Using x-rays and ultrasound we eagerly anticipate puppy arrivals!
While we don't get an x-ray or ultrasound for every single litter, it's always interesting to see the ones we do. In this ultrasound image you can see three pups from Bailey's litter. The x-rays below are of one of Pretty's large litters (how many heads and spines can you count?)
9 weeks after conception, the puppies arrive...
The puppies are born with their eyes tightly closed and a fine coat of short fur. We can tell what color their base coat is but often additional markings show up as their fur grows in. The pups look too small for their skin at first, but with a steady diet of rich milk they quickly grow plump in the first couple of days. The puppies don't produce enough of their own heat to keep themselves warm at first, so we use heat lamps to keep them cozy.
The puppies open their eyes when they are between 10-14 days old...
At this point, the pups are quite mobile and get around by "swimming" with their front paws. They're still very wobbly and they spend most of their time eating. Their hair grows rapidly and by this time we have a better idea of who will have smoother coats and who will be curlier.
By the time they're 3 weeks old, they can walk on all four paws and start exploring...
We encourage the natural instinct to keep their sleeping area clean and provide opportunities to use a specific "potty area" that is the basis for future crate training and house training! At this point the puppies start playing with each other and their toys! Wrestling, pouncing, "biting", and growling are fun with siblings and toys. Rope toys are very popular, as well as soft chew toys, stuffed animals, and anything with a tag.
Once the puppies open their eyes, we give each individual pup at least 15 minutes of individual attention per day (often spread out over the day in 3-5 minute sessions). A portion of that is always cuddle time! And we work hard to provide one new experience every day. New experiences can be very basic; think new sight, new sound, new smell, new texture, or new location. Here are a few examples of our pups learning that the world is full of new and interesting things!
At 5 weeks old, they start eating big-doggy food. They still want to nurse though...
Learning to eat kibbles can be a very messy business and often requires a bath after the first attempt! The puppies receive softened kibbles twice a day but still have full access to Mommy and as much milk as they want. At this age each puppy's personality is really starting to break through. By 5 weeks we've already pegged the snuggler, the pushover, and the explorer.
By 7 weeks they're fully weaned...
We allow our Moms to wean the puppies naturally, at their own pace. By the time the pups are 7 weeks old, the Moms don't allow the pups to nurse any more and the puppies are served kibbles three times a day. By this stage their legs are long enough that most of them have figured out how to go up and down stairs (though some with more trepidation than others!) They enjoy playing outside and we really have to watch them because they'll put anything and everything in their mouths. They like to dig, carry around sticks and pinecones, and find the high ground to play "king of the rock".
At 8 weeks, the puppies are ready to go to their new homes...
The puppies are crate trained; they understand that outside is the desirable potty place and don't want to make a mess in their crates. With continued positive reinforcement, they are easy to fully house train. Take-home weight is usually between 5 to 6 pounds, but the puppies will continue to grow rapidly. By the time they reach maturity around 18 months, they will be between 20 and 25 pounds.
