Introducing Ellie and Brinkley’s Retirement Litter
D.O.B. Monday, May 15th, 2023
The Boys
The Girls
Introducing Ellie and Brinkley’s Retirement Litter
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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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 Adorable Seven Weeks Old Puppies
Looking Back
Echo’s puppies are now seven week old . The puppies had an exciting week experiencing new things. Saturday they met their forever families who will soon be their world. They love outdoor play time where they get lots of exercise running and playing with everyone! The puppies have now made the transition to eating dry kibble.
Puppy Selection Day
Tom and I had a great time on Saturday meeting all the forever families and introducing them to their puppy. It is a day that we always look forward to because we love to show off our adorable puppies and share the excitement with their forever families.
It was a long day for our puppies interacting with so many people but a great opportunity for socializing the puppies with new people. I was very proud of our puppies! Puppies are full of energy but, I’m sure you can agree that the work put into the puppies over the past 7 weeks has produced a confident, gentle nature.
The puppies still sleep much of their time. They play hard for short periods of time and then drop off to sleep. When the day was over we had a litter of very tired puppies. After the last family left, the puppies ate their dinner and had a good long nap.
Becoming More Independent
The puppies are learning daily. They have learned to go outside and back inside on their own (without my help). Maui “the nanny” helps guide them. She loves socializing the puppies and teaching them.
(You can hear our other dogs in the background barking as the puppies come out 🥺)
Looking Ahead to Week Eight
- Puppies will continue exploring and playing together inside and outdoors as weather permits
- The puppies will get to run in the BIG yard where we will work on recall
- Echo along with our other dogs will continue teaching the puppies dog manners
- Crate training begins
- We will continue to encourage puppies to use potty area
- Puppies head to the Vet on Wednesday for their wellness check, first set of shots and their microchip
- Puppies will continue to get lots of cuddle time
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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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Look At How Cute Our Five Week Old Puppies Are
LOOKING BACK
Echo’s puppies are now five weeks old. They 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 their toys, each other, 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. Some of the new things that the puppies have been introduced to this week are: crates, different floor surfaces, new toys, the outside, and our other adult dogs.
Our puppy area. The puppy area has been expanded, the whelping box has been removed and we have added crates to the area.
Potty Training
We have been working hard on training puppies to use the potty box both inside and now outside. Some of the puppies are more consistent than others but, all the puppies are making great progress. It’s amazing to watch puppies wake up or stop playing and go over to use their potty box.
Meal Time
Puppies are always excited when they smell the food being prepared. They are now eating three meals of puppy mush a day along with drinking plenty of fresh filtered water. The puppies are still nursing from their mama any chance they get but Echo limits this and is beginning to tell them “NO”!
Puppy Parties
One of the bonus of having a large family is get togethers. This past Easter weekend has been a busy one at our house with three days of sharing meals with our families and three days of “Puppy Parties”. The puppies were held, cuddled and played with by both young and old. They especially love playing with my grandchildren and interacting with them. After many play sessions, the puppies were tired out and settled in for a long nap.
Adult Dog Interaction
When the puppies play outside it is a great time to introduce them to our other adult dogs. During this time I always keep a watchful eye to make sure everyone is getting along. It is also important that the puppies have somewhere to escape to feel safe and that our adult dogs have a way of escape from the puppies. This is why we make sure our adult dogs can come in and out of the fenced area on the deck as they please and our puppies can retreat to their safe place which is under the chairs.
Fun Outside
When our puppies turn five weeks old we introduce them to the outdoors. This is always an exciting time watching them explore and discover.
Things to Watch for in the video
- puppies “safe place “where they have their naps outside
- potty box where we are trying to teach the puppies to go while outside.
- Maui the puppy nanny interacting with the puppies. Maui plays an important role helping mama Echo teach our puppies proper “dog manners“
Puppy Pics
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
- 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.
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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 Sweet Puppies – Week 2
LOOKING BACK
Echo’s sweet puppies are now two weeks old and growing bigger and more adorable with each passing day. Echo continues to be an amazing mama taking wonderful care of her babies!!
We have had another busy week and the puppies have made so much progress. We have fallen into a daily routine. Most of the puppies’ time is spent eating and sleeping. In addition to this, we continue the ENS exercises and weigh-in for each puppy. The puppies are moving faster and when Echo returns to the whelping box the puppies scurry around ready for another meal.
Weight-in
Double BirthWeight Milestone
Echo had done an amazing job feeding her puppies. All our puppies have been gaining weight daily. Puppies should double their birth weight between 7 – 10 days. The first puppy doubled her birth weight on day 7 and the rest followed over the next few days. All our puppies have doubled their birthweight and continue to grow with each passing day.
As you know, the Goldendoodle breed is an intentional mix of Poodle and Golden Retriever. We breed Standard Size with a weight range of 50 – 75+ pounds. Riggs who is the stud of Echo’s litter is 55 pounds, so I expected some puppies to be smaller than our previous litters. We have a few smaller puppies in this litter. The below picture shows the comparison of our largest puppy and our smallest puppy. (Both are males)
Feeding Time
Echo has a large litter of 11 but can only feed 8 puppies at a time. At first Echo was constantly in the whelping box and puppies just cycled through taking their turn eating without any intervention on my part. Now that Echo spends time away from her whelping box when she returns, all the puppies want to eat. So, I have had to step in and put three puppies into a “waiting box” until some puppies have finished nursing. It is important that all the puppies get their fair share of mama’s milk.
LOOK AT THOSE BEAUTIFUL EYES
The puppies have reached another Milestone. On Thursday I was excited to see that Grey Collar Boy had opened his eyes. Over the next few days, the rest of the puppies’ eyes began to open. Though they cannot see well yet, it is always exciting when the puppies’ eyes open – they seem to come alive. Their vision will continue to improve over the next weeks.
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.
Daily cuddles
Puppy socialization starts at birth. We handle our puppies as soon as their mamas feel comfortable and give them all daily cuddles.
My grandchildren are great helpers with this. I love to share this learning experience with them; teaching them to love and respect animals and to be gentle.
Today my two-year-old granddaughter helped me hold and cuddle all the puppies 🥰
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LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK THREE
- 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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Happy Saturday
Today Echo’s puppies are 12 days old and growing quickly. Echo continues to be an amazing mama and loves to care for her babies.
L.A. Doodles goal is To Raise Healthy, Calm, Confident, Well-Adjusted Puppies. One thing we do to work towards achieving this goal is ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation)
ENS Demonstration
This past week we have continued our daily ENS exercises. ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) begins on day 3 and continues daily 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. Benefits include greater tolerance to stress, greater resistance to disease, faster adrenal system, stronger heart rate and stronger heartbeats. This is a gift that a breeder can only give their puppies during the 3 – 16 day window.
In this video I demonstrate the ENS exercises we do daily with each puppy.
