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Have A Look At Our Beautiful Four Week Old Puppies

Ellie’s Puppies

Four week old puppy huddle – or should we say spread.

LOOKING BACK – APRIL 5, 2022 – FOUR WEEKS OLD

Today Ellie’s sweet babies turned four weeks old and oh, how they have grown. As I have said it before, Ellie is a wonderful mama. She loves her babies so much and still will go into the whelping box to nurse and cuddle. This past week has been another busy one. The puppies moved to the main floor, and started on potty training. They have become steadier on their feet as their hind legs strengthen. Puppies are vocalizing more and as you may have heard from our previous post, they have perfected their 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 and spending this time socializing with each other through play. One of my favourite thing to do is go into the whelping box for puppy cuddles. Ellie’s puppies love their cuddles!

POTTY TRAINING

Potty training has started. We have set ups the potty box just outside the whelping box. I am spending my time putting the puppies in the box when they wake or after they nurse. It takes a while for the puppies to get it but well worth the effort when you have puppies going potty in one place!

Puppy four week singles

It is always a challenge to take puppy pictures and today was no exception. During the photo shoot I took over 300 pics. Those beautiful little puppies just wanted to come see me and explore. After seven puppies my patience was wearing thin. I took the last puppy, Yellow Collar Girl out of the whelping box, put her flower on and put her in the basket. She did the usual, walked around and sniffed the basket. I readjusted her in the sitting position – she stayed sitting and looked directly at me while I snapped a few pics. It was that easy! Gold Star for our Yellow Collar Girl – what a good girl!

Black Collar Girl
Blue Collar Boy
Yellow Collar Girl
Purple Collar Girl
Magenta Collar Girl
Orange Collar Girl
Green Collar Girl
Pink Collar Girl
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
  • Puppies will start solids
  • Mama will now add the invaluable teaching phase to her caring & protecting responsibilities over the next weeks.

Willow’s Puppies

Willow’s puppies will turn five weeks tomorrow so, we will post what they are up to then. For now, just a short video of those sweet pups.

Maui loves her nanny job!
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Take A Look At Our New Puppy Play Area

We have been busy the past couple days preparing to move Ellie’s litter to the main floor. We set up two separate areas for each litter in our kitchen breakfast room – AKA The Puppy Room. This will give the puppies a sleep area with their potty box. and a small area for play.

Puppy area is set up in my kitchen breakfast room. Willow’s puppies’ area at the front, and Ellie’s puppies’ area is at the far end.

Willow’s Puppies

The puppies are making good progress with their potty training so, we can give them more room. We have set up a row of crates on one side of their enclosure. Notice that I have covered the crates with blankets, making their crates more den-like. The puppies love to sleep in their crates alone or with a buddy. The potty box is in one corner, water in the other corner and, a small area in the centre to play.

The front entrance of our house has now become the Indoor Play Area. Today Willow’s puppies had their first visit, and they had a blast. The play area includes an activity centre, a tunnel, toys, and of course we must have a potty box in this area too.

Puppies had their first visit to the new play area. Watch for a couple puppies make use of the potty box. Yah, what smart puppies!!!
Puppies have a blast in their new play area. Watch for Maui going in to play with the puppies. She loves the puppies and is learning to be a great nanny.

Ellie’s Puppies

Today Ellie’s puppies made the big move to the main floor. It is always exciting and a little stressful on the mama and her babies. We packed the puppies into a large crate and moved a noisy litter of eight puppies to their new area. Ellie watched closely as we carried her babies and put them back into the whelping box. The puppies continued to make a fuss and didn’t settle until their mama joined them in the whelping box and fed them.

Ellie’s puppies cry for their mama

The puppies will sleep and play in their whelping box and have access to their potty box just outside the entrance. I will leave the fence gate open so Ellie will still be able to come and go as she pleases to care for her puppies. Notice Ellie’s bed next the the whelping box – she can sleep there if she wants. Next for Ellie’s puppies – potty training begins.

Ellie’s puppy area enclosure
The big move to the main floor – Notice our Orange collar girl in the video. All the puppies are tired and want to sleep but she wants to play. Watch as she tries to wake the other puppies up. 😂 I finally put her in the potty box to distract her. She sniffed around a bit and then decided to come back into the whelping box (with a little difficulty) but, finally whet to sleep with the rest of her littermates.
Finally, Orange Collar Girl went to sleep – sweet dreams sweet baby girl 💕
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New Toys for Willow’s Puppies to Play With

Well, I have had at busy day – looking after grandchildren, puppies and trying to get a post out. Throw in technical problems getting your iPhone and computer to communicate. I was a little frustrated but, finally was able to work thing out and get our post out! 😅

Both our litters are growing more adorable each day and getting lots of love and attention. All our puppies love to cuddle on our lap! 🐾

Willow’s Puppies

Four weeks old singles
Blue Collar Boy
Red Collar Boy
Orange Collar Boy
Magenta Collar Girl
Green Collar Girl
Black Collar Boy
The puppies Four Week photo shoot turned out well. — Don’t Willow and Brinkley’s puppies look adorable!!! And look at our Red Collar Boy waving – too cute!

We have been working hard on trying to teach Willow’s puppies to use their potty box. Puppies still need more work but are making progress Yesterday, we added a play area for the puppies to get some exercise. We put in a crate and new toys for puppies to explore and play with. They had lots of fun playing with the toys and their littermates. Some of our puppies even ran back to use the potty box. A few puppies ventured into the crate to play and then fell asleep.

THINGS TO WATCH FOR IN THE VIDEO
Green Collar Girl picking up the Kong tennis ball
Orange Collar Boy’s “soccer kick”
Red Collar Boy “waves”
Black collar boy playing with grey elephant stuffie
Magenta collar girl running back to the potty box
Blue collar boy lounging in the whelping box, showing off his beautiful eyes!

Ellie’s Puppies

A Visit to the Main Floor

Ellie’s puppies are growing and becoming more active. So, today, I decided to take them downstairs to the main floor for a little exercise. Everyone was very excited – my two grandchildren along with Ellie, Ruska, Willow and, Maui followed me down stairs carrying my basket of puppies, After the puppies nursed, I put the big dogs outside and we spent the next while playing with puppies. My three-year-old grandson said to me, “Gran, I just love having the puppies downstairs!” 🥰 I’m sure you can see how much they loved playing with them. Even my one-year-old granddaughter enjoyed herself. They only needed a few reminders to be “gentle” The puppies enjoyed exploring and playing but after a while, the puppies dropped off to sleep one by one. I then took them back upstairs and they went for a proper sleep in their whelping box.

Puppies get lots of socialization today from my 1-year-old and 3-year-old grandchildren

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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!