Day 13,

these puppies are more fascinating than I ever imagined. So many behaviors are emerging so much sooner than I realized. They are actively using their noses to find their way around, it is really interesting to watch how they get a whiff of mom, take off only to circle around as they realize they are going into the wrong direction. I think it will be just a few more days and they will be able to start eating food on their own and not needing to have me help them by spoon feeding them. I have put a pee pad into their whelping box and if I can get them to lick a little baby food (meat) from my finger, I will try to reinforce peeing on the pad. I have their indoor play area set up and once they can see and move around a lot they will be moved to that area, it is equipped with a potty box that I have lined with a pee pad, but I am planning to add a few wood shavings to that so they learn to eliminate on "natural materials". The puppies have started to play with each other and it is so funny to listen to them play growl and looking all animated.
Puppies are certainly addictive and when they get old enough to go to their new homes it will be so hard to decide who to keep and to let the others go.




getting more mobile and interested in their environment

puppies can sit now too

puppies playing

pink girl in the middle is the smallest puppy and purple girl on the right is the biggest, weighing 9 ounces more than pink girl

using their paws in play

this is the first time I saw the puppies play with each other, isn't it just too cute, from what I could tell yellow girl started it all

here they discover each other as playmates

this little girl is trying really hard to wiggle herself into my heart. Here she is acting playful with a toy, this is new that they are starting play behaviors. She walks very well now and is already starting to move a lot faster than before. I think running will be next.

he found himself a warm wall that fit him perfectly,

I find it interesting that the puppies like to sleep against the cold wall of their box instead of near a heat source. None of these puppies seemed to ever want to be near a heat source that was supposed to be the "right" temperature. I had thermometers everywhere but they always seemed to be more comfortable at cooler temperatures and usually move away from the warmer areas

Future agility champion? The puppies are getting a lot more agile and manage to climb over mom.