Puppies are 4 Weeks Old
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Hello All!
We just can’t believe the pups are one month old, already. The time has flown by and I am suddenly struck with the thought that in just 3-4 more weeks, the puppies will be leaving us, which is exciting and sad at the same time. But, that’s the way it goes and we are thrilled about the group that these pups are going home to. We know they are going to the best hunting homes!
The puppies are eating more and more of the mush, but they still want momma and now they are able to chase Maisy around the room trying to pin her down for what they love most! Poor Maisy. I do notice she is beginning to discipline the pups a little. She is the most gentle dog I know and it’s very interesting to watch and learn how the bitch disciplines the pups. Of course they don’t chatter on and on like humans and it makes you wonder what we can learn from this and apply it to our handling of dogs.
Maisy nudges them away, ever so gently at first, then firmer and even at times also “nibbles” at the back of their neck a little if the nudge doesn’t work. The pups don’t cry out at this at all, but they do stop doing whatever it was that she did not approve of, which is usually biting at her ears, lips, face, tail or what have you.
We are offering the mush 2 times a day, but when the puppies are out of the box playing, they go to Maisy’s bowl (which is the very same food, also softened) and eat from it.
They are growing like mad and romping and playing more and more. The play is turning quite rough, now. Each one also spends a lot of time exploring the room more and more on their own.
They are very excited to see people, now. They will run toward you wagging those little tails and jumping! It is so cute and puts a smile on your face immediately. They mostly just want out of the whelping box and every one of them is able to figure out how to manage it. A few will, at first, just sit there and cry and cry to get out when you put the gate down wanting you to get them out. If you don’t get them out, they will finally just get down to the work of getting over what is in their way. I have decided to not just pick them out of the box anymore. They must figure it out–and do.
A few of them are quite good at making sure they find one of the “training pads” placed around the room to do their business on. It is quite amazing, I think. We are sure to praise and praise them when they do this! But, there are also many accidents.
A few other things we have been doing: Introducing the older dogs occasionally. Encouraging the kids and their friends to play with them. Trying little challenges like putting something in their way, so they figure out they must go around (or sometimes over) it. Noises… doors slamming, clapping loudly, running the sweeper, etc. These are all things that we feel help make a well-rounded puppy that is not afraid or startled by noises, people, other dogs, etc. They are learning to negotiate obstacles which help in the development of their coordination, muscles, etc. We are also keeping up with the “alone” time, taking one at a time away from the rest for play, cuddling, etc.
Here are some photos from the past few days. It is very difficult to get clear photos as they are always on the move. We took over one-hundred photos and only 20 made the cut.