The pups are now 6 weeks old. They started out the week like little bunny rabbits hoping here and there...well, maybe more like Jack Rabbits...because they can hop about 90 miles an hour! The weather has not allowed them to be outside so they have become "free range puppies" roaming the living room, dining room and kitchen 3-4 times a day. They run back to their pen to potty in the newspaper/cedar chips and then scamper back checking everything out as they go. "Checking everything out" mainly consists of putting everything they can see into their mouths...much like a toddler. Ouch...no you can't eat toes! All electrical cords up and out of the way....the place looks pretty safe! Bailey the cocker looks like fair game to them as he is loaded with tugable coat and ears! Bailey is pretty quick on his feet and up on his perch (the back of the couch) far from inquisitive mouths and sharp teeth.
This week the pups took on tug toys and adult size squeakies! Tip was carrying a soft cloth ball with nubbies that looked bigger than him. He just lifted his head as high as he could and off he went! The tugs get take most of the damage as they pull against each other, killing and shaking the ends of the tug. All puppies excel at this!
Kwill has begun to discipline the puppies and also wean them. She has taken toys away from them and given "growlies" to them when they try to take them from her....after a few minutes she lets them have the toy and then goes and finds another one and another puppy. She also has a soft heart and allows them to play tug a war with the hair around her face! She has them on a feeding routine and has taken away any extra milk bar privileges. When they try to nurse when it's not time she corrects them. She wants to control when they eat and only lets them nurse about 3 times a day. She is still with them about 75% of their day, but sleeping separate at night. She is also showing them how to problem solve. One time, when I opened their pen, several of them were still at the front of the pen asking to get out. They didn't realize the gate on the side was open. Kwill walked back and forth, in and out until they all followed her out the side. I think it took her 4 trips to get them to all follow her.
Some of the other dogs have begun to spend time with the puppies. Auntie Spell and Uncle Drum have both been gently playing with them. Spell gets a little frustrated when I won't let her take all the puppy toys away to her hiding place, but she doesn't seem to mind when Dip or Zip declare them selves king of the mountain as they try to scale her back and shoulders....sliding quickly down hill like sleders on a slippery slope! Drum will lay and play whom ever is attacking him and his is very gentle. I even caught cousin Muffet trying to clean puppies ears...not that they needed it. Kwill still keeps those puppies spic n span!
As the week moves forward day by day the puppies are all increasing the amount of time they spend trotting and do less and less bunny hopping. We are seeing some very good coming and going and beginnings of some nice balanced side gait. The plans for the next few days are to get the puppies outside on the "play ground", get their first shots, additional worming and end the week with temperament testing! We should have a report this time next week, but in the mean time please check back as we will get 6 week old pictures taken as soon as the weather breaks.
One final note, we have had several inquiries as to what puppies are available. All the girls are spoken for and so is Zip. We have Zoom, Tip and Dash all available.
Tip would love to go to a performance home and maybe to be shown in the breed ring if someone choose to. His structure and movement are very nice. He is just a smaller package! Of course, I pointed out before that means nothing. His Grandfather Khaos was also small as a puppy and he turned out to be of nice, moderate size.
Zoom is a blue eyed, blue merle boy and is super loving, very playful with good drive, but a nice off switch. He is very middle of the pack, flashy and would make a very nice addition to the right family.
Lastly, Dash is available to a show home... he has very nice movement and lovely structure! He would also make a very nice JR's dog for someone who wants to start a dog from the beginning.
janine
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