s puppies are getting stronger in their hind legs and interacting more. It is cute during the day but, in the middle of the night last night, they wanted a play time. Somehow, they seem louder at night!

Notice the puppies smelling with nose in the air – they can smell me while I am at the entrance of the whelping box. The puppies are starting to sit up, showing off their white patches on their chest. We had to cut our video short because Maui, our eight month old puppy got in the way. She is so interested in these puppies – she just wants to play!
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Love These Puppies – They Are Growing More Adorable By The Day!

Ellie’s Puppies

Ellie’s puppies are doing well and steadily gaining weight. They are in the Neonatal Period and spend all their time eating and sleeping. Ellie fed the puppies and then I removed them from the whelping box. When I returned them, I took a video of them. Some puppies went to sleep as soon as I transferred them…..others took a little while to settle. 🐾

Ten days old puppies still just eat and sleep.

Willow’s Puppies

All Willow’s puppies now have their eyes open, and they look adorable. They cannot see well yet, but their vision will steadily improve. Their ears will soon be opened. Willow’s babies are growing up! She is doing a great job feeding them and the puppies have been steadily gaining weight. We will now weigh them weekly.

Black Collar Boy
Blue Collar Boy
Orange Collar Boy
Red Collar Boy
Magenta Collar Girl
Green Collar Girl
Willow’s Puppies Two Week Singles

The puppies are in the “Transitional Period” which lasts up to seven days. They are transitioning – Leaving Neonatal Period but not yet in the Critical Socialization Period. The puppies’ ears open during this period – the first sign of the puppies startling at sound is when the next period begins.

Willow’s puppies have started to vocalize, are now more aware of their littermates, and have begun to play. They still sleep most of the time but this morning I was able to catch them awake and interacting with each other – too cute! 💕

Listen for puppies vocalizing
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See Our Beautiful Two Week Old Puppies

Willow’s Puppies

2 Week Old Puppy Huddle
LOOKING BACK – March 22, 2022 – Two Weeks Old

Our puppies are already two weeks old. It has been a great week! We have been busy providing ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) which benefits include greater tolerance to stress, greater resistance to disease, faster adrenal system, stronger heart rate and stronger heartbeat. We have had a great time cuddling puppies – early human socialization of puppies produces calmer dispositions.

Friday was an exciting day ….. we saw our first puppy’s eyes begin to open. It was Blue Collar Boy, one of our blue merle boys. We can now see all the puppies eyes beginning to open. Their vision is not well developed just yet but it will steadily improve over the coming weeks.

Willow continues to be a loving and attentive mama and they are gaining weight daily. With all that eating and sleeping they can’t help but grow. The puppies have gained strength in their hind legs and are moving around the whelping box on all fours. Last night after dinner we came back upstairs to discover three mischievous puppies crawling out of the whelping box….time to another door-slot to the entrance.

LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK THREE
  • Puppies will still eat and sleep most of their day
  • Puppies will continue growing 
  • Eyes will continue to open wider and sight will steadily become clearer 
  • Ears will start to open and they will begin to hear (though not well yet)
  • Puppies hind legs will become stronger and they will practice walking on all fours
  • Puppies will become more aware of their litter-mates and begin to interact.

Ellie’s Puppies

Below are a few pics of Ellie’s sweet puppies……..They are growing so quickly!!!!

Sweet dreams!

paw prints
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Mondays Are Always Better With Puppies

Ellie’s Puppies

Wow, Ellie’s puppies are one week old today. Ellie is a wonderful, loving, devoted mother. She loves to care for her babies. The puppies are doing so well, gaining weight daily and when they are not eating, they are sleeping. With all that eating and sleeping, no wonder they are growing so quickly!

ONE WEEK OLD PUPPY HUDDLE
LOOKING BACK – March 21, 2022 – one week old

For the first few weeks of life, a puppy cannot regulate their own body temperature. They need a warm space, their mother and littermates to help keep them warm. Puppies are born with their eyes and ears sealed shut; they cannot see or hear. They have to rely on “smell” and “touch” to find their mother. Puppies are born with a natural instinct to nurse but as the days pass, they have become more proficient at it. The puppies are now experts at nursing; they can smell when Ellie returns to the whelping box. They wake and make a mad crawl to find her and begin their next meal.

Our little Pink-Collar Girl is trying to find a spot to nurse. Notice in the video we had a little visitor – our eight-month-old puppy Maui. All our dogs are so interested in seeing the new arrivals but, even though all the dogs are friends, when puppies are involved mama dogs are protectors and Ellie is no exception – Ellie keeps them at a distance.
Puppies fast asleep – Ellie arrives and the puppies quickly wake for breakfast
LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK TWO
  • Much the same as week one – Eat, Sleep, Repeat!
  • Puppies will continue growing 
  • Puppies still crawl; hind legs will become stronger
  • Eyes should begin to open towards the end the week – so exciting !!!

Willow’s Puppies

Willows’ puppies are becoming more mobile as their hind legs are getting stronger. It is quite a commotion when Willow comes back to the whelping box to check on her babies. They wake up and want to eat. Willow isn’t ready to nurse right away, she must clean her puppies first. When puppies are born, they don’t have the ability to go potty on their own. The mama dog “cleans” them with stimulates them to go. The mama dog “cleans” her puppies before feeding them so that they will eat more. She will even lie on her tummy so the puppies can’t have access. When she is satisfied that puppies are cleaned, she then settles down to fed her babies. I am always amazed at the instinct God has instilled in animals. After the puppies have a full tummy, it is time for a nap.