In and Out Crew

Each blog I have posted about the pups. Now I will talk to you about the moms and their experience.

We had a friend over that has Murphy, our late Katsura's brother. Sage and Spirit was beside themselves. They didn't know what was happening with their pups. Cinnamon is not a first time mom so she felt secure that the pups would be safe and coming back.

We didn't think this process through. Of course with a dog that doesn't live here and the pups in an xpen outside was not something they trusted at this age. They were delighted when they came back in. They are not ready for strange dogs and exposures. We don't usually do this at this age but it was the last very warm day left. We wanted to give the pups the outdoor experience before deep cold sets in. We had a friend coming over so it all unfolded. It was a great experience for the pups and moms do need to understand the process. But they need to when older. Glad they had this experience. It was not a bust even for the moms.

There is a reason why we do 6 plus weeks as the moms have a lot of experience with the pups and other dogs that live here and the exposures. They are still in the vulnerable stage according to new moms. They were not bad. They just non stopped barked to tell Murphy keep your distance. So, they went inside and we finished the visit. When the visit finished, the moms were delighted they were back.

I believe in telling you it all as it unfolds. I am not sure Spirit has left her baby since but this will get easier each time. Singletons...

By the way, Sage still thinks the puppy she was nursing of Cinnamons is hers too. You can tell.

Be sure to check out the videos.

In and Out

This is Cinnamon's littlest boy. He was outside today. All those exposed to outdoors across the board did well.

Here is the gallery.

The pups are really playful. They eat, pee, sleep and do it again! Some are playing well with the toys too!

Be sure to check out the videos.

4 Weeks 1 Day Old

I have to say Cinnamon is a grand mom. She lets them crawl all over her and cuddle up.

Here is the gallery.

They are playing like crazy. They eat quite well and sleep all over. It's a riot. We have some real characters in this group! I just so love them!

Here are the videos.

4 Weeks Old

Here is the gallery.

Active, playing, doing well... that they are. We have some real characters.You are going to love all 3 litters. They did get their nails done. You will see in the videos when I get them up.

I must admit, I can't wait till next week when they go upstairs to play. Going to be fun!

1 Day Till 4 Weeks

They do rather well outside of the xpen when the area is getting cleaned. In the next week, we will try them upstairs. Now that will be fun. The pups are doing well at getting solid on their feet and perfecting their play.

Here is the gallery.

Going to work on videos now.

2 More Days Till 4 Weeks

Here is the gallery.

It is hard to believe this is the youngest crew. They now know when I open the door to teh xpen, that means pad and mom and eating. LOL They are conditioned!

The littlest boy enjoys the crate and bedding. He's the 1st one to really enjoy the crate. Tomorrow we will try Spirit's gal in with them. How do you think they will do?

Be sure to check out the videos.

3.5 Weeks Old

Here is the gallery.

We have redesigned where to put the pads to enable us to make it easier for success. We seem to do this with every litter but where we put them varies for whatever reason to get to that goal.

If you watch the videos, you will see that we wash and reset up the pens daily. Throughout the day we change this blanket or that. You will see in some of the videos that the pups are out walking around while the pen is getting cleaned. This allows the area to be cleaned without interference and it exposes them to a whole new world. Throughout their time here they will have exposures to many rooms, many things - all in our plan to help them to be confident with changes.

If you ever have any questions, post and I will respond.

3 Weeks 3 Days Old

It's fun to catch them in moments like this.

See the gallery.

The pups had a visit from Spirit's gal today. You can see it in the video.

This crew has taken to solid food well and some are trying the water. Some even make it to the pad. In the last couple of days they have increased their play much liek Sage's crew. They are on track. Between now and 4 plus weeks you will see a huge change much like happened with Spirit's gal.

Play and Fun Now

This was the littlest boy. He entertains himself. It's a riot. What a personality!

Here is the gallery.

They are starting to get the pad and they eat solids the best, still. The play has truly begun. They eat, they play, they sleep. As each day goes by, they extend that play time. They are also sleeping longer.

I just watched several after a feeding really walk decently. They must be walking well before having Spirit's in with them otherwise she will bowl them over. Soon....

Be sure to watch the videos.

Three Weeks 1 Day Old

I have a big plant behind this pen that is dropping leaves by the minute, or so it seems. It is hard to access so today I was cutting down some of the dead leaves from trying to stop them from dropping and I vacuumed in a big way. What got me super motivated? This boy above was trying to mouth and eat one of the leaves. It is harmless but still. I looked at it in one of the videos and went wow such a mess but I still put it up cause cleanup is part of it. LOL

Here is the gallery.

This crew is truly eating solid food well. I think over and above the other 2 litters, they are most vested in eating solids - at least for now. They all get there eventually and when they eat is no indicator of anything except they like to eat.

They are starting to get more sure-footed and some are using the pad. One has even decide the way to go is to have 2 feet off the pad and 2 feet on. I think it gives her more stability. They do figure it out.

When they eat food, their bowels change. No one is having any issue. What this means is they are all doing well. This is a time consuming stage as each feeding you put them on the pad before eating then put them on the pad after eating and you clean up. I do this each feeding times 3 though Spirit's pup usually makes it to the pad herself but she is 1 week older.

We have some really wonderful personalities and I can't wait till it all unfolds.

Be sure to check out the videos.

3 Weeks Old

This is first born. She is very smart. Why do I know? I often protect the 2 top milk stations with my fingers over the stations and she has figured out how to go underneath and grab the milk station FAST. I so laugh as her siblings were not as creative as her. She makes me laugh. I guess there is something about being first.

Here is the gallery.

This crew also tried food but nathan was running out of gas, so to speak. So, I think tomorrwo we will start with this crew. Still, some did eat. You will have to watch the video to see who was relishing it.

1 Day Shy of 3 Weeks

Cinnamon would be the happiest if she could feed them 24/7 and sleep with them. I do let her do it at times but I try to extend feeding to 3 hours. I let the pups tell me when they are hungry by 1st waking up. She will go in and wake them up to feed.

Here is the gallery.

Pups are engaging with each other especially after eating. It's getting way cute.

Be sure to check out the videos.

Two Days Shy of 3 Weeks

Here is the gallery.

This is the youngest but they too are already starting to play. They are truly gaining well. In a few days we will put a couple of pups into Sage's area for some social interaction. We are about to begin the process of merging them all in one play area.

Cinnamon's pen may remain for feeding or may come down in a week or so and the divider between Spirit and Sage's will come down and all 3 litters will be playing during the day in that area. There is a plan. We have done this before and the pups are more everything due to it.

Be sure to watch the videos.

Exciting times will come in the next week or so.

18 Days Old

Here is the gallery.

3 days less than 3 weeks and they are out of their whelping box. They are doing well with it too.

Momma Cinnamon still wants to feed them non stop so we close the pen for 2 to 3 hours and when they start waking up, she goes in. This gives pups time to rest and grow and gives Cinnamon a rest and she doesn't end up sore from non stop feeding.

The pups walk through her hair and make it look a mess. So each day I comb out all 3 moms. You get to see the before and after as I do not believe in perfection. There is real life. Some people stage shots. I capture life as it is.

I think I would want to see photos that contain what you see at the moment.

These pups are pretty mobile. They do sleep well. Their bellies are getting full each feeding. The littlest boy, who is adorable, I may add is gaining an ounce a day.

This crew is filled with characters. It's going to be interesting when they get to the 4 week mark.

Here are the videos.

17 Days Old

When you have a lot of pups competing for the milkbar, you start to see personalities unfold. We have 2 that want ALL the milkbars till the milk arrives and then they settle in but until then, they are hunting and trying to take over spots. It is also interesting to see who won't allow such things to occur and those that will.

Here is the gallery.

This is how they learn - interacting with each other. They actually have a benefit even though you may not think so. They learn how to manuever a variety of personalities. When all 3 litters are together, they will as well. This crew will have a headstart.

There is nothing like a large litter to help the complacent, the more determined along its way. Personalities are core but they unfold with experiences. They perfect their skills and become more than they were the day before. It is one of the most exciting times when they are placed together. What you see at 6 weeks will change at 8 weeks.

It is going to be fun watching the crew of 12 as one.

Here are the videos.

16 Days Old

This bunch really really is doing a good job at getting themselves mobile by walking. Good ones, little ones. Each time mom gets near and they see her, up they go scrambling to get to her. It's a riot.

Here is a small gallery.

They had a visit today. Spirit's pup joined them and she looked around and went oh boy lots of those and just looked. It was a riot. That is what conditioning is about.

Be sure to check out the videos.

15 Days Old

This was taken last night but thought I would post it as it is downright funny. Forget how messy they are. I did brush them as i did this morning as well. Pups tend to make them messy. This is sage in Cinnamon's whelping box. Sage is feeding a couple of Cinnamon's pups and Cinnamon is feeding the rest. Cinnamon is looking at me as if to say - what the hey.

Here is the gallery.

I want you to know the pups are very agile and doing the drunken sailor walk. It's a riot.

Check out the videos.

Two Weeks Old: Eyes Open

This is the littlest boy and he was the 2nd to last to open his eyes. For 2 days he had squinty eyes. Here is his gallery. He eats and gets a round belly and grows. He is edging up on being a pound in the next day or so. This is the last one to open her eyes but when she did, they were WIDE open. LOL She is the 5th born. Here is the gallery.

Now all of her pups have their eyes open. See the gallery.

The only problem is Cinnamon wants to feed them 24/7 so I have now blocked her from access for 2 hours. This way they get more milk and she gets a break. She is such a good mom, she can't help herself.

Videos are up.

More Eyes Open 13 Days Old

We only have 2 left without eyes open. Maybe tonight. This is the 1st born. Here is her gallery.

This is 4th born with the shorter blaze on her chest. This is her gallery.

Later I will be getting videos up and here is the main gallery.

We now have a wait and see when they will open their eyes for the longer blaze on chest gal and the littlest boy. We will see how it unfolds.

12 Days: More Eyes Open

This is the 7th born gal who now has her eyes open. As you can see, she is not truly black. Here is the gallery.

She was the littlest next to the little boy.

This is the 2nd born boy. He also had his eyes open. He is a brindle. I think, at this time, he is Cinnamon's largest. He loves to eat. LOL Here is the gallery.

I thought the littlest boy would have his eyes open before these two as he has squinty eyes but maybe by tonight.

Here is the gallery of all the litter today.

Pups are gaining but not as much as the day before. I figure that is due to more activity. That is usual.

Videos are up and I will continue to add some.