Noni's LITTLES - 3 wks old
A Whole Lot of Growing, Exploring, and “Look What I Can Do!” this week!
Three weeks old.
THREE WEEKS ALREADY! Itty weighing in @ 4 lbs. 8 oz. Bitty 3 lbs. 7 oz. Buttons 4 lbs. 3 oz. Thimble 4 lbs. 2 oz. Snippet 3 lbs. 15 oz. and Pebbles 4 lbs. 3 oz.
Somehow, we have officially reached that little LITTLE turning point where Noni’s once-tiny, sleepy, squishy babies are beginning to look less like squashed soggy potatoes and more like actual little puppies with places to go, things to investigate, and apparently, very important business to conduct.
The changes at this stage are absolutely incredible to watch. NOPE! I STILL get hardly anything done around here! Every day brings something new, and sometimes it seems like I wake up in the morning and discover that they have collectively decided they are now capable of doing something they couldn't do yesterday.
And they are VERY proud of themselves and vice versa. Welcome to the World of wibbily wobbly but fully capable legs. Three weeks brings a huge milestone in mobility. Those adorable fat bellies that have been happily dragging along the floor are finally starting to come off the ground! Walking is still a little... experimental. There are wobbles. There are sideways steps. There are occasional spectacular wipeouts. Poor Buttons did an impression one this morning.
There are moments when one puppy clearly has somewhere important to be, takes off with great confidence, and then suddenly realizes their legs didn't receive the memo. But they're walking with great confidence and I am pushing their confidence level more and more everyday. Once they figured out that those four little legs actually work, they were off.
Suddenly, the whelping box wasn't simply a place to sleep, eat, and cuddle with Mom. It became real estate. There was exploring to do. There was the extremely important task of walking around like they personally own the entire operation. Which, if we're being honest, they probably do.
And so…. The Whelping Box Has Officially Been Demoted
Because these babies are becoming increasingly mobile, their whelping box has officially been broken down to give them more room to move, explore, and practice all those brand-new skills that they have acquired which seems like overnight.
And just two days ago, we introduced something else very important:
The Potty Tray!
This is another big step toward independence. The potty tray went in two days ago, and they're already beginning to explore it with surprising confidence. They're learning very quickly how to get themselves up and over and back down on their own, navigating the edge without help. These little milestones are actually pretty significant. They're learning that different surfaces feel different, that they can control where their little bodies go, and that their environment is something they can interact with rather than simply lie in.
Of course, we're still very much in the "we're learning here" stage. Nobody is handing out potty-training certificates just yet. But they're off to a great start with exploring their new trays with confidence all on their own.
The next thing they do in this stage is interact with each other on more of a one on one basis. Their favorite game… BITEY FACE. oh yes. We're entering the fun stage.
The babies are starting to discover that their littermates are not only warm, cuddly things to sleep beside, on, next to, and in between. They are also extremely entertaining chew toys. This is the greatest game in the history of puppyhood.
These early interactions are an important part of learning how to communicate with other dogs. Through play, puppies begin learning things like body language, appropriate pressure, taking turns, responding to another puppy's signals, and when play is getting a little too enthusiastic.
Another fun thing! - We're starting to hear some little voices! Tiny little barks are beginning to emerge as their vocal abilities develop. It's still very much in the "I'm not entirely sure what this noise is, but I think I like it" stage.
These little squeaks, grumbles, growls, and first barks are another reminder that these babies are rapidly moving through developmental stages. Their world is getting bigger.
Ears are now fully open — so let the Music blast!
Different sounds and auditory experiences are happening every moment of their day in a calm and positive environment. The goal isn't simply to make noise around them. It's about allowing them to experience a variety of everyday sounds and learn that the world is full of interesting things happening around them — and that those things aren't something to fear.
I’ve had plenty of days with the leaf blower as I tote them around with me in the stroller and plenty of ‘meet the Vacuum cleaner days’ Yes. The vacuum cleaner is ON in this photo.
And these babies? Not impressed. Not concerned. Not even remotely interested. They basically seem to be saying: "we're trying to nap here"
We're introducing sounds gradually and naturally, allowing them to experience household noises without making a huge production out of them. The goal is confidence. We want them learning that strange noises happen... and life continues. Stress and recovery. You’ve got this babies, all on your own.
These little ones have also been getting plenty of stroller rides. Being a wee pup means getting chauffeured around before you even know how to properly walk. Oh the luxuries these babies have! But there is a purpose behind all of this. Movement and motion are new sensory experiences for puppies. Gentle stroller rides allow them to experience movement while remaining safe, warm, and together with their littermates. They get to feel the motion. They get to see different surroundings. They get to experience the world moving around them. And they get to learn that movement doesn't automatically mean something scary is happening.
“Boat Training” Has Arrived!
We also continued their motion training — or what we affectionately call “boat training.”
The babies have been experiencing movement in the outside disc swing, giving them another opportunity to feel shifting motion and changes in balance. Again, this is all about exposure. Different surfaces. Different movements. Different sensations. Different environments.
The more appropriately introduced experiences puppies have during these early developmental periods, the more opportunities they have to learn how to process new things calmly.
These LITTLES are taking it all in.
Cold Water? Apparently, We Have No Drama Here.
We introduced cold water as part of a controlled stress-and-recovery exercise. And once again...Nothing. Absolutely. Nothing. You were supposed to be stressed, babies!
"Is this supposed to bother me?"
The purpose of exercises like this isn't to frighten puppies or overwhelm them. It's to introduce a very brief, controlled sensation to teach them how to respond, recover and gain a higher level of confidence in this process. They all are doing terrific!
Medications? AGAIN, not phased. BUT incredibly entertaining and down right CUTE!
Personalities are now starting to emerge! This is one of my favorite things about the three-week mark. Their personalities are really beginning to peek through. We're starting to notice little tidbits and tidbits repeating. This is the 50% nature in what I do.
A puppy who seems particularly curious. Another who is more content to sit back and observe. One who appears determined to be the first everywhere. One who is especially people-oriented. Another who seems perfectly happy doing their own thing. These are only the very earliest glimpses, of course. Puppies change tremendously as they grow, and their personalities will continue developing over the coming weeks.
What’s up next you ask?... FOOD!
I introduce food a couple of days after the potty trays get introduced so they have a chance to explore where they are supposed to go once food is in their systems. With some help of course this only takes about 3 days to learn. Such smart babies.
Crate introduction will be up next. A few days after food is introduced, we'll begin introducing them to crates. A positive introduction. A new space. A safe place. Something that becomes familiar and cozy. We are building foundations.
So Much to Do... So Little Time.
Three weeks old and already the list is getting long. How is this possible?!
Mobility. Potty tray. Play. Sounds. Music. Leaf blower & Vacuum exposure. Stroller rides. Motion training. Boat training. Water exposure. New environments. Food. Crate introduction. Personality observations. And, of course, plenty of snuggles! Oh the snuggles! Simply divine!
The next few weeks are going to fly by.
A Little Hint of Fall is upon us. We've been incredibly lucky with the weather. The days have stayed beautifully warm and lovely, which has allowed us to spend plenty of time outside enjoying walks and fresh air together. But... I can feel it. That little hint of fall is creeping in. The mornings have that crispness to them. The air feels just a little different.
A new season is quietly approaching. And in many ways, that's exactly what is happening with Noni's babies, too. They're turning a corner.
Three weeks down...
So many more adventures to go.
