The Transitional Period
Willow’s puppies are now two weeks old and have entered the Transitional Period from day 14 – 21. Each litter is different and enters the next period, the Critical Socialization Period when the puppies “first startle” at a sound.
Milestones
When raising puppies, we watch for Milestones to gauge the progress of our puppies. This weekWillow’s puppies reached two milestones.
Weigh-In
The first milestone the puppies reached this week was Doubling Their Birthweight. We are pleased to say that all Willow’s puppies have double their birth weight. Great job Willow!
Eyes Opened
Day 11
Another milestone was reached later in the week – Eyes Opening. Puppy’s eyes open between day 10 and day 14. On day 11, I was excited to notice that Yellow Girl had opened her eyes. Seeing the puppies look back at me is always exciting – I think they look more “alive”!
Soon after, and day by day the rest of the puppies opened their eyes too.
Daily Cleaning
As we stated before newborn puppies are susceptible to disease. For this reason, it is important to keep their area clean. We clean and disinfect their whelping box daily.
What is Vet Bedding? At first glance, you may think it is sheepskin. It is a manmade version of a sheepskin. It’s made from artificial fibres and has two sections: first, an underlying mesh, similar to the “skin” part of a sheepskin, and second, the comfy, soft, springy artificial fleece part that is attached to the mesh.
Puppies must have proper traction while nursing, moving around the whelping box, and learning to walk as this traction protects the puppy’s growing joints.
Time to Add a Panel
While cleaning in the whelping room Willow was resting on the elevated bed. I looked over to see some of her puppies had climbed out of their box and were nursing.
It is time to add a panel to the entrance
Looking Back at Week Two
The puppies spend their time eating and sleeping.
DAY 14
Puppies return to a clean whelping box. Notice how the puppies are starting to use their hind legs.
Those Beautiful Eyes
The Boys
The Girls
Looking Ahead to Week Three
- ENS exercises will continue until day 16
- Puppies will continue to eat and sleep most of their day
- Sight will become clearer
- Ears will open and they will begin to hear.
- Puppies will practice walking on all fours, strengthening their hind legs
- They will become more aware of their littermates and start to interact
- Puppies will start to vocalize
