Maui’s Puppies Turn Five Weeks Old

Maui’s sweet babies 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 extended periods but still sleep most of their days and nights.

Socializing puppies is essential when raising them, which means introducing them to as many new experiences as possible when they are young. This week was packed full of new Firsts. The puppies moved to the main floor, explored outside the whelping box for playtime, walked on different floor surfaces, played with new toys, and started on solids.

The puppies love Maui’s elevated dog bed! Look for Orange Girl returning to play. When I started videoing, she was using the potty box – such a good girl!

We have been working hard on training puppies to use the potty box. This litter has been a little slower than other Willow’s litter. Some puppies are more consistent than others, but they are all progressing. When they are a little more consistent, we will remove the whelping box and replace it with crates.

Meal Time

Nursing

Maui is still nursing her puppies but limits how long and is beginning to tell them “NO” gentle growl!

Solids

The puppies are now eating soft kibble. I soak the regular kibble with boiling water and let it sit, which makes it easy for puppies to eat. Gradually, the water and soaking time decrease, working toward puppies eating dry kibble by seven weeks of age.

A look back at Week Five

Looking Ahead to Week Six

Awake time will continue to increase
Puppies will continue learning to use the potty box
Introduce crates to the puppy area
Socialize with each other through play
As they walk on uneven ground, their balance will continue to improve
Daily Outdoor play time as weather permits
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.

June 11, 2024June 11, 2024

Five weeks old and learning so much

Five Weeks and Counting

It’s hard to believe Willow and Brinkley’s puppies are five weeks old. They have progressed to eating softened kibble, and they are doing well and getting a little chubbier now. They have had a busy week experiencing new things. The puppies moved to the main floor, where they had more space, lots to explore, and new toys.

Resting after first taste of the outdoors

Introducing Crates

We said goodbye to the Whelping Box on Sunday and set up a new puppy area. At first, we must keep the space small. We want the puppies to use the potty boxes, and if the area is too large, potty training will not progress. The puppies’ enclosure has crates, potty boxes, and an elevated bed, which they love. We keep the crate doors open, and the puppies can enter when they like. We don’t want the crates to be intimidating; instead, we want them to look at crates as a comfy, safe space to sleep.

Puppies get comfortable going in and out of the crates. Many of the puppies seep in the crate with a buddy.

The new puppy area is in my front entrance for Willow’s puppies: two potty boxes, two crates, and an elevated bed.

We continue to work on teaching puppies to void in one spot—in the potty box, not just anywhere. Potty training is going well. Some puppies are better than others, but we are progressing.

A Look Back at Week Five

When our litters turn five weeks old, we begin outdoor play, weather permitting. This should have happened on Sunday; however, we had such a rainy day that we could not go outside. So, on Monday, the puppies had their first outdoor adventure. I was surprised this litter was so outgoing when we took them out. Puppies usually explore their new environment cautiously, taking their time to move around. But not this litter. They smelled around for a few minutes and then took off running, exploring and playing. Could it be because Willow is a strict mama and doesn’t baby her puppies?

After a long play session, the puppies had a long nap to recharge.

Milk Anyone?

Willow started weaning her puppies when they turned three weeks old. She still lets them have a short nurse but quickly regurgitates food for them to eat. Yesterday, when they were in the outside puppy enclosure, Maui joined in to give Willow a hand teaching. The puppies soon realized that if Mama Willow wouldn’t provide the milk, maybe Auntie Maui would.

Looking Ahead to Week Six

Awake time will continue to increase
Puppies will continue learning to use potty box both indoor and outdoors
Socialize with each other through play
As they walk on uneven ground, their balance will continue to improve
Daily Outdoor play time as weather permits
Puppies will continue learning from their mama and our other adult dogs as they teach them dog manners
Puppies will meet their forever families ❤️
As always, puppies will get lots of cuddle time.

November 25, 2023November 25, 2023

Our Adorable Five Week Old Puppies

Our adorable puppies are now five weeks old and continue to learn. Without a doubt, the most important thing that they have been working on this week is potty training. extension to our whelping box has been helpful in our effort to teach the puppies to void in one place. All the hard work is paying off because the puppies have made great progress in this area. That being said, they still have some work to do because they are not always consistent when they are given a larger area during their play time. All in all, I am very pleased at their progress!

HAPPY 65TH BIRTHDAY TOM

Our weekly post is a day late because yesterday when the puppies turned five weeks of age, we had a birthday party for my husband Tom. We had the family over for a party to celebrate with lots of food and fellowship.

As you can see from the photo it was a BIG number for him and he is now officially a senior. Although he is getting older, you would never guess it because Tom never stops. He takes after his dad who turns 90 in a couple weeks. . At almost 90, Tom’s dad never stops either. For example, if you need help with a project you can always count on Tom’s dad’s expertise as a master carpenter. On Thursday, Tom and his dad put in a full day building a workbench and shelving in our garage. I’m hoping Tom is as bless as he father with good health at 90.

Puppy Party

As I have previously mentioned, we raise our puppies using The Puppy Culture Protocols. During the Critical Socialization Stage that the puppies are currently in, here are 7 key things that will nurture the emotional intelligence of a puppy. #3 on our list is Habituation – to familiarity the puppies with the maximum number of things. For example , Puppy Parties, sound protocols, household noises , meeting other dogs, and different people different.

When raising a litter of puppies, it is important to introduce them to as many things as possibly. One way to accomplish this is raising our puppies in a home setting because the puppies become accustomed to the noises of a busy household.

Another way is to exposure the puppies to people of all ages. So, during the Birthday party, we had a built in “Puppy Party”. Throughout the evening,, the puppies interacted with people of all ages. Indeed, it was easy for lots of socialization with the 10 children all wanting to take their turn. Without doubt, every one enjoyed playing with and cuddling our puppies.

Puppy Party
*Our puppies are exposed to children of different ages. Look how gentle they are interacting with my two year old grandson.
*Listen to my other grandchildren in the background. They were so excited that one of the puppies went to the potty box.
*Did you hear the “GOOD GIRL” and then 👏👏👏clapping for the puppy’s success? What a smart puppy!

One on One Time

One on one time is a daily occurrence for our puppies. I love to sit on the couch with a coffee and cuddle with a puppy. This morning after a few minutes of cuddling, our Black Parti boy decided he didn’t want to sit on my lap anymore. He got off, walked around the couch, and decided that the pillows were a great spot for a snooze 🥰

Outdoor Adventure

One of the highlights raising our puppies is introducing them to the outdoors. This happened today when the puppies are introduced to the outdoors. So, now that they are 5 weeks old, as weather permits, they have daily outdoor exercise playing with their litter mates, exploring and learning about the world around them.

It is important to note that the next few weeks are a vital part of their learning experience. During this time they are taught social skills by their mother along with our other adult dogs and their littermates.

When I took the puppies outside I put each puppy out in the Potty Box. Even though we are outside, I still want to teach them to go in one spot. Often when the puppies have a large area, they don’t alway go to the potty box. I was impressed as I saw many of the puppies head over and go into the box 🙂