Storm and Skye Litter – Week Five

Fun times outside!

“Busting Loose”

This was a big week for Skye’s young family. We removed the pig rails in the whelping box that help keep the little ones safe from being accidently squished. As we were doing that, several of the pups came over to investigate resulting in a great deal of hand nibbling and cuddling. We also added an extension which has doubled the size of the whelping box from 4x4 feet to 4x8 feet. How luxurious! In one corner, there’s now an area with paper shredding which the little ones are learning to use as a litter box of sorts. This is the first step toward potty training before they can access the yard.

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. The pups spend longer periods of time awake and are using it to develop their strength, co-ordination and cognitive skills as well as learning how to engage in an activity with a littermate, even if it’s just bumping heads. Since their hunting and chasing instincts are emerging, they practice with their siblings or their plush toys.

The weather was perfect to allow the mini pack their inaugural outing to the great outdoors. We put a couple of blankets on the lawn to situate ourselves on so we could take in all the action. Some litters seem a bit overwhelmed with the vastness of the outdoors, but there was no fear with this bunch as though they’d done this a hundred times before. Ever the good mom, Skye provided her famous milkshakes al fresco after which the pups continually climbed over us for licks and cuddles. After a time, they all went off to explore some nearby portions of the yard in every-widening circles, venturing down to the rock garden to assess the potential for scalability. Within minutes of the group’s return inside, the snoring began, confirming the effects of clean country air.

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