The transitional period marks the period when puppies open their eyes for the first time and ends when they startle upon hearing sounds, they start to support their own weight, walk around, and begin to play. All puppies develop at different rates so although the transitional period is identified as days 14 - 21 this time may vary from puppy to puppy.
As soon as the puppies eyes open they start to show an interest in their litter mates. Prue's puppies have been starting to climb over and chew on one another!
As they enter the socialisation period the puppies range of vocalisation increases. They start to bark and growl. They may also start to wag their tails. Their teeth begin to emerge which makes it more uncomfortable for the bitch to nurse too.
At around days 16 - 17 the puppies begin eliminating on their own. Their instinct to keep the den clean is strong, and they try to move away to eliminate further away. This is why we are providing two surfaces in our whelping box, the soft warm vetbed and the puppy pads. The puppies don't have to move far to find a toilet area.
The puppies are being handled daily by each of our family members, and Prue is very happy for this to take place.
The puppies are being introduced to novel, tactile items, that 'feel' different - large soft toys, plush toys with crackly materials inside. The most productive enrichment at this stage involves the presentation of novel objects so you get the 'startle, recover, curiosity, exploration cycle. We are presenting objects, letting the puppies interact with them for a few minutes to a few hours and then removing them.
It is during this week that the puppies will be offered milk to lap and pureed meat mixed with milk towards the end of the week.
The puppies are changing so fast and it is fascinating to watch them grow. I'm loving every minute of it.
They are truly amazing x
As soon as the puppies eyes open they start to show an interest in their litter mates. Prue's puppies have been starting to climb over and chew on one another!
As they enter the socialisation period the puppies range of vocalisation increases. They start to bark and growl. They may also start to wag their tails. Their teeth begin to emerge which makes it more uncomfortable for the bitch to nurse too.
At around days 16 - 17 the puppies begin eliminating on their own. Their instinct to keep the den clean is strong, and they try to move away to eliminate further away. This is why we are providing two surfaces in our whelping box, the soft warm vetbed and the puppy pads. The puppies don't have to move far to find a toilet area.
The puppies are being handled daily by each of our family members, and Prue is very happy for this to take place.
The puppies are being introduced to novel, tactile items, that 'feel' different - large soft toys, plush toys with crackly materials inside. The most productive enrichment at this stage involves the presentation of novel objects so you get the 'startle, recover, curiosity, exploration cycle. We are presenting objects, letting the puppies interact with them for a few minutes to a few hours and then removing them.
It is during this week that the puppies will be offered milk to lap and pureed meat mixed with milk towards the end of the week.
The puppies are changing so fast and it is fascinating to watch them grow. I'm loving every minute of it.
They are truly amazing x
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