Maui’s Adorable Four Week Old Puppies

How quickly the weeks go by. It is hard to believe that Maui’s puppies are four weeks old. This week, we have been focusing on potty training. Although they still sleep a lot during the day, when awake, they enjoy socialising with their littermates through play and by climbing onto my lap for cuddles.

Mama’s Milk is best

Maui continues to be an excellent mother caring for her puppies. She has done a wonderful job feeding them….they are very chubby! Maui is still willing to nurse her puppies, so we haven’t started solids yet. Since birth, she nurses them in a lying-down position, but I have seen her feed them standing a couple of times, which suggests she will begin the weaning process.

Those Adorable Faces

We’re a little late with our weekly blog again because of Piper’s Selection Day prep. These pictures were definitely worth the wait. How adorable are those faces!

The Girls

The Boys

Potty training continues

Partway through this past week, we introduced a separate potty area. This provides the puppies with a whelping box for sleeping and playing, and we encourage them to use the potty box when needed. We use pine pellets in the potty box.

A look back at week four

Looking Ahead to Week Five

Moving to the main floor
Introduce Solids
Puppies will continue learning to use the potty area
Awake time will increase
The puppies will continue to socialize with each other through play
Toys will be added to our whelping box for puppies to explore
Intorduce play area
Mama will begin to add the invaluable teaching phase to her caring & protecting responsibilities over the next weeks.

Piper’s Six Week Old Sweethearts

Piper’s sweet puppies are now six weeks old and growing more adorable each day. We’ve had another busy week caring for the puppies and introducing them to many new things. They have grown bigger, and you can see each pup’s unique personality developing. We usually introduce our puppies to the outdoors at five weeks of age, but we’ve experienced very cold weather this past week and weren’t able to let the puppies outside to play until Friday. The puppies love being outdoors and enjoy running and playing together.

New Play Area

This week, the puppies got a new play area. They enjoy the extra space and new toys.

Lots of new toys to explore; a slide, tunnel, wobble disc to name a few. We also have potty boxes and a crate. The puppies explored inside the crate and even took a nap.

Puppy Selection Day

One of the highlights of the eight weeks of raising puppies is Puppy Selection Day. We love meeting the forever families and feeling the excitement as each family meets their new puppy. We had a great day meeting everyone, and I know that each of our puppies has found a loving forever home.

After a busy day visiting many families, the puppies were tired and slept most of the evening.

A look back at week six

LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK SEVEN

As always, puppies will continue to get lots of cuddle time.
Puppies time spent awake will continue to increase
Puppies will begin dry kibble by the end of week seven
We will continue to encourage puppies to use potty area inside and out
Puppies will continue to socialize and learn from each other through play
Puppies will continue exploring and playing together outdoor as weather permits
Puppies will continue learning from their mama and our other adult dogsas she disciplines them and teaches them to behave

Look for the Puppies Six week old pictures this week

February 9, 2026February 9, 2026

Piper’s Puppies Are Already Five Weeks Old

Five weeks old

Piper’s puppies are now five weeks old and have developed from helpless newborn puppies to the “mini dogs” they are today. The puppies are now awake for longer periods and enjoy playing with each other, and their toys, and cuddle time. We can now see their personalities starting to develop.

It is important when raising puppies to socialize them which means introducing them to as many new experiences as possible when they are young. For instance, this week the puppies have been introduced to different sounds, different floor surfaces, new toys, and our other adult dogs.

Puppies Start Solids

The puppies are always excited when they smell the food being prepared.

We start the puppies on a water puppy mush with ground puppy kibble, puppy formula and boiled water. Then we gradually been make the puppy mush thicker.

The puppies have started eating water-soaked kibble. We will guaually reduce the water and soaking time and by seven weeks, they will begin eating dry kibble.

Should I sleep alone or with a buddy?

The puppies still spend much of their time sleeping. This is when they grow and process what they’ve learned while awake. Remember the puppy huddles? Now that they are bigger and can regulate their temperature, some puppies sleep in groups or with a buddy, while others sleep alone. This week, new beds were added to the puppy area. They quickly became a favourite spot to sleep… So comfy!

Potty Training

We have been working hard on training puppies to use the potty box. Some of the puppies are more consistent than others, but all of them are making progress. It’s amazing to see puppies wake up or stop playing and go over to use their potty box.

We have now introduced pine pellets to the Potty Box.

A look back at week five

Looking Ahead to Week Six

Awake time will continue to increase
Introduce New Indoor Play Area
Outdoor exercise will begin and puppies will have daily outdoor play time as weather permits
Continue learning to use potty box
Socialize with each other through play
Puppies will continue learning from their mama and our other adult dogs as they teach them dog manners
As always, puppies will get lots of cuddle time.
Puppies will meet their forever families

February 6, 2026February 6, 2026

Maui’s Puppies Turn Three Weeks Old

Maui’s puppies are now three weeks old and have progressed rapidly this week. With only seven puppies to feed, they are quite chubby. Their eyes have fully opened, and their vision is getting better. Their ears have also opened, and they now respond to sound.

Puppy Culture

This week the puppies were in the Transitional Period. We continued our ENS exercises which cause tiny stresses to benefit our puppies with greater tolerance to stress, greater resistance to disease, faster adrenal system, stronger heart rate and stronger heartbeat. Sunday was Day 16 of the puppies life and the final day for our ENS exercises.

Critical Socialization Period (weeks 3 – 12)

The next period for Piper’s puppies is the Critical Socialization Period. We know that puppies have entered into this period when the react to sounds. We raise our puppies following many of the Puppy Culture protocols. These protocols helps us reach our goal “To Raise Healthy, Calm, Confident, Well-Adjusted Puppies“.

Over the remaining weeks we will be working on new experiences for the puppies by exposing them to as many new experiences as possible in order to raise the best possible companion for their forever families.

Emotional Intelligence

Because Goldendoodles are companion dogs, it is important to teach emotional intelligence from young puppies and start them on a great beginning. With this intention we follow 7 key things that will nurture the emotional intelligence of a puppy.

Communication – giving a puppy his own voice i.e. Communication Trinity: power up clicker, box game, manding and attention/distraction protocols
Emotional stability – the ability to recover easily from fear as well as stress i.e., startle recovery, barrier challenges etc
Habituation – familiarize the puppies with the maximum number of things during their Critical Development Period. In particular, Puppy Parties, sound protocols, household noises as well as meeting different people and dogs.
Enrichment – teach the puppies that novelty and challenges are opportunities for enrichment not things to be feared or avoided. For example, ongoing introduction of new novelty items, activity centre, car ride, outdoors, etc.
Health – physical wellness and motor skills that will allow the puppy to develop in a neurologically and physically sound way . For instance, daily weight checks, grooming, proper nutrition, fecal checks, and deworming, if necessary, vet health checks and vaccinations)
Skills – learned behaviors which teach the puppy to function in human society i.e. recall, manding, simple commands, potty box training, crate introduction, resource guarding, bite inhibition etc.
Love – teach puppies to seek out the company of both dogs and humans as emotionally positive experiences: i.e., Daily cuddles with humans and puppy’s mom.
Shaping emotional responses: happy and calm CER (Conditioned Emotional Responses). For instance, treats and encouragement during puppy training.

Potty Training Begins

Now that the puppies can void on their own, they naturally move away from their sleep area to go potty. To encourage the puppies to “go in one spot,” we have divided the whelping box into a sleep/play area and a potty area, adding bolster beds and potty pads.

Daily Cleaning

Raising puppies involves daily chores, including cleaning. We clean and disinfect the whelping box and replace it with fresh vet bedding each day.

While cleaning the puppies’ whelping box, I placed them in a laundry basket. They have started to climb out, so on Thursday I put a quilt on the ground and let the puppies explore while I cleaned their whelping box. I thought Maui would lie down on the quilt and feed them, but to my surprise, she went into her crate and her puppies followed.

Maui’s Three Week Old Puppies

Looking Back at Week Three

Looking Ahead to Week Four

Puppies will still sleep much of the day/night as they continue to grow rapidly
Interact with littermates through play which will help develop important social skills
Whelping box will expand with the introduction of litter box
Becoming steadier on their feet
Practicing walking on all fours strengthens their hind legs
Hearing will improve
Puppy milk teeth will erupt
Puppies will be moving to the main floor towards the end of the week

February 1, 2026February 1, 2026

Four Weeks Old Today, How Time Flies

It’s hard to believe that Piper’s puppies are already four weeks old. They’ve come so far in such a short time.

A lot has happened this past week! Learning to lap puppy formula, moving to the main floor, the puppies’ milk teeth have erupted, their hind legs have become stronger, and their awake time has gradually increased. When awake, they love socializing with their littermates through play. The puppies still sleep a lot during the day.

Starting to Wean

Piper is weaning her puppies and feed them in the standing position.

The puppies have started on puppy formula this week. They learned to lap up the liquid.

Time to Begin Potty Training

This week, the puppies have been using potty pads in their whelping box. On Thursday, we moved them to the main floor and expanded their whelping area with the potty box extension. Puppies need to learn that they cannot “go” anywhere. We teach them that “there is an acceptable place to go potty.” Teaching them this early helps prevent the development of bad habits that might be difficult to break later. This effort will benefit their forever families by making housebreaking easier when they go to their new homes.

We moved the puppies downstairs and started them in their potty box. They sniffed around, exploring the new area. I sat in their whelping box and encouraged them to come through the little door.

The puppies went to sleep after the big move

A look back at week four

Saturday the puppies explored outside the whelping box and the additiong of some toys

Looking Ahead to Week Five

Puppies will continue learning to use the potty area
Start on puppy food
Awake time will increase as the puppies socialize with each other through play
Introduce new toys
Mama will add the invaluable teaching phase to her caring & protecting responsibilities over the next weeks.

Look for Four week old pictures this week

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

Maui’s Puppies Are Already Two Weeks Old

Two weeks have passed since Maui’s puppies came into the world. They are growing like weeds and getting chunky. Maui is devoted to her babies and is a wonderful mama who cares for their every need.

There is plenty to keep us busy while raising puppies, including ENS, cleaning, weighing, and laundry, just to name a few.

Puppy Culture

We raise our puppies using many of the protocals from the Puppy Culture program.

Neonatal Period: Day 0-14

The first 12 weeks of a puppy’s life are incredibly important. This is an almost magical time when a breeder has the power to change the outcome of a puppy’s life by what we choose to teach them. Consequently, by doing just the right things at just the right time, we can give the puppies the best start possible.

Early Neurological Stimulation

This week we continued our ENS Exercises with the puppies. As we have previously mentioned, ENS begins on day 3 and continues through day 16. Research shows that tiny struggles and stresses in small doses are good for puppies and will help them grow into strong, healthy well-adjusted adults. The benefits include greater tolerance to stress, greater resistance to disease, faster adrenal system, stronger heart rate and stronger heartbeat. This is a gift that a breeder can only give their puppies during the 3 – 16-day window.

Transitional Period @ Two weeks old

Now that the puppies’ eyes have opened, they have entered the Transitional Period. Every puppy is different so “Behavioural Markers” are used to identify the beginning and end of each developmental period. These timelines are simply guidelines. The transitional period (approximately Day 14 – 21) begins when the puppy’s eyes open and ends when they first startle upon hearing sounds.

Milestones

When raising puppies, we watch for Milestones to gauge their progress. This week, Maui’s puppies reached two milestones.

Weigh-In

The puppies’ first milestone this week was doubling their birth weight. Maui’s puppies gained weight quickly, with one puppy doubling its weight by day seven and the others catching up over the following two days. This rapid weight gain is similar to Maui’s previous litter. Great job, Maui!

Eyes Opened

Day 10

Another milestone was reached during the week—eye-opening. On day ten, I was excited to notice five of our puppies had opened their eyes:. Over the next two day, the other two puppies’ eyes opened too

Seeing the puppies look back at me is always exciting—I think they look more “alive”!

Looking for a comfy spot to sleep

Can you hear her?

Maui cleans her babies before feeding them

Looking back at week two

Looking Ahead to Week Three

ENS exercises will continue until day 16
Puppies will continue to eat and sleep most of their day
Sight will become clearer
Ears will open, and they will begin to hear
Puppies will practice walking on all fours, strengthening their hind legs
They will become more aware of their littermates and start to interact
Puppies will start to vocalize

COMING SOON—Look for puppy two week single pics

January 25, 2026January 25, 2026

Look at how adorable Piper’s three week old puppies are

Pipers’ adorable puppies are now three weeks old and have progressed rapidly this week. The puppies have grow bigger with each passing day, their eyes have fully opened, and their vision is improving.The puppies’ ears have also opened and now react to sound.

Piper’s puppies are becoming more aware of their surroundings and have started playing with each other during their brief “awake” periods. During this time, they get quite noisy as they practice vocalizing. However, they still sleep most of the day and night.

Puppy Culture

This week the puppies were in the Transitional Period. We continued our ENS exercises which cause tiny stresses to benefit our puppies with greater tolerance to stress, greater resistance to disease, faster adrenal system, stronger heart rate and stronger heartbeat. Friday was Day 16 of the puppies life and the final day for our ENS exercises.

Critical Socialization Period (weeks 3 – 12)

Emotional Intelligence

Communication – giving a puppy his own voice i.e. Communication Trinity: power up clicker, box game, manding and attention/distraction protocols
Emotional stability – the ability to recover easily from fear as well as stress i.e., startle recovery, barrier challenges etc
Habituation – familiarize the puppies with the maximum number of things during their Critical Development Period. In particular, Puppy Parties, sound protocols, household noises as well as meeting different people and dogs.
Enrichment – teach the puppies that novelty and challenges are opportunities for enrichment not things to be feared or avoided. For example, ongoing introduction of new novelty items, activity centre, car ride, outdoors, etc.
Health – physical wellness and motor skills that will allow the puppy to develop in a neurologically and physically sound way . For instance, daily weight checks, grooming, proper nutrition, fecal checks, and deworming, if necessary, vet health checks and vaccinations)
Skills – learned behaviors which teach the puppy to function in human society i.e. recall, manding, simple commands, potty box training, crate introduction, resource guarding, bite inhibition etc.
Love – teach puppies to seek out the company of both dogs and humans as emotionally positive experiences: i.e., Daily cuddles with humans and puppy’s mom.
Shaping emotional responses: happy and calm CER (Conditioned Emotional Responses). For instance, treats and encouragement during puppy training.

Puppy Cuddles

The puppies had a visit this week from some of my grandchildren. I am blessed with fifteen grandchildren who love to cuddle puppies. This interaction is very beneficial for the puppies as they are introduced to people of all ages.

Starting Potty Training

Now that the puppies can void on their own, they have an instinct to move away from their sleep area to go potty. To encourage the puppies to “go in one spot, “ we have divided the whelping box into a sleep/play area and a potty area with the addition of bolster beds and potty pads.
The next step in potty training is to expand the whelping box with the Potty Box Addition. The puppies are not quite ready to climb through the door and into the new section, but they progress quickly and will soon be able to master this.
This is when we begin using litter boxes with pine pellets.

Look at Piper’s Three Week Old Puppies

A Look Back At Week Three

Looking Ahead to Week Four

Puppies will still sleep much of the day/night as they continue to grow rapidly
Interact with littermates through play which will help develop important social skills
Whelping box will expand with the introduction of litter box
Becoming steadier on their feet
Practicing walking on all fours strengthens their hind legs
Hearing will improve
Puppy milk teeth will erupt
Puppies will be moving to the main floor towards the end of the week

January 24, 2026January 24, 2026

Maui’s Darling Puppies Are One Week Old

We’ve had an especially busy week—looking after a two-week-old litter of twelve, Maul’s newborns, and then our daughter’s baby girl (grandbaby #15) decided to make an early arrival. Something had to give, so Maui’s one-week blog is a day late.

Maui’s puppies are already one week old. Both mama and her little ones are doing well and growing rapidly. Maui is a wonderful mama and cares beautifully for her puppies. She spent the first few days in the whelping box and only left for bathroom breaks. After a few days, she began taking longer breaks, but it wasn’t long before she was back in her room to look after her puppies.

Whelping Day

Maui kept us waiting again. Just like her previous litter, Maui’s puppies were born well past the due date. She deliveried on Day 68 of her pregnancy.

As always, whelping day is filled with anticipation and awe. Even though we had two whelps this month, I never tire of the miracle of birth and the instincts God has given animals.

Maui’s labour started on Thursday, January 15th, late in the afternoon. Throughout the night, I didn’t sleep well because I could hear Maui moving around the bedroom and being restless. Morning arrived, but no puppies yet. I kept Maui quite in our bedroom so that she could rest before her puppies finally made their arrival.

I went into the whelping box with Maui just after 11 am when it was clear her time was about to begin. Maui’s first puppy arrived at 11:12 am., a beautiful black male.

Maui settled into caring for her new arrival as her labour continued. Over the next few hours, Maui delivered seven beautiful puppies – five boys and two girls. Well done, Maui.

A look back at whelping day

Settling into a Routine

Mothers Pudding

Our mamas have a big job looking after their newborns. We pamper the mothers so they can give the best care to their little ones. One thing that all our mothers love is “Mother’s Pudding.” It has lots of calcium and ingredients to help them regain their strength. Maui didn’t want to leave her puppies, so we fed her right in the whelping box next to her puppies.

Neonatal Period

Newborn puppies are in the Neonatal Period. During this stage, they spend their days eating and sleeping. Sleep, eat, and more sleep. Did you know that newborn puppies sleep over 22 hours a day.

Daily Weigh-In

Each day, we weigh each puppy to monitor their growth. If a puppy doesn’t gain weight, it indicates something might be wrong. We’re pleased that Maui’s puppies are all gaining weight quickly.

ENS

On Monday, day three we began our ENS exercises. These exercises are done daily from day 3 – day 16. Through ENS, we introduce little stresses to the puppies which has been proven to produce calmer puppies. It also produces greater tolerance to stress, greater disease resistance, a faster adrenal system, a stronger heart rate and stronger heartbeats.

Socialization

We handle our puppies from birth for daily cuddles in addition to ENS. This is to make them comfortable with the human touch early in their life.

Looking Back at Week One

LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK TWO

Much the same as week one – Eat, Sleep, Repeat!
Puppies will continue growing rapidly
Puppies still crawl; hind legs will become stronger
Contunie ENS
Eyes should begin to open towards the end of the week – so exciting !!!

January 18, 2026January 18, 2026

Wow, Piper’s puppies turn two weeks old already

Two Weeks Old Today

Our puppies are now two weeks old and progressing very well. We have had another busy week caring for Piper and her puppies. There is plenty to keep us busy while raising puppies, including ENS, cleaning, weighing, and laundry, just to name a few.

MILESTONES

During the first two weeks of a puppy’s life, it is important to watch for milestones to confirm they are doing well.

Doubling Birthweight

Piper has done an incredible job feeding her puppies. With a large litter, they sometimes need a bit more time to reach this milestone. However, no extra time was needed because all of Piper’s puppies doubled their birth weight, and then some.

The puppies are doing well at their daily weigh-in

Puppies Eyes Open

In addition to the weight milestone, we were excited to see that two of Piper’s puppies reached another milestone on Wednesday, day 10. Yellow and Fluorescent Green Girl were the first puppies to open their eyes. It is always so exciting when I see the puppies looking back at me!

All the puppies eyes have opened except our little man. Blue boy has one eye open and the other partially opened. We will take their two week puppy singles in the next day or so.

Yellow and Florescent Green Girl were the first puppies to open their eyes.