One Week Old
LOOKING BACK
Wow, our precious puppies are now one week old. We have had a busy week! For the first few weeks of life, a puppy cannot regulate their own body temperature. We have added an electric heater to our rooms to help keep the temperature at a warm 28 – 29 degrees C. We gradually reduce the temperature as the days pass.
First 72 Hours
Willow and Ellie are great mamas. For the first 24 hours, I had to force them away from their puppies for a potty break. Then they went right back inside to their babies. I even had to feed them inside the whelping box. The next 24 hours, they would willingly leave when I called them to go outside but, still went right back to the whelping box after their short break. After 72 hours, they spent a little time away from their puppies to run the yard for exercise and eat a meal. As the days pass, time away from their puppies will gradually increase. We place an evaluated bed just outside the whelping box for our mamas to rest on. This allows them their own space away from their puppies but they can keep a watchful eye on them.
Neonatal Period
The puppies are in the Neonatal Period which is from day 0 to day 14. During this period, puppies spend their time eating and sleeping. On day 3 we begin ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) which continues through day 16. We preform ENS daily during our weigh-in time. Research shows these tiny struggles and stresses in small doses are good for puppies. Benefits from ENS 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 to 16-day window.
PUPPY TWITCHES – The above videos show sleeping puppies “twitch” This is a sign of a healthy puppy.
Puppy socialization
Puppy socialization starts at birth. We handle our puppies as soon as their mamas feel comfortable and give them all daily cuddles. My grandchildren love to help me cuddle puppies!
Feeding
Before puppies are born, they receive immunity and everything they need to grow from the placenta. After birth newborn puppies do not possess immunity. A mothers first milk called colostrum is a protein-rich, nutritious, balanced, and protective food. The special milk provides passive immunity which can last several weeks and protect them from various infections and diseases. For this reason, the first twelve hours after birth it is vital for the puppies to nurse frequently and build up their passive immunity. (Passive immunity is the short-term immunity which results from the introduction of antibodies from the puppy’s mother. Compare with active immunity – the immunity which results from the production of antibodies by the immune system in response to the presence of an antigen)
Weigh-in
We weight our puppies and keep daily records. In the first 24 hours, it is not uncommon for puppies to loose up to 10% of their birth weight. We were very pleased at our first 24 hour weight-in, all our puppies had gained weight. Our mama’s are doing an amazing job feeding their babies.
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! As you watch the videos below, listen to the cute little sounds the puppies make as they nurse – so precious !
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 !!!
