Sensory Superstars ✨

As we enter the third week, the puppies are actually starting to resemble real live puppies! Not just furry potatoes anymore, their senses are coming online, and they’re interacting with each other and the world around them in increasingly complex ways.

A Whole New World

@truffleandfriends

♬ Cool Kids (our sped up version) – Echosmith

By the end of this week, the pups’ eyes and ears will be open! They’re beginning to respond to sights and sounds, which is so exciting. We’re careful to introduce them to these new experiences gently. Large toys are now in the whelping box, providing visual stimuli, and we’re speaking softly to them to test their hearing, which is just starting to develop. It’s so cool to see their reaction when they experience a sound for the first time!

Fearless Explorers

Our pups are getting more mobile, pulling themselves up and starting to walk unsteadily. They’re beginning to explore beyond the confines of their whelping box, and at some point this week, a pup will inevitably escape. That’s our cue that they’re ready to graduate to the puppy pen!

Keeping it Clean

As our puppies become more active, cleanliness becomes more challenging but no less critical. We keep the puppy pen pristine with safe and effective cleaning supplies and maintain a rigorous schedule to protect their developing immune systems. We’re also on alert for any signs of discomfort or illness, ready to intervene at the slightest concern.

When You’re a Puppy, Everything’s a Toy

With their senses sharpening, we introduce various toys and textures to stimulate their cognitive and physical development. Anything is fair game, from soft plush toys to a cardboard box, and we rotate in a novel item each day to keep the environment engaging and new.

Social Butterflies

We continue to allow visitors, under strict hygiene protocols, to introduce the puppies to new people in a controlled, safe manner. This socialization is vital as they start recognizing and responding to different humans, which is an essential part of their development into well-adjusted dogs.

Supporting Supermom

Our dedicated dam is doing an incredible job, but she needs support. We monitor her health closely, especially for signs of mastitis, and keep her nutrition high to cope with the demands of nursing. She might be eating four times her usual amount by this point, and she uses it all—she is literally giving the little ones everything she’s got!

As we wrap up this week, we’re preparing for even more changes in Week 4. Our puppies are growing fast, and every day brings something new. Stay tuned for more tales from the whelping box, and thank you for sharing this journey with us!