Four weeks old and growing fast! Puppies completely have their legs under them and walk and tumble and run around everywhere. They like to wrestle with each other and we use strips of washcloths with a knot tied in it for chew toys. They are starting to get teeth so mom feeds them less and less, and they have started eating puppy mush from a round bowl which is a very funny and seriously messy event!
The puppies moved into their "big kid bed" this week - an exercise pen in the living room so they can start getting used to sights and sounds of family life. There is a kennel in the corner with the door removed and they all go in there to pile up and sleep together. This set up uses their natural instincts to help start them on both crate training and potty training. The kennel is a safe, happy, cozy place to sleep and they don't potty where they sleep. They have also had their first few trips outside to play in the grass, which they think is a lot of fun, and they are starting to get supervised times to wander around and explore parts of the house. We go through a LOT of paper towels and clorox wipes these days.
Socialization at this age comes a few different ways. We continue to handle and cuddle and play with each puppy twice a day, practicing grooming and touching teeth, toes, bellies, faces, and ears. We also introduce them to different people - so far this week it has been grandmas and people with canes and walkers. They are also learning social skills from each other and the big dogs. Puppy pile wars break out often as they learn how to get along with each other. The big dogs are very careful with the puppies, they will share their toys and let the puppies climb on them and follow them around, but they will also put them in their place if the puppies get too rough or nip too hard. This is an important phase as they start to learn bite inhibition and dog manners.
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