Forgive me for no week 5 update. For those of you long time owners, you already know this. For you new owners, I have a family member very dear to all of us that has been battling a terminal illness. We started hospice for him and although we have several months yet, we have been working to make sure he is comfortable, loved, and in no pain. The puppies were wonderful to come home too. Jeff has been holding down the fort and making sure all continues to go as planned for the love and care of puppies. I am the person who updates the web pages and blog; so that part is running slower I am afraid. I take the pictures (which is why you see Jeff in so many of the shots J )…
Today, is officially week 6 that begins with their first set of shots and microchipping at our vet clinic. The puppies all had a bath and their nails clipped. All the puppies are I think “spoken for” and going to the perfect homes. Sometimes we have someone that does not send in payment or changes plans but I think they are all spoken for at this point. I could have sworn that Bubbles would go to an older woman looking for companionship, but we shall wait and see. She will do great with a family but that was just my feeling on her.
This week will unfold to be very busy on our end! We go to solid food, begin to wean off Libby, visit Vet and just romp and explore and learn this week. We will be pondering Libby’s desexing as well; as we chat with the vet about the best time for her health wise..thank you Libby for the wonderful puppies you have produced! Time to go strictly queen of my lap and queen mother to others.
This is THE week in the puppy world for finalizing their pack order, learning the rules of the road by mom, auntie Belle and Chief correction, This is when the pack starts saying you were a cute puppy but lets understand the rules. This is very important in their development as they move from our pack to yours.
We finalize payments, start pondering shipment, de-sexing this week and puppies venture into the world more. Our backyard sectioned as puppy/dog proof fully enclosed and no other animal other than ours has ventured in. Wha-hooo! It is fun to watch their noses go “wild” as they experience the new smells and sights and sounds. They will start watching the doggie door with a tilt in their head.. you can almost read them as they think.. where did the older dogs go? And .. shortly after that..how can I do that?
I so love the whole development period but; sigh; this is my favorite week as they move to being a full on baby dog, personalities really unfold and “Kleenex” we prepare them to leave the nest.
At the end of this week they will move from exploring a crate all together; which is fun and to me they like to all crawl into the cave… it helps them like the crate.. to spend time by themselves in their own “crate” so they can prepare for coming to you and being away from the pack. We expose them to noises they might hear on planes (a truck ride with mom is included) just so they will not be stressed. They then are rewarded and loved.. it is all part of our process to prepare them.
They start out hating the separation in their crate but in the end they get comfortable and we reward them for being good puppies with romps and love. They also are listening to Norah Jones and lately some Van Morrison, the TV and are exposed to almost all the typical house sounds. The Vacuum is not one of them, as we have solid floors downstairs.. although it run it upstairs so they can hear it.
They do get exposed to a hair dryer during the grooming/bathing process; but I prefer to let them dry naturally in the sun if the weather is permitting. Other Dishwasher,
Food wise the are slowly being added a bit of dry food to the wet; and get a bit of some slightly cooked ground venison added to their meal to help them with the teething process and num num “fresh meat”.
Ugodog is what they naturally use to go potty and helps in the beginning training process. More coming later but the puppies with no work from me are all going there the majority of the time.
By now, you should have all completed your puppy application, are thinking of names and are reading up to prepare for the most awesome puppies..not that I am partial or anything. You have sent me your family scent blankets and picked out names for registration. You are shopping for the basics but not going crazy!!! A good crate, puppy shampoo, grooming tools, old blankets and towels and most important “training materials”. Hopefully you’re also getting a puppy ID tag and preparing for the leash, collar, and packing the “picking up puppy” materials that I list on my resource site. Teething Toys, bowls, your vet visit should also be on your to do list. Our second grade neighbor continues to come to visit with puppies and let them experience children. She is wonderful and I consider her one of the “socialization team” along with our puppies and cat, Elsa who they might meet later this week.
As always, I wish you as much success, love and magical moments as our Labradoodles bring us. And, remember, you all promised you would stay in contact and send me pictures!!! We are here for the duration.
~Vicky
