Tag: Puppies at play

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Maui & Willow’s Pups Explore the Yard Together

Busy Week

It has been a busy week and a half. There are so many puppies that need our care, vet visits, and puppy preparation for heading home. Something had to give, and it was our weekly blog. I do appoligize to those of you waiting to see the puppy updates.

Vet Visit

Maui’s puppies visited the vet. Everyone was found to be healthy! They were very well behaved during their exam and brave when they received their vaccination and dreaded microchip. We only had one puppy that gave out a small yelp. They are such brave puppies.

I was pleasantly surprised that the puppies were so quiet for their first car ride. They settled into the crate both when they went to the vet and again when they headed home.

Puppy Call

Willow’s puppies continued exploring the yard while Maui’s puppies joined them. They have had a great time running, exploring and playing together. They love to wrestle with each other, and they learn to have a soft mouth. If a puppy bites too hard, it won’t have any friends to play with. 

This is also a time when we work on recall with the “Puppy Call.” Every puppy doesn’t come every time—puppies need repetition. This is the start of their recall training, a crucial aspect of their development. It’s something that their forever families will need to build on when they go home.

Crate Training

We begin crate training when the whelping box is removed and replaced with crates in the puppy area. The door is left open, and the puppies can enter and explore if they wish. Some puppies like to sleep in the crate, while others go in to play hide and seek with a littermate and come out again. The puppies have started napping in their crate with the door closed this week. We always have a puppy or two in the litter that complain. When we close the door, I will give each puppy a biscuit to distract them. This helps the puppies associate the crate with something good.

A Look Back

The puppies have enjoyed playing and exploring in the big yard. This is when our mothers and other adult dogs teach the puppies and train them to listen and to submit.

Saying Good-Bye

This past week, some of Willow’s puppies left for their forever homes. Saying goodbye is always a bittersweet time for me, but I love to share the joy with their forever families as they welcome their new additions. We wish each puppy a long, happy life full of love and new adventures.

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Willow and Brinkley’s Seven Weeks Old Cuties

Seven Weeks Old

Willow and Brinkley’s puppies are now seven weeks old. Willow has done a fantastic job raising her puppies, teaching them to behave and listen to mama. She continues to be the strict mama, and you can definitely see the results. With a growl from Mama, when the puppies get too “wild,” they calm down.

This week has been busy. The puppies have mastered going in and out of the house on their own, had their first car ride when they visited the vet, were introduced to water, and had play dates with Maui’s puppies. They have also transitioned to eating dry kibble.

Water Play

This past week, we have been experiencing a heat wave. It was so hot that I had to restrict the puppies’ time outside. I would take them out in the morning for a couple of hours and then bring them back into the house, where it was cool. We would again give them some outdoor play time in the late afternoon.

We added water play to help keep the puppies cool during outdoor play. In the puppy enclosure, we put various-sized containers filled with water and a pool for the puppies to cool off in.

When we added water to the pool, all the puppies were curious. It is essential to let the puppies explore the water independently so they do not have a bad first experience with it. Some puppies were brave and climbed in; some stayed back and watched.

Puppies Meal Time

Newborn puppies get all their nourishment from their mother’s milk. When Willow started weaning her puppies at three weeks of age, it was time to start them on solids.

During weaning, the puppies start solids in progression. First, they eat a ground, watery puppy mush. Second, we soak kibble in hot water to make it waterlogged and soft. Lastly, the puppies transition to dry kibble.

When this happens, feeding time is so easy. No more grinding puppy food to turn it into puppy mush or having to wait while the kibble is soaked in hot water. Feeding time is easy now because I just scoop the dry kibble into the dishes and watch the waiting puppies devour their food.

The puppies are learning to exit the house on their own.

Puppies Visit the Vet

On Wednesday, the puppies had a couple of new firsts. They visited the veterinarian for their wellness check, vaccination, and microchip, and they also had their first car ride.

When we take the puppies to the vet, Tom stays at the truck with them in the large crate, and I take them into the office for their exam two by two. The weather was scorching that day, so we devised a different plan. We would take all the puppies into the office where it was cool. It worked out very well. We put the crate onto a dolly and rolled it into the office. Tom stayed with the puppies in the waiting room while I took each puppy into the examination room for their check-up

Crate in back of truck
Crate on dolly to transport
Puppies meet new people
Weigh in
Wellness Exam
Headed back to the truck

All the puppies behaved well and passed their Wellness Exam “with flying colours!” The car ride home was quiet because the puppies settled in for a nap after their big adventure.

A look back week seven

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 
  • Willow along with our other dogs will continue teaching the puppies dog manners
  • Crate training with the door closed during nap time
  • We will continue to encourage puppies to use the potty area 
  • Puppies will continue to get lots of cuddle time
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Look at Maui’s Adorable Six-Week-Old Puppies

Six Weeks Old

The puppies are six weeks old today. We have had another busy week caring for them and introducing them to many new things. They have grown bigger, and you can see each unique personality developing. Maui continues to wean her puppies while they eat softened kibble. We continue to work on potty training, and we are making progress. Some puppies are more consistent, but all the puppies are making progress.

The Girls

Pink Collar Girl
Orange Collar Girl

The Boys

Green Collar Boy
Blue Collar Boy
Brown Collar Boy
Yellow Collar Boy
Grey Collar Boy

New Puppy Area

We said goodbye to the whelping box this week and started crate training in a new puppy area. I started the puppies with two crates, leaving the door open. This is the beginning of crate training. The puppies explore independently, and the door is always open.

Looking Back At Week Six

The puppies experienced new things. They enjoy outdoor play time with their own litter. We also introduced them to Willow’s litter during some of their outdoor play time.

This past week has been very hot, so we introduced water through various containers and a pool. The puppies loved the water and some were brave and went into the pool

LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK SEVEN

In Week Seven, we will be working on obstacles. The puppies must use their brains to figure out how to maneuver around them. The puppies will also learn how to go down steps.

  • Puppies will meet their forever families
  • Puppies time spent awake will continue to increase
  • Puppies will begin dry kibble by the end of week seven
  • Puppies will visit the vet for their wellness check-up and vaccinations
  • We will continue to encourage puppies to use potty box
  • Puppies will continue to socialize and learn from each other through play
  • Puppies will continue exploring and playing together outdoor as weather permits
  • Puppies will continue learning from their mama as she disciplines them and teaches them to behave 
  • As always, puppies will continue to get lots of cuddle time.
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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.
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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
Red boy found a good headrest

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.
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Willow’s four-week-olds – Growing up quickly!

We made it through another busy week! Willow’s babies have grown, milk teeth have erupted, and they have been introduced to new things this week: potty training and solids started.

Potty Training

When the puppies are learning, we don’t clean the potty area because the smell helps them know where to” go.”

Because Willow wanted to start weaning her puppies, we introduced potty training. The mama won’t clean up after they start eating solids, so this was number one on the list of things to teach.

On Monday, we added a potty area to the whelping box. The new addition contains potty boxes filled with pine pellets. The puppies were curious and checked things out. Over the next few days, the puppies got the idea that their whelping box was for play and sleep, and the potty boxes were there to go potty in. Accidents always happen, so keeping the whelping box clean is essential. The vet bedding was changed multiple times daily, which meant lots of laundry.

After a few days, seeing the progress being made was encouraging. Such smart puppies!

Starting Solids

As our three-week blog mentioned, Willow wanted to wean her puppies early, but I wanted them to wait a few more days before introducing solids. So, I would sit with Willow in the whelping box during feeding time. This encouragement helped, and she continued to feed her babies.

Towards the end of the week, Willow would no longer lie down to nurse; Willow wanted to feed her puppies in the standing position. This is another sign that she is weening them. The puppies stand to feed but don’t get as much milk in this position because they fall and have to start again.

Willow would still regurgitate food for her puppies, but at least they were still getting Mama’s milk. Willow’s puppies are lean compared to Maui’s chunky babies and need a little help fattening up. So, on Saturday, it was time to start feeding the puppies their puppy mush.

Puppy mush is made from ground kibble, puppy formula and boiled water.

Looking Back at Week Three

Here’s a look back at Week Three of Willow and Brinkley’s puppies’ lives. Notice how much stronger their hind legs have become.

The puppies have become more aware of their littermates and like to play and wrestle. Notice the puppies’ mouthing—this is essential to learning to have a soft mouth. Playing too rough will prevent you from having puppy friends to play with.

Looking Ahead to Week Five

  • Move to the main floor
  • Puppies will continue learning to use the potty area
  • Awake time will increase
  • The puppies will continue to socialize with each other through play 
  • Toys will be added to our whelping box for puppies to explore
  • 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.
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Seven Weeks of Growing and Learning

Echo’s puppies are now seven weeks old. They have grown so much and continue to learn new things daily. This past week, there have been many firsts for the puppies: exiting the house and reentering, learning to go up and down the steps, a car ride, a vet visit, and running in the Big Yard, to name a few. They have also graduated to eating hard kibble. Feeding time is easy now; measure and pour into their dish.

Becoming More Independent

The puppies are learning daily. They have learned to go outside and back inside independently (without my help).

This video shows their first attempt at going outside on their own. You can hear Maui barking to encourage them😂

The puppies have since become very proficient at going outside on their own.

Working on Recall

Another thing that the puppies have been working on is recall. We start this by calling “puppy, puppy” when feeding them and when it is time to gather at the puppy entrance to bring them back inside. Now that they have access to the Big Yard, we call them to gather them together to ensure all are accounted for. This video shows the puppies coming when called. I was impressed that all the puppies came to me when called!👏👏.

A Visit to the Vet

Wednesday was a big day for the puppies. It was their first car ride and a visit to the vet. It is always exciting when the puppies go to the vet, and they always have so many admirers at our vet clinic.

All the puppies had a complete wellness check, their first vaccinations, and the dreaded microchip. I am happy to report that we only had one Yelp, and all our puppies are healthy!

As usual, I was again complimented on how calm and well-behaved our puppies are. It is fulfilling to hear compliments like this, proving that all the hard work we put into the puppies really does make a difference!

Socialization

Puppy Culture states in #3 & #7 that puppies need lots of human interaction in the critical socialization stage.

#3 Habituation – familiarity with the maximum number of things (Puppy Parties, sound protocols, household noises, meeting different people, dogs, etc.)

#7 Love – teach puppies to seek out the company of dogs and humans as emotionally positive experiences, i.e., Daily cuddles with humans and the puppy’s mom.

We have had many human interactions with the puppies. Many grandchildren make an instant Puppy Party and are always willing to help interact with them

Our puppies also benefit from interaction with other dogs in our household. Maui and Willow are helping Echo teach the puppies dog manners. Brinkley is a big dog and shows up occasionally as well.

Willow works with Black Collar Girl

Looking Back at Week Seven

It has been another busy week for the puppies—so many new things to experience.

Things to watch for:

  • Puppies wrestle – important to teach soft mouth and to play nice
  • Interactions with other dogs
  • Interactions with children
  • Running in the big yard
  • Willow teaching the puppy to submit-(laying on its back)
  • Green Girl is perfecting the perfect doodle sleep position😂
  • Car rides
  • Vet visit
  • Dry Kibble
  • Fresh filtered ice water always available 🙂

Looking Ahead to Week Eight

  • Puppies will continue exploring and playing together inside and outdoors as weather permits
  • The puppies will continue 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 with the door closed for short naps
  • We will continue to encourage puppies to use the potty area 
  • Puppies will continue to get lots of cuddle time
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Echo’s Six Week Old Sweeties

Looking back

The puppies are six weeks old today. We have had another busy week caring for them and introducing them to many new things. They have grown bigger, and you can see each unique personality developing. Echo continues to wean her puppies, and they eat softened kibble. We continue to work on Potty training. Some puppies are more consistent than others, but we are making progress.

Crate Introduction

This week, we said goodbye to the whelping box and started crate training in a new puppy area. I start the puppies with a few crates, leaving the door open. This is the beginning of crate training. The puppies go in on their own to explore, and the door is always open.

Selection Day

This past Saturday was Selection Day. The weather was beautiful, and excitement was in the air as we met each forever family and introduced them to their new puppy! It always brings me joy to know that all our puppies are joining such amazing families and will be loved!

Outdoor Play

We’ve been having wonderful weather, and the puppies really enjoy their outdoor play time. They love running, chasing each other, playing with the activity center, and climbing the “rock wall.”

Echo, Willow, and Maui teach the puppies proper doggy manners during the outdoor play sessions.

Looking Ahead to Week 7

  • Awake will continue to increase
  • Puppies will begin dry kibble by the end of week seven
  • We will continue to encourage puppies to use potty box
  • Puppies will continue to socialize and learn from each other through play
  • Exploring and playing together outdoors as weather permits
  • Puppies will continue learning from their mama as she disciplines and teaches them to behave
  • As always, puppies will continue to get lots of cuddle time
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Echo’s sweet babies are now five weeks old

Echo’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 longer periods and enjoy playing with each other, and their toys, 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. For instance, the puppies have been introduced to this week are different floor surfaces, new toys, the outside, and our other adult dogs.

Potty Training

We have been working hard on training puppies to use the potty box. 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

The puppies are always excited when they smell the food being prepared.

Now the puppies are eating three meals a day of soggy kibble.

The puppies are still nursing from their mama any chance they get but Echo limits this and is beginning to tell them “NO” with a stern growl! They also get plenty of fresh filtered water

Puppy Parties

Family gatherings are one of the many things I love about our large family . This past Mother’s Day weekend was a busy one; to help me out with puppy cuddles, we built a Puppy Party to socialize the puppies with different people. The puppies were held, cuddled and played with by both young and old. They especially love playing with my grandchildren and interacting with them. As you can imagine, after all the handling, the puppies were tired out and slept well

Outside Adventure

The puppies had their first taste of the outdoors yesterday. During this time, it is always and exciting time to watch how they explore. Our mama dogs love to have their puppies outside because it give them a larger area to teach them.

Echo spent time with her puppies making sure they felt save.

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.

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Four Weeks Has Passed So Quickly! 🐾

Four weeks has passed so quickly! It always amazes me how quickly the puppies go from the helpless newborns that crawl, can’t see or hear to the active four-week-old puppies they are today. Echo’s puppies have grown so much and are experiencing and learning each day. It has been another busy week for sure!

Potty Training Started

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.

 It is important that puppies start learning that they cannot “go” just 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.

New Whelping Box

Recently we purchased a New Whelping box from PetTech Solutions . This was another big investment but well worth the money. The Whelping box is made in Canada with extremely durable and safe HDPE 2 food-grade plastic. HDPE 2 is a durable, non-toxic material that is commonly used for food preparation items, such as cutting boards and food storage containers.

What I loved about this whelping box was the ability to enlarge it with an extension box.

On Thursday we set up the extension box. Then we added the potty boxes with pine pellets to the extension which now becomes the puppies potty training area.

Next it was time to remove the door that separates the two areas. Soon after, Echo’s puppies were curious and one by one checked things out.

.

The puppies are doing well with their potty training. When they are kept in a small area (their whelping box) their success rate is higher because they don’t want to soil the area they play and sleep. This will be the same when they go to their forever homes. Too much room to roam equals more accidents.

Moving to the Main Floor

Saturday 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.

When we moved the puppies, we put the puppies into a Laundry Basket and made three trips to the main floor where their whelping box was set up waiting.

This move was a less stressful for Echo’s litter than my other litters. This is because the puppies had already been using the potty box extension for a few days. But unfortunately not for Echo as she was the one that was a little stressed. Soon Echo’s puppies settled into their new area and started experiencing living in a home with all the noises that go on in a busy household.

Puppies Start Solids

The puppies started solids on Monday. We usually start our litters on solids. when they are four weeks old but, with such a large litter it can take its toll on Echo. I gave her a hand by supplementing formula the last of couple days, Saturday and Sunday. The puppies did a great job and lapped it up eagerly.

On Monday I added ground kibble to their puppy formula. They ate it up but not before putting their paws in it. When they were done, we had very dirty puppies with full tummy’s.

Oops….not Willow

Oops, Credit goes to Echo, not Willow as I mistakenly said in the video. Sorry Echo, you have done an amazing job and deserve all the credit!!! I was tired and I had Willow on my mind after whelping her litter – 😂

Exploring Outside the Whelping Box

The puppies experience new things daily which helps build their confidence. I always find it interesting to watch how the puppies approach new things. When you observe you see some puppies are more outgoing and dive in while others stay back and need extra encouragement.

When it was time for the puppies to go to the play area I removed the door and let the puppies come out on their own. Notice in the video two of the puppies took longer to come out and explore. Without a doubt, Dark Blue Boy and Dark Green Boy were less adventurous. It took them awhile before they joined their littermates outside the whelping box.

The puppies had a great first adventure and Echo loved interacting with her babies! When play time was over, we had some tire puppies so, back to the whelping box for a nap.

Nothing puts a smile on your face easier than a lap full of puppies 😃
Puppies first adventure outside the whelping box.

Puppy Monitor

Now that the puppies have left the upstairs where we have cameras on the Whelping Box, we have a monitor set up to keep an eye on the puppies when we go outside.

We enjoy our morning coffee on the front porch with our puppy monitor

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 
  • Toys will be added to our whelping box for puppies to explore
  • 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.