This week went differently than I planned for. I tried to transition from wet kibble to dry kibble, and the puppies didn't eat well. A couple developed weird stools. They were due for deworming so I dewormed them (has been done at 2, 4, & 6 weeks). They continued to lag in eating. Unsure if there was a problem, I didn't put harnesses and leads on them because I didn't want anything else that could carry, track and transmit germs added to the picture. The puppies kept up their playfulness and pranks. They were vet checked, and the vet said every one from both litters looks healthy and great. I brought the grossest stool sample I could find to the vet and had it sent to the lab for evaluation. It came back normal, no problem. Meanwhile, the puppies picked up their appetite later in the week, and are trying to make up for lost time in food, but they had smaller weight gains this week. Temperament testing was done on Maya's litter and the Service Dog agency has done their pick. Puppies are being matched and appointments are happening with families to meet their puppy. Puppies now head home in about a week!
Vet check - Our vet doesn't allow us to go in to appointments because of COVID, so they took our first litter in, and were back for the second litter. I said "wow that was really fast!" The vet said 'There was nothing wrong! No hernias, no murmurs; everyone looks healthy!' And then they checked the second litter and said the same. So all puppies are ready for matching and going to new homes.
Food: I will keep trying to get puppies on dry kibble this week, and I'll update where they are at. For now, they are on Nutro Ultra Puppy kibble, softened with water. As I’m giving a feeding, I prepare the next with kibble and water in a bowl, cover it and put it in the fridge to soften, because it usually takes at least half an hour for the kibbles to absorb all of the water and soften. Hopefully they’ll be on dry kibble when they go home, but that depends on how they respond to a transition attempt this week. I’ll let you know at going home!
Training:
Potty training: Puppies are doing pretty well with potty training, hitting the mark most of the time.
Clicker training: Puppies have been exposed to the clicker and it has been charged, so they know when they hear it, it's a really good thing. The treat I found most useful with them is tiny bits of string cheese. They are motivated for it and can readily take it from my hand.
Environmental: We've still been playing noise habituation tracks for them to normalize what sounds are common to families living in urban/suburban places.
Visitors: I had high hopes of having a caravan of carefully selected visitors of various ages and backgrounds over the past two weeks, but so many people we know were sick or exposed to sick people that visitors were minimal.
Logistics:
Over the next few days, you will meet/choose your puppy! I can give you their microchip number at that meeting. I'll need you to fill out a paper with your puppy owner(s) & contact information to go to the microchip registry and to AKC if you are getting a puppy from Maya's litter. Contracts will go out this weekend. I need them signed and final payment made by 1/11. Going home is 1/13-1/15 unless special arrangements have been made. It's almost time!!! Be sure you home is puppy proofed, your puppy has a sleep spot, potty spot, safe enclosure, name tag & collar (current collars are 9-12" adjustable and have some room) and safe way to travel in your car (main options: secured crate, or harness with seatbelt tether). Looking forward to meeting you all!
Someone asked about collar size: Their current collars are adjustable
9-12” and they have some room.
Weights @ 7 weeks old:
Maya’s ~ 7 - 8 1/2# Gloria’s ~ 6 1/2 - 8 1/2#
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