WE CAN SEE, HEAR AND WADDLE

Happy Thanksgiving from Pumpkin, Cider, Yam, Gravy, Turkey, Biscuit, Cranberry, Bean and Pecan

We had a really fun and full week with Thanksgiving festivities all around the house, our ears opened so we could hear all the sounds and see everyone! So much life for us to live that is new, exciting and sometimes a little scary. We met the vacuum (oh what a scary thing that is!!), we were startled by the sound of banging on a metal bowl but quickly recovered. Then we got to meet the dryer.....it wasn't scary at all. Gramma says these sounds will be important for us to be accustomed to when we go to our furever homes. They will remind us that these things are normal and safe, just like it is here!

Of course, everyone is growing like crazy......some more than others! Gravy and Yam need to skip lunch and go to the gym while little Cranberry gets an extra bottle. Sometimes life is hard but we are trying to keep a good balance. I have never had a litter with so much discrepancy in size before but my breeder friends all say it's normal and help me find ways to manage them. We are very pleased with the progress and growth Cranberry is experiencing.

Apples and Mom are our two favorite smells......

The whelping pen has been enlarged a little bit to allow room for potty trays. It is the puppies natural instinct to eliminate away from where they sleep so by just providing a dedicated spot it's fascinating to watch them gravitate towards it. These trays a very low and the pads on them have a smell that attracts them to do their business. The trays have also given them their first experience with problem solving an obstacle and different surface, we will do lots more of that exercise down the road! In a few days, I will add a grate that covers the pad so their poo will drop through and they won't step in it. It also adds another surface for them to become accustomed to walking on top. The overall space is now almost 1/2 potty trays and 1/2 sleeping area.

The use of the trays is not only helpful to me but will also be helpful to the new families when puppies go home. The theory is this teaches them they are supposed to go in a certain place. When they get home, it's up to the humans to show them where the new spot is and how to communicate with each other. Still an extremely diligent task but if you follow the rules of keeping their space super limited and taking them out every time they wake, eat, or make a move you get there fairly painlessly. Don't forget to have a HUGE party every time they go where they are supposed to go and clean up thoroughly when they don't!

The grates will be added in a day or two......giving them a chance to get used to the other parts first.

In preparation for learning to lick gruel, we start with water. They are champs at suckling but licking is a new skill that doesn't take much practice, however there is some learning involved! They will use these round dishes and share at first but shortly after they get the hang of eating real food with their real teeth, they will be moved into individual bowls and eventually fed in the crates. Every step we take is intentional and has a purpose in the overall training for YOUR puppy. We hope you follow our lead and continue to teach your wonderful puppy how to be a GREAT dog!

Here is just a few of my favorite photos from the week!!