The pups are so big and sturdy now it's amazing just how much they have grown up. It's been an exciting week of development for them as they are now so much more aware of their environment. We've introduce a crate in their indoor pen and will add a few crates to the outdoor pen as well. Housebreaking is coming along nicely and they are hitting the box just about every time now. The noise has died down a bit while playing as they have learned to inhibit their bites and are much nicer to eachother when they play. Tess has begun to wean them and after correcting them for biting her invites them to play. They are a little unsure of at first not sure what to do with themselves and then Tess turns all silly and invites them to play. It's comical to watch them figure out what they are suppose to be doing.
We had to rearrange the indoor pen because the pups were learning to balance on the potty box to reach over the side of the pen. Several pups came close to getting over the top so it was time to innovate. We put a crate in the pen and reconfigured it to make it less inviting to climb out. We found Wilma sunbathing on top of the crate on one of our trips through the kitchen. Tess and her siblings use to do this as puppies and seemed to enjoy the high perch. We took Wilma down twice but she climbed back up so we left her there. She hasn't figured how to get over the top...yet so for now we're ok.
The "din" in the morning is getting louder as the weeks go by and the pups think it is their job to make sure we know they are hungry in the morning. They like to shout at us until we feed them and even a bit longer before they finally go back to sleep. They are a force to be dealt with in the morning to say the least.
It's become challenge to keep up with them outdoors too. They have learned to dig down under the stone and eat dirt, then go dunk their head in the water bucket. Plucking at the weed block has become their favorite sport and it's been tough to stay ahead of them. We finally put a small potty box in the outdoor pen because scooping poop out of the rocks has become quite the challenge, there is always something left behind. This way we can scoop the box and not have as much mess.
Tried lots of new foods this week, ground lamb, hearts, kidney, giblets, chicken wings, necks and marrow bones too. They are eating lots of variety and they are doing great.
Next week is a big week for them, they get their puppy tattoos on Monday and Wednesday and on Thursday we take a trip to the vet for a check up. They have gone for several car rides this week and will go on several more next week. They have had two baths and will get a third this weekend. They have had nails trimmed every week since birth and will begin some basic leash training on Saturday depending on how many folks come to the puppy party. Carol is coming to give a short talk on new puppy ownership.
Well, I am beat. The pups have kept me running most of the day with cleaning, caring for, and paying attention to them. There is just never enough time to do all that I want to do with them. Hard to believe they start going home next week....need to make sure that they are ready. See you all soon.....
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