Three weeks old and all kinds of stuff is happening in the Puppy Nursery.
This is the first in a series of sound habituations that expose 3-4 week old puppies to sounds that are known to cause anxiety in dogs later in life. Exposure to these sounds during this crucial 3-4 week period (and then continued periodically during the next several weeks) significantly the maturing pup avoid anxiety during these events as it matures. FYI: Not an actual window, just a big screen with YouTuBe channel .
Sound Habituation continues with young 3 weeks puppies to habituate them to sounds that tend to cause anxiety in dogs. This early exposure does have significant results in diminishing this type of anxiety for dogs as they mature. Today is an introduction to Fireworks played on a large screen TV. It starts at a low volume. If puppies show no fright or stress, then volume is increased slightly. This is played for about 1 hour 2x a day. Volume then increased tomorrow.Expanded Puppy Pen includes low ramp and extended potty areaYellow boy and Lime girl using new potty areaFirst experience with Puppy food gruelYummy Gruel
We also have been exposing puppies to loud sudden sounds to test their “startle & recovery” response.(Hopefully, I can remember to video when we do it tomorrow!) Each day, a new sudden loud sound is done 3x consecutively about twice a day (usually in morning and then after dinner). We started with just a loud hand clap, then a loud rattle of their pen, and today a wooden spoon against a pan. All our doing great. Some don’t even startle by the 2 or 3rd “bang”, and even when startled, all recover immediately and do not demonstrated any true fear and anxiety. This is a great sign!
As we are getting really near to due date, an x-ray was completed to get a more accurate count of expected puppies. Well…vet counted 11. Let the fun begin. Oh, my!
Here’s the first photo shoot of Jake and Jazz’s babes. The photographer and her iPhone did their best, but even sleepy puppies still seem to move quite a bit! Names are based on the color ID collar they wear.
1st visit to vet for tail docking, dew claws removed…then a day to chill Wednesday morning at 8 am was their first appointment to the vet we hope they never remember. The little ones didn’t mind the gentle look over by Dr. Hall, but it was also time to dock their tails and remove the…
These 4-5 minute video “walkabouts” of each puppy are observation for us and you to see, again, how they do separated from the others but within hearing and sight of their pack. Observe their curiosity, independence, willingness to explore, use of their nose to investigate, but also note the acknowledgment for the human leader by…
Green boy actually had an “escape” from the outside puppy pen, but advantage was taken of his walkabout the “big” yard. These 4-5 minute video “walkabouts” of each puppy are observation for us and you to see, again, how they do separated from the others but within hearing and sight of their pack. Observe their…
