Big World here we come!

For Daisy’s litter this week more exploring has been going on, marked by the litter sleeping as we pass bynow more and more of them playing together which is the beginning of healthy pack play. Toys have been introduced followed with more time in the living room which helps the puppy play socially as well as stimulate the mind and develop muscle coordination.

This week we will see more of this interaction between the pups as a loose hierarchy within the litter begins to develop. They will play fight keeping it pretty friendly, mouth and learn dominance and submission.  This initial interaction is the basis of a healthy adjusted pup with other dogs.  Many studies state the needing of this time with their litter as well as with their mother to learn basic social behavior for their canine species.  Muse’s litter, born a week later, is also following on the same track. Lorna finds it helpful to watch as we go as well.

Teeth are fully coming now and last night Daisy’s puppies got their first meat and mush meal which they devoured.  Muse’s puppies will get their first puppy mush on Tuesday when we visit.

This week paves the way for the next big development period; it is the transition into socialization with people. 35-42 days are very important in puppy deveplment for the human connection to develop.  The main shift from litter mates and mom to human beings and the world beyound the nest happens during this period.  Puppies will refine their pack play and then manifest new beahior that helps them experience the world. Their eyes and ears will be sharp with more depth perception and sounds being associated with humans, doors, footsteps. Their muzzles will start to elongate and they will have more facial expressions. They find their voice this week, a “yip” sound turns int barking and “humph” to growling, and vocal ranges for them will broaden.  They will show eagerness to explore and investigate everything and they will become stronger and more coordinated. So much happens with each step a building block for the next.

They will get lots of eye contact, patting, stroking and we will foster non threatening eye contact to lay the solid foundation for training and the puppies long term human relationships.  They will be brushed, slightly stressed and feet and paws handled. Toe nails will be clipped again and during the end of 5th week they get their first bath. Slowly the milk bar is being replaced with a meat/milk meal to a canned puppy food by Iams small puppy, Chicken. Then slowly during the 5-6 week a Iam’s kibble mix with be added to prepare them for their new home.

Helpers have been enlisted (daughter, friends, parents, neighbor children) to expose the pups to humans as well as common house hold noises of dishwasher, vaccum, TV and music as we prepare for the 5-6 weeks. The back yard “puppy area” is being prepared for the “hello big outside world” adventure. But, not just yet. That will come at the end of this week moving into 6 weeks, but another milestone that is being prepared for. Mom and Dad did stop in this morning, finding puppy socialization teams is not so very hard. 🙂

Yes, theworld is opening up and will be balanced with variety of different sights, sounds and textures. The familiar with something to challenge their curosity and intelligence.  They will be exposed to walking on gravel, grass, tile, cement and steps. They love to investigate and play in tunnels and climb in, over, under furniture and baskets. The doorless puppy crate and ball are right now their favorite in their puppy play pen. Soon, more play space such as the outside area will help stimulate the puppy.

A few more weeks and they will be ready for their forever home, but not just yet. We are growing puppies for the big world, and the big world can wait a bit longer. Nuture and nature go hand and hand.

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