Not too much new since my last post. But the pups continue to change before my eyes. It's becoming obvious they're gaining the ability to hear. They bark at unusual or unexpected noises. And they look up at me now when I talk to them. I think their vision is improving too. I'm able to draw their attention while awake either by voice or by scratching the side of the whelping box. And they're getting cuddly. If I sit in the box with them they're quick to walk over and climb on my lap. They're also getting mouthy. Not with me yet but with each other. They're just starting to grasp the concept of play and seem to enjoy batting at and gnawing on each other.
Getka is spending more and more time on the ottoman or even the floor... and at times is sneaking on my bed again. I'm trying to discourage my bed for now. Normally I don't mind. All my dogs are bed dogs based on a rotation system. But Getka still has about a week to go before the pups are ready to start on some solids so I don't want her to neglect her mom duties prematurely for the sake of comfort. The ottoman is hers and serves as her reprieve if she feels she needs one. She's always laying with them when I wake during the night but during the day she's in an out. She's still accommodating and seems she's fulfilling their needs because they're quiet. Probably the quietest litter to date. I have no doubt she finds four easy to deal with when she's managed 12 with ease in the past. Easier for me too... I clipped their nails today mainly just to keep the tips blunt for moms sake. Big difference between doing 16 paws vs 48.
Didn't get the best photos to add to this post but I'm posting them anyway. Because... well it is what it is. I ran into some technical difficulties with my camera. The pups are still maintaining their puppy pile status for the most part, even when awake and playful. And if any in the pile move it blurs the photos. Then to top things off I was playing with the settings this evening and apparently hit a button that made my display disappear. Took me awhile and a little research to figure out how to get it back.
In the link that follows I am including an article that I think is useful for new pup owners regarding socialization. It's one of the best I've come across, if not the best, and I can't stress enough the importance of early socialization for a well balanced dog. Early socialization and lots of it makes all the difference in the world. I hope you'll take the time to read it and take it to heart. It is true you have to use some common sense with young pups until they're four months old and have completed the full series of vaccinations. But if you set your mind to it there are plenty of pretty safe places. Home Depot and Lowes are dog friendly and great places to take your dog simply just to expose them to a completely different environment. Kind of hard... industrial and with automatic sliding entry doors. Typically zero problem for a young pup but far more scary for a six month old dog who's never seen one. I enjoy taking my pups to lunch as well for that exposure and there are many restaurants in Florida with dog friendly outdoor patios. They generally get the opportunity to see people both from a distance and with waitstaff pretty close too. And usually some road and pedestrian activity. But mainly just an opportunity to see the world around them outside of the safe space of home. I tend to avoid places like PetSmart because of the abundance of dogs that traffic them. And NO dog parks! Socialization isn't about playing with other dogs but about exposing your dog to all things you expect them to encounter throughout their time with you. If you enjoy boating, it a whole lot easier to get a 9-12 week pup onboard than it is to introduce such things to a 2 year old. Now is the time to formulate that plan.
Getka is spending more and more time on the ottoman or even the floor... and at times is sneaking on my bed again. I'm trying to discourage my bed for now. Normally I don't mind. All my dogs are bed dogs based on a rotation system. But Getka still has about a week to go before the pups are ready to start on some solids so I don't want her to neglect her mom duties prematurely for the sake of comfort. The ottoman is hers and serves as her reprieve if she feels she needs one. She's always laying with them when I wake during the night but during the day she's in an out. She's still accommodating and seems she's fulfilling their needs because they're quiet. Probably the quietest litter to date. I have no doubt she finds four easy to deal with when she's managed 12 with ease in the past. Easier for me too... I clipped their nails today mainly just to keep the tips blunt for moms sake. Big difference between doing 16 paws vs 48.
Didn't get the best photos to add to this post but I'm posting them anyway. Because... well it is what it is. I ran into some technical difficulties with my camera. The pups are still maintaining their puppy pile status for the most part, even when awake and playful. And if any in the pile move it blurs the photos. Then to top things off I was playing with the settings this evening and apparently hit a button that made my display disappear. Took me awhile and a little research to figure out how to get it back.
In the link that follows I am including an article that I think is useful for new pup owners regarding socialization. It's one of the best I've come across, if not the best, and I can't stress enough the importance of early socialization for a well balanced dog. Early socialization and lots of it makes all the difference in the world. I hope you'll take the time to read it and take it to heart. It is true you have to use some common sense with young pups until they're four months old and have completed the full series of vaccinations. But if you set your mind to it there are plenty of pretty safe places. Home Depot and Lowes are dog friendly and great places to take your dog simply just to expose them to a completely different environment. Kind of hard... industrial and with automatic sliding entry doors. Typically zero problem for a young pup but far more scary for a six month old dog who's never seen one. I enjoy taking my pups to lunch as well for that exposure and there are many restaurants in Florida with dog friendly outdoor patios. They generally get the opportunity to see people both from a distance and with waitstaff pretty close too. And usually some road and pedestrian activity. But mainly just an opportunity to see the world around them outside of the safe space of home. I tend to avoid places like PetSmart because of the abundance of dogs that traffic them. And NO dog parks! Socialization isn't about playing with other dogs but about exposing your dog to all things you expect them to encounter throughout their time with you. If you enjoy boating, it a whole lot easier to get a 9-12 week pup onboard than it is to introduce such things to a 2 year old. Now is the time to formulate that plan.
Socialization
Click the link below
Click the link below
Trying so hard to be accommodating!
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