Week 1 - Feed, Sleep, Repeat
Puppies enter the world with a unique set of challenges; they are born blind and deaf, relying entirely on their mother's care. Additionally, they are unable to regulate their body temperature, making them dependent on warmth and comfort during their early days. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maternal bonding and nurturing in their development, they depend entirely on their mother for all their needs and a cozy spot for warmth. Throughout this initial week, their energy will focus on sleeping and feeding to gain weight and grow stronger.
For us as breeders, this is an intense time marked by sleepless nights dedicated to ensuring that both the puppies and their mother receive everything they require. We remain by their side around the clock, making certain that each puppy gets the crucial first feeding, which is essential for their development in the weeks ahead.
For us as breeders, this is an intense time marked by sleepless nights dedicated to ensuring that both the puppies and their mother receive everything they require. We remain by their side around the clock, making certain that each puppy gets the crucial first feeding, which is essential for their development in the weeks ahead.
Week 2- Ears, Eyes, Nose and Toes
Around the midpoint of a puppy's second week, their eyes will begin to open, and although their vision may be somewhat blurry at first, it will soon sharpen, allowing them to better perceive their surroundings. At this stage, a puppy's hearing will also start to improve; until now, they could only detect vibrations, but by approximately 2 ½ to three weeks old, they will hear clearly.
Their front legs will gain the strength to support their weight, making it easier for them to search for their mother and the next milk feeding!
Their front legs will gain the strength to support their weight, making it easier for them to search for their mother and the next milk feeding!
Week 3- Playing, Teething and Weaning
In week three, puppies begin to strengthen both their front and back legs, allowing them to fully support their own bodies. This newfound stability enables them to explore their surroundings, and playtime truly begins! They will start interacting and investigating with their siblings, becoming less dependent on their mother for warmth, although they are still a bit wobbly.
Additionally, this week marks the appearance of their sharp little puppy teeth, signalling that it's time to initiate the weaning process. During this phase, the puppies will gradually be introduced to a mushy meal made from puppy starter, which we further dilute with hot water (allowing it to cool before serving it to them). They absolutely love it, although most of the time, they end up wearing more of it than they eat!
Additionally, this week marks the appearance of their sharp little puppy teeth, signalling that it's time to initiate the weaning process. During this phase, the puppies will gradually be introduced to a mushy meal made from puppy starter, which we further dilute with hot water (allowing it to cool before serving it to them). They absolutely love it, although most of the time, they end up wearing more of it than they eat!
Week 4/5- New things, New people and New surroundings
With all their senses fully developed, puppies at this age learn primarily through play. Additionally, it’s an ideal time to begin introducing to new stimuli, such as sounds. We often add and interchange new toys for them to interact with which can also help with gaining their confidence.
At this stage, we gradually introduce small puppy pellets soaked in hot water—making sure to let them cool before serving—mixed with the same puppy starter, twice a day!
This gentle transition helps the puppies adjust to solid food while still providing the familiar taste and nutrition they are accustomed to. As they grow, their curiosity about new textures and flavors increases, and mealtime becomes an exciting adventure. Watching them eagerly dive into their bowls with wagging tails is a joyful reminder of their rapid development and growing independence. It's important to monitor each puppy's reaction to the new diet, ensuring they are all thriving and adjusting well. As they become more confident eaters, we can gradually reduce the water content, moving them towards a fully solid diet. This nurturing process sets the foundation for healthy eating habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.
At this stage, we gradually introduce small puppy pellets soaked in hot water—making sure to let them cool before serving—mixed with the same puppy starter, twice a day!
This gentle transition helps the puppies adjust to solid food while still providing the familiar taste and nutrition they are accustomed to. As they grow, their curiosity about new textures and flavors increases, and mealtime becomes an exciting adventure. Watching them eagerly dive into their bowls with wagging tails is a joyful reminder of their rapid development and growing independence. It's important to monitor each puppy's reaction to the new diet, ensuring they are all thriving and adjusting well. As they become more confident eaters, we can gradually reduce the water content, moving them towards a fully solid diet. This nurturing process sets the foundation for healthy eating habits that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Week 6-7 Learning and Loving life
They are becoming physically stronger and more coordinated, engaging in increased playtime with their littermates. Play is a vital aspect of their development, as these interactions not only promote physical growth but also serve as their initial opportunities to socialise with other dogs.
At this stage, puppies are almost fully weaned, obtaining most of their nutrients from solid food and needing less milk from their mother. This allows her to take some time away from her puppies, though she still plays a crucial role in fostering positive interactions with other dogs and building their confidence in new experiences.
While puppies remain eager to explore their environment, by six weeks old, they begin to show more caution towards unfamiliar situations. Therefore, it’s essential to support them appropriately as they encounter new things.
puppy visits
At this stage, puppies are almost fully weaned, obtaining most of their nutrients from solid food and needing less milk from their mother. This allows her to take some time away from her puppies, though she still plays a crucial role in fostering positive interactions with other dogs and building their confidence in new experiences.
While puppies remain eager to explore their environment, by six weeks old, they begin to show more caution towards unfamiliar situations. Therefore, it’s essential to support them appropriately as they encounter new things.
puppy visits
