WEEKS 6 & 7
At this point, the puppy's muzzle will lengthen and he'll begin to look more like the adults of his breed. His emotions will become apparent, too: He'll whine to show fear, whimper when hurt and bark when he's excited or wants attention.
The mother's role evolves to that of pack leader as her brood matures. Her pups are weaned now, since they have teeth and can eat solid food. She is affectionate and playful with them, teasing them with toys and showing them when to bite and when not to. She lets them know she's the dominant dog and corrects them sharply if they misbehave.
Your puppy's appetite for exploring his environment and learning new things will benefit tremendously if he is given a variety of simple toys to investigate at this stage. He will also play rough and tumble with his littermates, stealing and sharing toys. By this point, he should be spending a short time each day alone with a human, playing gently and learning to relate one-on-one in a safe, trusting situation.
March 25, 2009 (38 days old)
WEANING PROGRESS:
*Maggie is still offering herself freely for nursing
*Pups are now on free feed dry Eukanuba Premium Puppy Lamb and Rice (I didn't like the fact that on Science Diet Dry that their food wasn't fully digested - very stinky poop, and they are starting to scratch. ) IF this doesn't work, I'll dry Innova Large Breed Puppy
*Replacement Milk - I prepare 4 cups water / 2 cups replacement milk once a day (evening time) to help Maggie out. I think today will be the last day.
DEWORMED (New Schedule: Weeks 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10)
Deworming #3 - dewormed Maggie and the pups
NAIL CLIPPING
I can no longer clip their nails by myself. I will need help holding them.
CHANGE FROM RIBBONS AROUND NECK to COLLARS
Need to put collars on their necks and start acclimating them to a leash
PLAY / TOYS
Now have 2 puppy crates. Will get that set up soon.
Also want to set up ramps / stairs for them to practice their coordination and acclimate them to these environment.
There is a blizzard headed our way, so I don't think I'll get them outside for a few days.
WEIGHTS (weights in parens is their last weigh in weight):
Socrates, BM: 7# 6.4oz (4# 1.6oz) Red Ribbon
Raudy, BM: 6# 13.3oz (3# 15.9oz) - was 'Rottie'
Malik, BM: 6# 9.4oz (3# 8.8oz) Yellow Ribbon
Griffin, BM: 6# 9.1oz (3# 11.6oz) Green Ribbon
Willow, BF: 6# 8.2oz (3# 14.3oz) White Ribbon
Phoenix, BM: 5# 14oz(3# 9.6 oz) Blue Ribbon
Peyton, BF: ______ (3# 2.4 oz) Pink Ribbon
Lizzie, YF: 5# 5.5oz (3# 0.7oz) Pink & Lavendar Ribbon
Aspen, YM: 5# 5oz (2# 15.8oz) Blue Ribbon
