WHAT A WEEK OF CHANGE!

Wow, It amazes me everyday to see the growth and change in these little Valentines love bugs!! They are all over 4 lbs now, some over 5 and wobbling like drunken sailors all over their whelping box. They have started to react whenever we enter the room (the humans, not just Mom). They are usually asleep but wake up to sound (maybe smell) and the response is so cute and positive. They definitely are now equating us to something good and positive! Exactly what we want in a puppy as it grows......And their little barks!!! Just melts my heart and they learn to express themselves.

Speaking of expressing......They are now going potty on their own although Mom is still cleaning and stimulating their poop. We started with potty pads early in the week. The pads are not ideal as they grow, eventually they would play with them, chew them and make a giant mess. However, I have had pretty good luck using them in the beginning to just get them started with the idea that they should potty in a specific place and NOT where they sleep. Not to say I don't find them asleep on the potty pads but hey.....it's a process and this is a great start! By the end of the week we were able to expand the whelping box by a couple feet and add the actual potty trays with a grate. They weren't too sure about the grate at first but it will be my lifesaver as they poop on their own and it falls through the 1" holes so they don't step in it, etc. When I looked at this photo I realized the enlarged whelping box now exposed those cords that were covered before......yeah, they had to move! So did the baby camera we use to spy on them when not in the room, since that was the reason for the extension cord, it all worked out great!

We also started eating puppy mush early in the week.....just learning how to use our licker so mostly water with some ground up puppy kibble. Only took 1 day and they were on it!!! 3 days later we transitioned to whole puppy kibble soaked in water and they are going to town on it. This will help supplement Moms nursing for the next little while until she stops all together. By the time that happens, they will be eating straight puppy chow! She mostly is standing up to nurse them now anyway, but once they have a solid grasp on the trays we can give them more room. Rule #1 in potty training, keep the space small!!!

We continue to handle them several times a day. Always exposing them to new sounds, textures and smells. It is a tough job.......I know you all feel sorry for me right now!

We administered another round of dewormer and trimmed nails too. Pups need to be weighed first, refer to the dosage chart then administer the appropriate amount for each puppy. Since their weight changes daily we have to check just before administering anything.

Mom and Auntie Magnolia get the same treatments. We handled the puppies ears but actually clean the adults when they were bathed and nails trimmed. All things adult dogs need on a continuing basis so by starting the puppies early it is much easier!!!

Just a couple of my favorite catches this week.....hope you enjoy the cuteness of 3 week old puppies. In order to maintain the high level of sanitation and safety for these little monkeys no visitors are allowed yet so I try to share the moments with you! Next week we can start having visitors and I love exposing the pups to new people (kids!!!).