And we're half way there! Four weeks old today!!!
Still a continuation of eat sleep and repeat for the most part. But wakeful periods after feeding are gradually lengthening. And they're getting inquisitive. They're also getting more agile and starting to pester each other. At times one will get irritated enough to initiate a short lived squabble. Feisty little buggers :-) . Probably getting bored. There's not much to do besides pester each other within the confines of the whelping box. Recently they began exploring the hinges that hold the box together and next realized there is life beyond those walls. Getka helped with that discovery I think. She has been spending increasingly long periods outside the box this week. Generally on the ottoman where she can look down on her pups and they can now see her by standing, holding themselves up with their paws on the top of the wall. Watching them, it almost seems Getka is encouraging them to climb. If not, maybe just teasing them. It became obvious she was beginning the weaning process in earnest Friday evening when she would let their cries go unattended. So, yesterday I began the process of rearranging some furniture in prep for the next phase of puppy rearing. A move from the confines of their familiar whelping box to the pup corral in the neighboring mudroom. It was time and their development right on track when compared to previous litters. Yesterday morning I reentered my bedroom just in time to save Blue (Magic) from a fall from the ottoman. I've had pups climb the walls and end up on the floor in the past without incident but it's something I try to avoid. I was shocked to see Blue out of the box actually. They've been standing against the walls for a few days but I've never witnessed any lift. The new set up is welcome, safer and more age appropriate. They've got a shavings area where they will hopefully learn to relieve themselves, a sling bed with a soft topper (a new addition) and a water station. I also started them on mash yesterday and will be feeding them four times a day for awhile eventually decreasing to 3 times daily and hopefully just twice by the time they're ready to leave the roost. Right now they don't eat a whole lot each meal but that changes pretty quickly. Still in the get acquainted phase. And toys... So far the pups have had no toys because Getka is a destroyer of all toys. And toys small enough for the pups I worry could possibly be swallowed by her. But that changed today too with the addition of some small soft squeakies.
I kind of miss having them in my bedroom with me when I first move them but the mud room at this stage is a better atmosphere for them developmentally. They get the opportunity to see more of the world go by around them. Dogs passing through the room, household noises etc. etc. For the most part they settled right in to their new habitat. They filled their bellies right before the move so were due for a nap. The red boy climbed under the cot and began to whine after being under there on his own for awhile. I'm not sure if because he realized he was alone or because the floor was too chilly. Anyway I coaxed him out from under it and placed him on the bed with the others. He quickly fell asleep and within a few minutes looked quite comfy and content. Beige girl was the most wired up and slowest to settle. she was having fun... and the only one who showed any interest in the toys. They all seem to enjoy the fluffy bed and so far with the exception of one poo have kept it clean. Hopefully that continues. Historically I've only used a sling bed that can just be hosed off as needed but its made of mesh and really holds no heat. Unfortunately the back of the house stays pretty cool so the fluffy bed was added for warmth.
I was hoping to celebrate our 1/2 way mark today with an outdoor photoshoot but in addition to being busy rearranging things, our weather has been crappy. Another few days of rain and cold! Even lost power last night for a few hours. Tomorrow though it supposed to reach near 70 and things started to dry a little throughout the today. So... maybe individual photos and another set of weights tomorrow. The rest of the week through Thursday looks good for some group outdoor adventures too! They are always fun.
Still a continuation of eat sleep and repeat for the most part. But wakeful periods after feeding are gradually lengthening. And they're getting inquisitive. They're also getting more agile and starting to pester each other. At times one will get irritated enough to initiate a short lived squabble. Feisty little buggers :-) . Probably getting bored. There's not much to do besides pester each other within the confines of the whelping box. Recently they began exploring the hinges that hold the box together and next realized there is life beyond those walls. Getka helped with that discovery I think. She has been spending increasingly long periods outside the box this week. Generally on the ottoman where she can look down on her pups and they can now see her by standing, holding themselves up with their paws on the top of the wall. Watching them, it almost seems Getka is encouraging them to climb. If not, maybe just teasing them. It became obvious she was beginning the weaning process in earnest Friday evening when she would let their cries go unattended. So, yesterday I began the process of rearranging some furniture in prep for the next phase of puppy rearing. A move from the confines of their familiar whelping box to the pup corral in the neighboring mudroom. It was time and their development right on track when compared to previous litters. Yesterday morning I reentered my bedroom just in time to save Blue (Magic) from a fall from the ottoman. I've had pups climb the walls and end up on the floor in the past without incident but it's something I try to avoid. I was shocked to see Blue out of the box actually. They've been standing against the walls for a few days but I've never witnessed any lift. The new set up is welcome, safer and more age appropriate. They've got a shavings area where they will hopefully learn to relieve themselves, a sling bed with a soft topper (a new addition) and a water station. I also started them on mash yesterday and will be feeding them four times a day for awhile eventually decreasing to 3 times daily and hopefully just twice by the time they're ready to leave the roost. Right now they don't eat a whole lot each meal but that changes pretty quickly. Still in the get acquainted phase. And toys... So far the pups have had no toys because Getka is a destroyer of all toys. And toys small enough for the pups I worry could possibly be swallowed by her. But that changed today too with the addition of some small soft squeakies.
I kind of miss having them in my bedroom with me when I first move them but the mud room at this stage is a better atmosphere for them developmentally. They get the opportunity to see more of the world go by around them. Dogs passing through the room, household noises etc. etc. For the most part they settled right in to their new habitat. They filled their bellies right before the move so were due for a nap. The red boy climbed under the cot and began to whine after being under there on his own for awhile. I'm not sure if because he realized he was alone or because the floor was too chilly. Anyway I coaxed him out from under it and placed him on the bed with the others. He quickly fell asleep and within a few minutes looked quite comfy and content. Beige girl was the most wired up and slowest to settle. she was having fun... and the only one who showed any interest in the toys. They all seem to enjoy the fluffy bed and so far with the exception of one poo have kept it clean. Hopefully that continues. Historically I've only used a sling bed that can just be hosed off as needed but its made of mesh and really holds no heat. Unfortunately the back of the house stays pretty cool so the fluffy bed was added for warmth.
I was hoping to celebrate our 1/2 way mark today with an outdoor photoshoot but in addition to being busy rearranging things, our weather has been crappy. Another few days of rain and cold! Even lost power last night for a few hours. Tomorrow though it supposed to reach near 70 and things started to dry a little throughout the today. So... maybe individual photos and another set of weights tomorrow. The rest of the week through Thursday looks good for some group outdoor adventures too! They are always fun.
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