Week 3
The puppies took their development, both physical and mental, to new levels this week!
The last day of ENS was 10.5 (Mon). All three puppies have demonstrated a startle response to loud sounds so we know all three can now hear. That means we have moved into the critical socialization period, which encompasses weeks 3-16 of a puppy’s life. This is a period when the puppy’s brain rapidly forms connections with its permanent world. It is a time when we can heavily influence how a puppy will respond to its world. To do this, we will expose the puppies to quality interactions with new people, places, things, and experiences every single day. This could mean an interactive toy in their living space, a larger box/pen, different surfaces to walk on, visitors who have different characteristics, sound desensitization protocols, crate training, clicker training, moving their living space into our common living area, going outside, riding in the car, going on outings, the puppy party, and anything else we can think of! We focus on offering pleasant, quality experiences which allow the puppies to participate at their own pace.
They are consistently pottying on their own, no longer reliant on Mama to stimulate their elimination systems (although she still cleans them). Since they are able to potty on their own, we have introduced a nest and potty grate to their box. Puppies instinctively want to keep their sleeping area clean, but they are only able to take one step off their nest before that urge can no longer be controlled. This is the first step in making potty training easier for their families!
They are starting to toddle around, up on all paws. As they move around, they have discovered each other and are starting to interact with one another. It’s a lot of fun to watch them discover their world! Make sure you check the videos on our YouTube Channel.
Coming soon:
*A larger pen
*The caterpillar!
*Moving to our great room (combo family room/eat-in kitchen) where my grandchildren play, we watch tv, and we cook/eat our meals. Lots of new sounds and smells!
*Continued husbandry to prepare them for a lifetime of grooming.
*Towards the end of the week, if Mama allows, we’ll introduce the pups to our resident Nanny, Uncle Tempo.
