Our pups are usually placed before a litter is whelped, and we like to keep their permanent families informed with weekly updates throughout the puppies growth and development. Here's the blog from our 2014 litter. (That's Olive in the pink collar!)
Bear's litter, 6/15/14
The pups are growing up fast and turning into very handsome young labs. Now 7 weeks old, they are looking longer in the legs and bodies. They're eating dry puppy kibble and drinking water, augmented by a little bit of mom's milk as Bear continues to want to nurse them once or twice a day. They much prefer to pee and poop on the outside grass - we've had a couple of nights with no messes in their sleeping box which WE think is pretty remarkable! All are very tuned in to human voices and come running when we call them (most of the time.) We are having much fun playing with these active youngsters - and they are spending more time with Zeus, which is also fun to watch. They are on track to make a very successful transition to their new homes and families next week. We're going to miss them!
The pups are growing up fast and turning into very handsome young labs. Now 7 weeks old, they are looking longer in the legs and bodies. They're eating dry puppy kibble and drinking water, augmented by a little bit of mom's milk as Bear continues to want to nurse them once or twice a day. They much prefer to pee and poop on the outside grass - we've had a couple of nights with no messes in their sleeping box which WE think is pretty remarkable! All are very tuned in to human voices and come running when we call them (most of the time.) We are having much fun playing with these active youngsters - and they are spending more time with Zeus, which is also fun to watch. They are on track to make a very successful transition to their new homes and families next week. We're going to miss them!
Bear's litter, 6/8/14
The puppies all met their families last weekend and now we can call them by name. They continue to grow and learn new things: All are making real progress toward doing their business outside, and they've graduated to eating moist puppy chow - no more food processor duty for us! Bigger puppies and warmer weather also means they can spend more time in their indoor/outdoor "run" - a welcome change from the whelping box for these active youngsters. We also keep them mentally stimulated with balls, toys and objects to climb. Bear now allows Zeus more time to come and hang with the kids. She continues to keep them clean and nurses them once or twice a day - but their main diet is now puppy chow and water, as it should be.
The puppies all met their families last weekend and now we can call them by name. They continue to grow and learn new things: All are making real progress toward doing their business outside, and they've graduated to eating moist puppy chow - no more food processor duty for us! Bigger puppies and warmer weather also means they can spend more time in their indoor/outdoor "run" - a welcome change from the whelping box for these active youngsters. We also keep them mentally stimulated with balls, toys and objects to climb. Bear now allows Zeus more time to come and hang with the kids. She continues to keep them clean and nurses them once or twice a day - but their main diet is now puppy chow and water, as it should be.
Bear's litter, 5/26/14
Last week was very exciting for the puppies. For one thing, they got their first taste of solid food - several days of rice cereal and evaporated milk which we gradually transitioned to wet, ground puppy chow. All are eating like champs. They also made a trip to the vet for weighing and worming and all are hale and hearty. The nice weather meant play and chow time outside. The puppies enjoy exploring the back yard and hose, and when they get pooped out they like to snuggle up for nap time. Bear still nurses and keeps them clean, but with the weaning process started she's also enjoying more time on her own.
Last week was very exciting for the puppies. For one thing, they got their first taste of solid food - several days of rice cereal and evaporated milk which we gradually transitioned to wet, ground puppy chow. All are eating like champs. They also made a trip to the vet for weighing and worming and all are hale and hearty. The nice weather meant play and chow time outside. The puppies enjoy exploring the back yard and hose, and when they get pooped out they like to snuggle up for nap time. Bear still nurses and keeps them clean, but with the weaning process started she's also enjoying more time on her own.
Bear's litter, 5/18/14
Now this is what puppies are supposed to do! With their eyes and ears wide open, these pups have become curious and active explorers. They are becoming aware of their environment, so we will occasionally move them out of the whelping box and into a baby pool in our great room, near the kitchen and bedrooms. The idea is to get them accustomed to typical home noises like doors closing, pots and pans clattering and phones ringing. They seem to be loving it. We tried to get shots of them to show the increased activity, but the vast majority of time is still spent sleeping - and so it will be for a while.
Now this is what puppies are supposed to do! With their eyes and ears wide open, these pups have become curious and active explorers. They are becoming aware of their environment, so we will occasionally move them out of the whelping box and into a baby pool in our great room, near the kitchen and bedrooms. The idea is to get them accustomed to typical home noises like doors closing, pots and pans clattering and phones ringing. They seem to be loving it. We tried to get shots of them to show the increased activity, but the vast majority of time is still spent sleeping - and so it will be for a while.
Bear's litter, 5/11/14
The puppies are now a few hours shy of two weeks old and big changes are starting to happen. This morning, a couple of pups opened their eyes - we expect all to be showing us their peepers by this time tomorrow. And many are taking their first wobbly steps, so life in the whelping box is about to become much more animated. For now though, the regimen remains eat, sleep, eat, sleep. Supermom Bear keeps them well fed and whistle-clean as always.
The puppies are now a few hours shy of two weeks old and big changes are starting to happen. This morning, a couple of pups opened their eyes - we expect all to be showing us their peepers by this time tomorrow. And many are taking their first wobbly steps, so life in the whelping box is about to become much more animated. For now though, the regimen remains eat, sleep, eat, sleep. Supermom Bear keeps them well fed and whistle-clean as always.
Bear's litter, 5/1/14
What a difference three days makes. The puppies' ears are getting longer and furrier and noses and paws are starting to turn brown. They spend all day eating and sleeping - and they won't be doing much else for a while longer. Even though they can't see or hear, they can smell their mom and shuffle over to nurse whenever she's in the box. Bear keeps them very clean and warm, and we're having fun holding them too.
What a difference three days makes. The puppies' ears are getting longer and furrier and noses and paws are starting to turn brown. They spend all day eating and sleeping - and they won't be doing much else for a while longer. Even though they can't see or hear, they can smell their mom and shuffle over to nurse whenever she's in the box. Bear keeps them very clean and warm, and we're having fun holding them too.