Hay Pups 4 wks old - Berry Pups 3 wks old

Such a perfectly extravagant week we all had here! I look back at the week and can't quite wrap my head around that it's only been a week. So much was taken on, explored, discovered, accomplished and conquered in such a short time.

The HAY babies are now heading into their 5th week here and the Berry babes into their 4th. Confidence is soaring and personalities are blossoming.  Such a fun and rewarding age! My little squishy squashy potatoes are all of a sudden big kids. Bitter sweet.

The question marks on behaviors are starting to really narrow the more I work with each of these previous little pups. I'm falling for each of them in different ways.

I adore watching them flourish under my finger tips, grow more curious and expressive with each passing day.  1 week difference in these 2 litters is massive.  The Berry pups are still pretty slow and lazy and the HAY pups are now playing,  romping, tearing it up and taking on the wobble board,  disc swing and slide like they've been doing it for weeks. 

The potty trays landed in the Berry kids nursery this week.  Toes were shaky as they tentatively tested the waters.  The HAY pups who were playing in their nursery that day showed them the trays didn't bite and that they were even kind of fun to explore.  The Berry kids disagreed but the HAY kids were persistent and gently encouraging and ultimately pulled them to victory.  

The nursery spaces are intentionally kept small by design so to help set the pups up for early potty training success. With limited space beyond their sleeping area, the natural choice becomes getting up and moving to the trays to eliminate — an important first step in building lasting positive potty habits in their new homes.  

The HAY pups still have plenty of accidents but are moving onto the trays more and more each day. The Berry kids will hopefully gain more confidence and strength this week to also have the same kind of success very soon. 

Crates were introduced as well this week 3-5 secs. To begin with so only a positive association was linked.  A few of their meals took place in their crates but the combination of food exposure and crate exposure in one short week lead to not much food being consumed in the crates, but we will get there! The initial excitement of food being introduced has diminished and speed has slowed down. Their focus has improved and they actually keep their snoot in their own bowl now without plowing through, over and into the bowl next to them. The Berry kids start on food tomorrow so I'm sure they as well will be quivering with excitement.

The skies opened up this week allowing for plenty more stroller rides outside with minimal chill to the air. We also got outside to play a bit in the toddler yard. Disc swinging was taken on or what we like to call 'boat training' around here. They are all still a bit small and stubby for the stairs but they definietly took on the little slide play system as well as the wobble board inside their nurseries.

All the babies got another dose of dewormer and preventive meds to keep them all healthy, strong, clear and thriving. The Hay kids are between 4.5 lbs. and 6 lbs. and the Berry kids are all within the 4 lb. range, so each baby right on track!

So much to repeat this upcoming week for the Berry pups. Food, more supervised potty training, crate training, stroller rides, music exposure, handling, nail trims and more.

Both Isla and Leia are doing fabulous and loving their time with these sweet bundles. 2 & 3 more weeks of nursing before they are completely weaned. At that point the mamas get visits and playtime without boobie barnacles hanging off of them. A full surgical body suit gets put on the mamas so they are able to play and relax with their kiddos but without the babes hanging off of them. They absoluetely love this time with them and you can see they take a breathe and fully relax into their last chunk of time with their pups.

Only 2 more weeks until families come in and get to sit, observe, play and decide who who their forever after pup will be. Everyone is preparing, shopping, organizing and getting ready for their lives to change forever. I am over the moon ecsatic for their journeys to begin. Back to work here!

MORE PHOTOS OF THE HAY PUPS

MORE PHOTOS OF THE BERRY PUPS