INTENTION CANINE

The first two weeks of their lives, before they could hear or see, the puppies were in an extra large crate where they could stay close to their mama. We use a thick dog bed as the base, covered with a blanket that we change each day. Mostly the mama keeps them very clean at that time.

A few days after their eyes opened, we moved them to a large kiddie pool with blankets. They grow fast and need more space as well as the opportunity to start using their new found legs. Mama is still keeping them very clean.

At three weeks old, we began feeding the puppies solid (mushy) food. Of course, they are also with still nursing from their mother. This slowly changes the mother’s “attitude” about cleaning her puppies.

When the mother begins to clean up their poops less frequently (the new poops smell and probably taste very different than ones make solely of mother’s-milk), we change out the blankets for cedar shavings. It keeps them cleaner and drier. It also provides better footing. That’s usually a couple of days before they turn four weeks old.

To prevents the shavings from getting into their food and to be able to remove the inevitable spilled food, we use a large, silicone mat on which we place paper plates with their food. It’s very easy to rinse between feedings. Whenever we feed the puppies we say, “Puppy, puppy, puppy!” and also make a kissing / squeaking noise which is their first lesson in “coming” to a cue word or sound!

When the puppies are around four weeks old, we add a ramp that leads to a new, larger play space. Some puppies have already realized that the world has to be bigger than a 5 foot den, and dedicate quite a bit of time peering over the edge. So, when the ramp is introduced those pups take to it quickly.

When the puppies are able to travel out of it, we no longer feed the puppies in the pool with shavings. This initiates the first “house breaking” experience. Once puppies are not receiving absolute cleaning by their mother, they quickly develop the need to separate where they potty and where they eat, sleep and play. Dogs are a very clean species that, if given the chance, will always consider the den a sacred space where soiling must be avoided.

This next video was shot about 12 hours after we added the ramp, which we did in the evening. The puppies are familiar with their orange mat and are attracted by the “puppy, puppy, puppy” call as well as the kissing / squeaking cue.

Not long after they eat, the puppies will need to go potty. I missed filming the puppy going into the pool, but caught it going potty in the shavings. They are so naturally smart and clean!

You might notice that this ramp is lower than the one from the earlier video (from the evening prior.) During their first night with ramp access, we discovered a few poops in the play area (which happens in the beginning.) We wanted to encourage the puppies to use their shavings, so we installed a much lower ramp which we will be able to raise in a few days.

Yes, those are all big changes and new developments that I’m happy to share here.

Next on the list of tasks – we will be taking Week Four photos which will be posted here within a day or so.