Ellie’s Puppies Turn Two Weeks Old
LOOKING BACK
Another week has passed, and Ellie’s puppies are now two weeks old. We have had a busy week caring for Ellie and her puppies! Lots to do: ENS, cleaning, weighing, collar checks to name a few. But my favourite is puppies cuddles. Ellie continues to be a loving and attentive mama. She is protective and loves to care for her babies!.
My family have been over for puppy visits and cuddles this week. The puppies are getting accustomed to different people holding them
Milestones Reached
This week, Ellie’s puppies reached a couple milestones.
Weigh-in
The first milestone reached this week was Doubling Their Birthweight. Large breed puppies usually double their birthweight between day 10 and day 14. Ellie’s reached this milestone early. Four of the puppies doubled on day eight and the other two puppies followed the next day, doubling their birthweight on day nine. With only six babies for Ellie to feed, the puppies get an abundance of milk. They are getting quite chubby.
Eyes Opened
Another milestone was reach later in the week – Eyes Opening. Puppy’s eyes open between day 10 and day 14. I look forward to this milestone from whelping day. When I got up in the morning on day 10, I started checking the puppies every few hours to see if I could see any sign that their eyes were starting to open but to my disappointment, nothing seemed to be happening. Then came Day 12 – on Saturday I could see the puppies’ eyes beginning to open. It starts in the corners of their eyes and gradually unseals over many hours. It is always so exciting to see the puppies look back at me – I think they look more “alive”!
Puppy Twitches
Puppy Twitches are a sign of a healthy puppy. Watch the video of Purple Collar Girl sleeping and notice the “Puppy Twitches”
Look At Those Beautiful Eyes
The video below shows each puppy. Look at the beautiful eyes. Five of our puppies’ eyes have opened. We are still waiting to see Purple Collar Girls beautiful eyes. They should open soon.
Puppies Getting Stronger & Becoming More Mobile
The puppies have gained strength in the hind legs and are becoming more mobile. They are moving faster and a few of the puppies have started to climb out of their whelping box. So, we have added a door panel to our whelping box entrance to keep the puppies safely contained inside their box.
Transitional Period
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. By doing just the right things at just the right time, we can give your puppy the best start possible.
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 begins when the puppy’s eyes open and ends when they first startle upon hearing sounds.
LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK THREE
- ENS exercises will continue until day 16
- Puppies will continue to eat and sleep most of their day
- Puppies will continue growing
- Sight will slowly improve
- Puppies’ ears will open and they will begin to hear.
- Puppies will practice walking on all fours, strengthening their hind legs
- Puppies will become more aware and start to interact with their litter-mates
- Puppies will start to vocalize
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Introducing Ellie and Brinkley’s Retirement Litter
Introducing Ellie and Brinkley’s Retirement Litter
D.O.B. Monday, May 15th, 2023
The Boys
The Girls
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Surprise, An Early Arrival
Ellie surprised us with a early whelp
Due Date Window
A dogs due date is an approximate date. When calculating a dogs due date , we count 63 days after mating. A dog can safely give birth between 58 and 65 days from mating. Ellie Surprised us yesterday by going into labor early on day 59.
Labor Begins
Ellie went into labor early in the morning. By noon we knew the time was close and took her to the whelping box, wrapped her tail and waited with her for the first puppy to arrive
Adorable newborn faces
Ellie delivered her first puppy at 1:05 pm and the last puppy at 3:12 pm. The total whelping time was just over two hours. Ellie had six puppies in her litter – 4 boys, and 2 girls.
Ellie looks very tired after a job well done. It is a hard job whelping and Ellie will spend the next few days sleeping and caring for her babies.
Ellie & Brinkleys 2023 litter
May 15, 2023
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Echo’s Puppies Have Gone To Their Forever Homes
Today our last puppy left us and our house is quiet house again but, not for long. Ellie’s puppies are expected in a weeks time. I don’t have time to spend missing our puppies because I have to concentrate on preparations for raising another litter.
Echo was a great mama and did a wonderful job raising her litter. She is now back at home with her guardian family.
Puppy Pick-up days are always busy. Our puppies are bathed, brushed and blow-dried, nails trimmed, ears cleaned and then time to take the adorable Go-Home Picture. As always, some puppies are easier than others to capture their pic but they all look adorable with their fluffy coats and little bandana.
Echo’s Puppies Go-Home Pictures
Saying Good-Bye
It is always a bittersweet time when our puppies leave me and head to their forever families. I love to share the excitement of their forever families but, it is with tears I say goodbye. I have loved and cared for them for the first eight weeks of their lives. I have watched them grow, experience new things, and learn so much. It is now time for their forever families to continue where I left off. The poem below is one I found years ago and it expresses so well how I feel!
I always look forward to hearing how your puppy is doing and seeing pictures of them as they grow. We have set up a litter page of Echo’s litter under the Past Puppy Tab. ! will post updated pictures as we receive them. It is always fun to watch the littermates as they grow!
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Eight Weeks Old Now and Look How They Have Grown
Echo’s sweet babies are now eight weeks old. They have grown from helpless newborns to the adorable, active puppies they are today. The love to play together, chasing each other and go exploring.
Preparing for Puppies Go-Home Day
It is always bittersweet the day before puppies leave. You are excited for their forever families and just imagine the joy they will bring but, sad to say good-bye.
There is lots to do to get ready for puppies to leave. Paperwork, pack their puppy bags with some treats. Also the daily chores of caring for the puppies, cleaning, laundry etc. Keeping busy helps keep my mind from thinking of saying good-bye.
PACKING THE PUPPY BAGS
Puppy Adventure – gone wrong!
While I did the preparations for Go-Home day that begins tomorrow, my husband Tom took over the duties of watching the puppies by himself. The puppies were playing in the big yard while he kept an eye on them and every now and then he would practice the “Puppy, Puppy” recall. On one of the recalls when the puppies came to him, he noticed he was four puppies short. So he put all the puppies in the puppy enclosure on the deck and began looking for the four missing puppies.
Tom discovered that the missing puppies had gone under the deck and didn’t know how to get out. They had gone in a hole under the stairs and continued to explore under our deck.
We can thank Echo for the hole under the stairs. We noticed Echo digging a few days ago. When we noticed this Tom said “I had better fill that in”. Which he didn’t do it soon enough. The puppies found their way in.
Tom to the Rescue
I came out to try to keep the puppies calm. They were scared and whining loudly. Tom went in to gather some tools and returned to remove a board and rescue the puppies.
Not to worry, all four puppies made it out safe and sound but very dirty. Just for the record, all the lost puppies were girls – Pink, Yellow, Red, and Purple Collar.
It is never a dull moment around here. Taking care of a litter of puppies is a full time job!
After the puppy rescue, Tom went to work right away and refilled the hole LOL!
Crate Training
The puppies have started crate training this week. Some puppies love their crate while others love to protest. This is something that the forever families will continue to work on at home.
After our ordeal today we fed the puppies their lunch and put them in their crates for a nap. I forgot to cover some of the crates which I quickly corrected. Covering the crate with a blanket makes it feel like a cozy den. The puppy should think of their crate as their safe place.
I gave them a piece of a biscuit for a treat to help them settle. Some puppies ate their biscuit and went right to sleep. A few puppies complained loudly but soon settled and went to sleep too.
When we put the puppies in their crate I give them half a biscuit for a treat. Sometimes this helps distract them and think of their crate as something good.
LOOKING AHEAD
The puppies are leaving this week for their forever homes. You have a lot of work ahead of you correcting, training and caring for your new puppy but be patient, they are still learning. The time and work you put in to training your puppy pays off when you have a loving well behaved dog that will love you as only a dog can – unconditionally. You will be the most important person in the world to them.
It’s is always bittersweet saying goodbye to our puppies. I have enjoyed every minute of their care and they have a piece of my heart. It is with sadness I say goodbye to my puppies, but it brings me joy to see the excited families smiles and to know that our puppies are joining such wonderful, loving, forever families.
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An Exciting Day As Puppies Run in the Big Yard
Puppies Run in the Big Yard
The puppies have had another new and exciting experience. They got to go and explore the big yard. This is always a highlight for us as we watch the puppies experience this freedom. It never takes long before they are running around, chasing each other, and stopping to smell so many new things.
Teaching Puppies to Submit
When the puppies move to the big yard for exercise this give their mama Echo the opportunity of teaching her puppies in a bigger area. Of course Maui the nanny wants to give Echo a hand. They are teaching the puppies dog manners; to listen and submit. When the puppy submits, they lay on the back in the submit position.
I took a little video of Maui making one of the puppies submit.
Practicing Puppy Recall
While the puppies are playing and exploring, I will call them with the “Puppy Call”. This is how we beginning teaching recall.
When is was time to head back home, I called the puppies. You can see in the video the progress they are making. Such smart puppies!
Crate Trainning
Pictured above is our new set up. We have set up the crates and are beginning crate training. The puppies have been exposed to the open crate since we removed their whelping box from the puppy area. They have been able to come and go as they pleased. Sometimes the puppies go to the crate to sleep by themselves or with a buddy. Now they will be sleeping by themselves with the door closed.
I have covered the crates with blankets to make it like a den, but they can still see the puppy that will be sleeping in the crate beside them.
The first part of crate training, the puppies take a nap in the crate with the door closed. Next part, just before the puppies start to head home, they will sleep all night in their crate with the door closed. This can only be done just before the puppies turn eight weeks and can “hold it” for a longer time between potty breaks.
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Echo’s Sweet Six Week Old Puppies Love To Play
LOOKING BACK
Echo’s sweet puppies are six weeks old today. Although the puppies are now awake more they still sleep much of the day.
We have had a great week caring for the puppies and introducing them to so many new things . They have grown bigger and we can see each unique personality developing. The puppies have now progressed to eating softened kibble.
This past week we have had “Summer Weather” with temperatures in the high 20’s. The puppies have spent their days outside on the deck exploring, playing, eating their meals, and of course getting lots of sleep.
Outdoor Play
Exercise is important for puppies to build strong bodies but, puppies must also be challenged to build strong minds. One of the ways this is accomplished by regularly introducing new toys.
On Saturday I was making puppy blankets by cutting up bolts of material. The material had an edging that had to be cut off. Instead of throwing out the offcuts I had an idea. I decided to make braided ropes from the offcuts. It was a great idea because not only did the puppies get a new toy which they love, it was FREE!
Water Play
Goldendoodles love the water! It is important to introduce water to them slowly so that they are not scared. Puppies need to explore water on their own. So, because of our unseasonably hot weather this past week I decided it would be the perfect time to introduce water to the puppies.
I used a boot tray filled with water. Because it is only two inches deep, it makes the perfect container for a little puppy pool.
Potty Training Continues
With the introduction of outside play, it is more of a challenge to teach the puppies to “go” in one spot which is the potty box. This is because when a puppy has access to a large area, they more away to “go” but not necessarily in the box. I have been correcting the puppies by taking them to the potty box. Some puppies are better than others but they are all making progress. Watch as Pink Collar Girl goes to the potty box all by herself!👏
A Look Back at the Past Week
The puppies love their outdoor play time. They are learning what is acceptable play when wrestling with each other. If they bite the other puppy too hard, the puppy gives a sharp high pitch yelp to let the other puppy know “that hurts!” If the puppy continues to play too rough, other puppies won’t want to play with them.
Things to watch for in the video
- Puppies playing in the tunnel
- Puppies wrestle with each other
- Puppies learn that Maui doesn’t have any milk 😂
LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK SEVEN
- Puppies time spent awake will continue to increase
- We will continue to encourage puppies to use potty area
- Socializing and learn from each other through play
- Learning to submit
- Meeting their forever families on Saturday
- Will begin transitioning to dry kibble
- As always, puppies will continue to get lots of cuddle time
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A Look At Our Beautiful Four Week Pups’ Singles
Puppy Photo Shoot
When we have puppies to raise our days are very busy. There are so many thing to do such as feeding, potty training, cleaning the puppy area, and laundry to mention a few, it’s a full time job. And let’s not forget cuddling Echo’s sweet babies! So, adding an extra task to my day can be stressful.
On Tuesday, which was one day late, I added the task of The Four Week Old Puppy Photo Shoot to my day. Because puppies are always curious and want to explore. this is always a daunting time for me and can be very stressful. The reason is because four week old puppy never want to stay still and look 👀 at the camera! Can you believe they haven’t learned the command STAY yet -LOL!!
But on Tuesday I was pleasantly surprised! As most of the puppies were very co-operative I was amazed at how quickly my photo shoot went! We were able to capture those adorable faces with minimal stress. After the photo shoot was complete I felt so satisfied with the amazing results!!!
It wasn’t until I had finished and was looking over the photos trying to choose the best pics that I realized I forgotten something. It was the cute coloured collars that I prepared for the photo shoot which had flowers for the girls and bow ties for the boys . Oh well, the puppy pics without their collars would have to do because I definitely was not going to do it again 😂
The Girls
The Boys
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Echo’s Beautiful Puppies Turn Four Weeks Old
LOOKING BACK
It is hard to believe that our puppies are already four weeks old! They have progressed so much in that short period of time.
A lot has happened this past week! The puppies’ milk teeth have erupted, their hind leg have become stronger, and their awake time has increased. Although the puppies still sleep much of the day, when they are awake they love socializing with their littermates through play.
Puppies Move To The Main Floor
Our puppies are on the move
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.
Thursday was a big day for our puppies because they left their warm quiet room where they have been since birth and moved to the main floor. We packed them up in a basket and moved the whelping box and puppies to the main floor. In the beginning, the puppies space will be limited to the whelping box with potty area only. Notice Echo’s bed next to the whelping box where she can keep an eye on her babies. The elevated bed helps her jump in and out of the box to care for her puppies as she pleases.
Time to Begin Potty Training
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 plastic litter boxes filled with pine pellets. Even though it has only been a few day and we still have lots of work ahead, I am pleased with the puppies’ progress so far.
Puppies Learn To Lap Milk
With a large litter of eleven puppies Echo has done an amazing job feeding her babies. Because only eight puppies can eat at once we have been rotating puppies. This past week the three puppies would protest while they were waiting which in turn would make Echo concerned. So, I decided to supplement the puppies with puppy formula which would keep the waiting puppies quiet, and Echo relaxed. On Thursday, in addition to their mama’s milk all the puppies had puppy formula. The puppies did a great job lapping up the milk.
Weaning Puppies
Echo is starting to wean her puppies. I always know that our mama’s are ready to wean when they start to feed their babies in the “standing position”.
On Saturday we began feeding the puppies solids. I prepared puppy mush by mix ground kibble, puppy formula and water. At first it is very liquidity making it easy for the puppies to lap up. I will gradually thicken the mush working toward softened kibble by week six and then by seven weeks of age the puppies will have transitioned to dry kibble.
Grooming
From day one we handle our puppies often to get them comfortable with human touch. Because Goldendoodles require regular grooming, it is important to me as a breeder to make brushing a positive experience teaching them to enjoy grooming. Brushing you dog regularly not only keeps their fur from matting, but it also removes dirt from their coat.
In addition to brushing the puppies, we also expose them to procedures like nail trims, ear cleaning and touching their mouths in preparation for future teeth brushing. Exposing young puppies to these procedures early will make it easier for their forever families to care for them at home.
LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK FIVE
- 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, giving puppies room to play and explore
- Mama will now add the invaluable teaching phase to her caring & protecting responsibilities over the next weeks.
