Week by Week
Week one
It’s all about helping Mama feel safe and comfortable. Babies are weighed every 12 hrs for the first week to ensure proper growth. If a pup doesn’t gain an appropriate amount, their collar color is added to our “watch list” white board. Each human working a shift then ensures that particular pup has ample feeding time with mama. We pay very close attention to the needs of mama and babies during this first week.
Week TWO
Babies are typically plump little porkers and everyone has settled into a nice routine. Mama gets fed plenty of extra food and raw meaty bones to ensure she produces enough milk for the babies. Towards the end of week two, eyes and ears will open for the pups and they’ll start experiencing a whole new world.
Week Three
We begin potty training during week three. Initially we start by using artificial grass squares and ultimately ‘graduate’ to using pine pellets under a bed of shavings. It takes quite a bit of dedication on our part for the first 4-5 days of potty training, but the pups catch on quickly and ultimately leave our home “pre-potty trained”.
Week four.
New sights, sounds, textures, people….just new everything. Week three and four are all about socialization. We use the program Puppy Culture as our guide to raising well-rounded, confident pups.
Week five.
If the weather is appropriate, pups will get their first experience outside during week five. We have a fully fenced area with artificial turf for them to play safely together without being trampled by our adult dogs.
Week six.
Pups are initially introduced to a kennel as a group in one large kennel. Eventually, they will spend just a bit of time in their individual kennels - typically while I’m cleaning.
Week seven.
Puppies are completely weaned by 7 weeks old but yet still not quite ready to head home. They need this time with their siblings to learn ‘bite inhibition’ and more confidence. We continue working on sitting nicely for attention (manding).
Week eight.
By week eight, everyone is ready for pups to head home. They are ready for more individual attention, they’re ready to begin training, and we’re ready for peace and quite again. lol.