Puppy's Third Week
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This is a fun week! The eyes open and the ears are working well. The pups discover that they can bark and growl! Their astonished reaction to the sounds that come out of their mouths really befuddles them :-) They begin to interact with each other with the very beginnings of puppy play, and you will want to spend more and more time just watching them. They become more adept at moving around as well, and they will begin to try to find an 'escape' from the whelping box, by stretching up to climb on the sides. At this point, ( 21 days) I open the 4th side of the whelping box and put down newspaper on the floor, to allow the pups to leave their 'den' to go to the bathroom. Pups are, by nature, very clean in their habits, and do not want to soil their sleeping area if there is an option, so they will come out and use the newspaper. Our whelping box is 4' x 4' and we have an "exercise pen" that is 4' x 8'. We surround the box with the exercise pen (X-Pen) before opening the 4th side, so the pups have an additional 4 x 4 place to run, play and piddle, and not be running loose around a room. This makes it safe for the pups and easy to clean up for me. I use a natural cleaner to wash the box and pen with that is made from Valencia orange peel. You can read about it here. At the end of this week, I begin giving them their first food. I make little marble size balls of raw hamburger and each pup gets one in the morning and one at bedtime. If you are concerned about introducing 'hamburger disease' then I suggest you buy some cheap steak, and grind it up to make into little meat balls. I make a couple of pounds at a time and freeze them on a cookie sheet, and then transfer into a freezer bag. Each day take the right number of meatballs out of the freezer to thaw and warm up to room temperature. The first time you offer them, the pup will try to suck the meat ball, but once they get the taste into their mouth, they gobble the whole thing at once. I hold the puppy with one hand with the meatball in the palm of my other hand, and introduce the new 'treat'. Of course, these meatballs should be given with the dam OUTSIDE the exercise pen, or she'll want them for herself. This is the time to put down a cake pan or some low dish for water for the pups. Once they start on solid food, they need a supply of water. Of course, they'll fall into it and walk around in it, but it is low enough that they can't drown in it. Have your camera loaded and ready to snap some really fun pictures. Cut those nails! |
Copyright 
2001 Marilyn Brotherton
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Disclaimer: The information, techniques and methods described in this web site are based on my experiences over many years.They may not be suitable for you.Nothing that I have written or demonstrated is intended as a substitute for professional advice from your own qualified Veterinarian. I assume no responsibility or liability of any kind regarding the use and application of any of the advice provided or methods and techniques depicted on this web site.