Storm and Chanel Litter – Week Five

“Friends for Life”

The dynamic in the whelping box is evolving. This is the beginning of the most influential socialization period for the puppies. They’re learning to communicate with each other and with us by wagging their tails. With the increased control over their facial muscles, they are making expressions and are beginning to reveal their personalities and communicate their opinions. They spend longer periods of time awake and they use it to engage in some manner of play with their siblings whether head-butting or wrestling. They’re also craving a lot of attention and affection. When we were removing the pig rails from the whelping box, the puppies came to investigate with a perfect blend of caution and curiousity. This gave way to a great deal of hand nibbling and cuddling. In short, they’re making friends - both with us and each other, not to mention their little stuffed toys.

Since the little ones are getting more accustomed to eating solid food, their food is being prepared a bit dryer and they are drinking plenty of water to keep hydrated. Now that the food isn’t as messy, fewer cleanups are required. Of course, Chanel still nurses the puppies to supplement their diet. Another change in the pups’ habitat was the addition of shredded paper to the whelping box extension which is their first step toward house training. 

This group has been a fairly quiet and well-behaved litter despite the numerous escape attempts and another one this week by Mr. Torch. In the past, we’ve had some little ones that screech almost from the day they’re born until the day they leave. Mind you, their forever families assure us that they’re quiet once they leave here. Let’s hope!

That’s it for now, but be sure to join us next week for another regal installment of “Puppy Tales”.