SoftMaple 2004 litter

SoftMaple 2004 litter

Week Six (Days 36-42)
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PUPPIES

+ Growth and development continue

Puppy Toddlers (3 - 6 Weeks) During the Toddler period, puppies emerge on their own from the litter. They venture into the surrounding environment. This emergence from the litter is a gradual and continual learning experience. During this stage of development puppies learn basic behavioral patterns specific to dogs. While playing, they practice different body postures, learning what the postures mean and how they affect their mother and litter mates. They learn what it is like to bite and be bitten, what barking and other vocalizations mean and how to make and use them to establish social relationships with other dogs. Such learning and activity tempers their own biting and vocalizing. From the age of five weeks, the mother teaches her puppies basic manners. They learn to be submissive to her leadership and what behaviors are acceptable. If necessary, she growls, snarls, or snaps at them as a form of discipline. When weaning the litter, for instance, the mother will discipline her puppies so that they will leave her alone. Because the mother disciplines them in a way that they clearly understand, after a few repetitions, the puppies will respond to a mere glare from her. If a pup has not learned to accept leadership (and discipline) in its early interactions with dogs, its training will be more difficult. Puppies that are removed from the nest too early tend to be nervous, more prone to barking and biting, and less responsive to discipline. Often they are aggressive with other dogs. Generally speaking, a puppy taken away from it's mother and litter mates before seven weeks of age, may not realize its full potential as a dog and companion. To maximize the mental and psychological development of puppies, they must remain in the nest with their mother and litter mates until seven weeks of age.

Day 38
October 16

The pups are up and waiting for breakfast

I wormed the pups last night. Before I can worm them, I have to get a weight. The largest pups are now 8 lbs. (Green and Purple boys) The smallest is just over 6 lbs. (Yellow girl) the next smallest is just about 6.5 lbs (pink girl) the other boys are hanging just about 7 lbs (White, Lt Blue, Orange and Red) For some reason this batch of velcro collars I ordered, the colors are different. Its hard to tell in the pictures the difference between the Orange and Red collars. And the White, Yellow and Lt Blue.

You can see more toys and things appearing in the background as the puppy room grows.

Day 39
October 17

Purple boy . . . . . Pink girl

Into the Shark cage so I can clean up the puppy room

2:00pm pictures
Moxi's mom and dad came to visit the pups today.

Red boy and Orange boy with a wing

Day 40
October 18

Lt Blue boy

White Boy

Orange Boy

Yellow Girl

Red Boy

Purple Boy

Green Boy

Pink Girl

Day 41
October 19

This morning the pups went into the crates while I cleaned up

They have had crates in the puppy room that they could go in and out of to get used to. Later we will go for short rides in the car with the crates.

There are two basic types of crates. Plastic molded ones and wire ones.

I like the plastic Vari Kennel. You can see it here at DrFoster&Smith Vari Kennel
Your pup will grow and need a large (24-1/2" W x 36" L x 26" H). Right now your pup fits comfortably in a Medium (21-1/2" W x 27" L x 20" H)
I like these because they are airline approved. Easy to clean. Create a nice safe den for the dog.

I also use the wire crates. You can see them here at Foster&Smith Fold Down Wire Crates
These are great for travel. they fold flat for storage. The large is 26" W. x 42" L. x 30" H. Your pup will be about 24-26 inches at the shoulder. The extra height is head room.

When you crate train, you don't want a huge area for the pup, or he will go in one end of the crate and make a mess. A divider panels change your cage to fit your puppy as he grows. It keeps your puppy in one area of the cage to avoid soiling one end of a big cage. Divider panels

Read more about Crate training your puppy on the Crate Training page.

Crate Training Page