First Week Puppies: Week 3 Experience

Week 3 included a lot of changes. The puppies are starting to walk well, including peeking out of their whelping box…super cute! Our dam begins to nurse them standing up, which seems to be more comfortable for her, and the puppies are able to reach her fairly easy.

Sloppy food and water were introduced this week. The puppies definitely lay in, play in, and just “experience” both the food and water, so monitoring them closely is good. We have also started noise training: dropping pots and pans repeatedly, playing classical music for them. Anything to help them realize that noises are not something to be scared of.

By the end of this week we have moved the puppies from their whelping box to their first puppy pen. We have to ensure they can’t escape the pen (raise the door height and close the door when the dam is not going in and out and we can watch). The puppies are beginning to have extended time outside the box (in our living room and outside…it is a beautiful summer here).

Because we are able to go outside, we are starting potty training. To do this, we simply take the puppies straight from their pen to grass or a pee pad. They are quickly learning to go potty more outside their pen than inside…but the pee pads in the pen still get used often. We take them out about ~6 times a day (every 2 hours or so).

Our dam is still eating poo and trying to stimulate, but this really isn’t needed as much.

We have introduced toys and are beginning to “play” with the puppies. Some already understand tugging and some really love to chew their small toys. We try to provide different sizes, textures, and sounds.

They are beginning to reach that super-cute commercial-ready puppy phase. They are each developing their own personalities that are very cute to watch! This is the phase to remember as you go through Week 1 and especially days 1-3!