The puppies have outgrown our home. This happens usually during week 7, and it creates a transition in my heart. The owners taking the puppies home ask me frequently if it's hard to see them off. Only a little bit. I love all of these puppies, but have a very high confidence in the families they are going to; and it makes my heart super happy to see the joy of families at pickup. At 8 weeks, I know each family can offer more to each puppy than I can any longer offer to the pups as a litter. So, it's always the right time.
Photo by Petra
There's always one puppy that will learn to climb out of the puppy pens about a week early. They become unstoppable, and by default earn a lot of extra time with me and with the grown dogs. However, today, three or four MORE puppies started to climbing out of the pen. I was wondering what all of the grunts and growls were coming from the Moms, but when I walked out back, there were a handful of pups running in the backyard, and the Moms were not happy about this. So, again, it's just time to see them off.
The main thing I've seen take off developmentally with the puppies this week is their ability to cooperatively play and to accomplish a goal. One year the puppies decided to cooperatively down a soft tunnel I had set up. They had a large group working on the same goal at the same time. Some were chewing off the anchors which were like zip ties. Others were climbing and jumping to flatten it. I have no idea how they communicate; I only see the goal in motion and watch in wonder as they complete it. This year the puppies were cooperatively trying to take down and prevent the first climber from climbing out. They'd start by barking and screaming at her, and then by grabbing her back legs and tail, and pulling her down. It seems like week 7 they begin to identify and cooperate as their own pack. Another day, and many days this week, several of them were digging holes. There are multiple holes in their play area, most of which can only go down or run into cinder block. But they are there. So after all the puppies are gone, I have some holes to fill. They'd all be digging on the same holes together, with gusto, so joyfully. One hole they dug though, was under a part of the ex-pen gate. And I saw a particularly bright girl lay down in the well, roll under the gate, and spring out. A bigger one tried to follow by example but was too big to roll under. They are impressive in their problem solving. We do things along the way from early on to force them to problem solve, but when they start out-sleuthing me in their plans, I know turning 8 weeks is coming right up.
Feeding:
I was able to transition them to dry kibble!!! They eat around 6am, noon, and 6pm or within an hour of those times.
Sleeping:
They are sleeping better through the night, but waking earlier. They had me up at 5:10am this morning. So, if you like to go to bed late, and wake up late, you may want to adjust the feeding times. They waken that early because they are hungry or because they heard another dog in the house up and moving so they decide the whole house needs to get up.
Pottying:
They also are going potty less through the night, so getting better at holding it longer. When potty/sleep training these puppies, just remember that whatever goes in must come out. They poop very shortly after eating, so don't feed them a very late snack unless you want them to wake you up to take them potty. Likewise, don't give them something to drink right before bed. If you are crate training and have them right next to your bed, when you hear them whimpering and wrestless, take them out to potty and then put them right back in the crate. Keep it all business, and no play or cuddles, or they'll keep waking you up for their date night with you.
Training:
Puppies had some time with harnesses, training lines, and are pre-emptively being taught to resist food guarding.
Weights:
At 8 weeks, puppies are 8-12 pounds.
Going home:
Puppies are bathed and nails are clipped just prior to going home. I love these appointments. So fun seeing excited happy people! Maya’s litter: I'm transferring ownership of the dog via AKC registration. With this litter I'm going to put in all of the information and submit the transfer of ownership. You will need to complete the transfer on your end. AKC will try to upsell you, adding new puppy kits, training access, all kinds of things. If you uncheck all of the boxes they automatically check, and just want your AKC registration, you will find that your cost is zero dollars because it was pre-paid by me. One family had thought each family might like to decide if they want the packages and extras, so I'm leaving it up to you. I believe you must complete the registration/transfer from your end to get the VETNET certificate, which should drop in your email box when registration/transfer is completed.
Thank you:
As always, I’d like to say Thank You for choosing us. We hope that our early work, training, and raising of your puppy will dovetail perfectly with all you put in ahead to give you a lifetime of blessing through your dog.
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