Eevee's Cockapoo puppies
CHC Families Only
On this page I'll be sharing with you a bit more about the 8 weeks we have raising your pup!
I'll share pictures and videos from our day - to include enrichment protocols and puppy curriculum (EPP / Puppy Culture) we use to raise happy, confident, stable, well-loved, well-adjusted, enrichment seeking pups.
Many breeders claim to use science-based curriculum and protocols (Puppy Culture, BAB) as well as ENS but not many actually do. That is why I will be sharing here, with you (transparency).
"The proof is in the puppies". ~ Jane Lindquist (Puppy Culture).
"What we do or do not do as breeders sets that dog up for a life of success". ~ Suzanne Clothier (Relationship Centered Training).
Another day for fun, may 3
Taking the fun outside again - the pups are getting more confident climbing, jumping, chasing and being pups!
It's so fun to watch their confidence grow and their skills improve - and their happy tails wagging.
April Showers....wait it's May, May 1 (continued)
So much fun today playing outside with Apple's litter. Eevee's pups had a blast exploring and running freely - climbing over & under, around & through.
I am sharing videos and pics here for CHC families only as they show more of our home, hearts, and life with our pups and dogs.
Back inside, waiting patiently to nurse.
Exercise + full bellies = nap time
Our Pen is getting bigger, May 1
Eevee's pups have mastered use of their litter tray (we use alfalfa pellets). We rely on a their innate sense to not soil in their living space (where they sleep, eat and play. So, after cleaning their pen, we enlarge their space and put in new items and toys for them to play with and explore.
These little dinosaurs are so easy-going, just like their momma. We are in love and are enjoying getting to know them and their budding personalities.
Fresh air and sun, april 28
Rain, rain, go away!
Thankful for sunny skies today and the opportunity to move playtime outside!
The pups got to explore and play with the activity cube out in the fresh spring air while feeling a new texture (decking). Leaves, ladders, chairs (novel items) for the pups to notice at their leisure and comfort level.
The how of socialization and enrichment is just as important as the what. We want to positively expose our pups to new, without overwhelming them. We want to provide opportunities and situations for the pups to practice startle-recovery. When and if a pup startles or seems unsure, we encourage them with praise to keep going, letting them know they are ok, and we are there with them.
All dogs neeed this skill to be able to makage stress throughout life, but sadly not all puppies are raised well and given the opportuniites to learn these skills and become confident, enriched, well-adjusted dogs.
Eevee's pups are loving their slurry (blended mixture of puppy kibble, freeze dried lamb and formula)!! Gobble, gobble, slurp - love their little sounds as they eat it up.
Time to play, april 26
Enrichment opportuniites for pups ensures they grow to be confident, well-adjusted pups.
Learning through play, the pups use their senses to learn about the world around them - we work to expose them to new sights, sounds and smellls by constantly changing out their toys, texture mats, climbing structures, etc.
Playtime was fun, but man it sure does tire us out.
Gig clearly needed a nap. 💙
New Pen set up, april 22
Eevee's pups are in the "Socialization Period" (starts at approximately 4 weeks, 28 days and continues until pups are 12 weeks old). A lot goes on during this period to make sure we are raising enriched puppies, equipped to take on the world around them.
We begin having more playtime outside of their whelping box, and the pups move into a larger "living space", we call their puppy pen.
During this period, our goal is to engage, stimulate, and put our pups in different situations. This includes exposing them to a variety of tactile (footing) options, situations, shapes, sizes, and movement - to help build their confidence and encourage them to believe in their own abilities.
Today, their puppy pen (after being cleaned) got new toys - bedding - things to walk on, move, bite and feel. We talk them through it, and often one of the boys will climb in to show them they are safe - we are here - they can explore, we are with them.
After checking out their new digs, having a visit with new friends (neighbors came to play), and nursing with momma, the pups were ready for a nap. Novel sure does tucker them out.
We've got this, april 21
Eevee's pups have moved from the "Transitional Period" (this period begins when eyes open and ends when pups can walk, see bark, and go potty on their own) to the "Socialization Period" (this period starts at approximately 4 weeks of age and continues until they are 12 weeks of age).
During the "Transitional Period" the pups had "loud noise exposure"(around days 18, 19 and 20 where we conduct a brief loud noise exposure such as banging a spoon, dropping a book on the floor, closing a door loudly, etc. At this early age, puppies do not yet fear sound, so we use this oporutnity to start desensitization of loud noises) and "whelping box novelty"(daily "novel" items placed into their whelping box for them to explore).
As puppies develop their senses, it is important to introduce them to a variety of sounds they might encounter in their fur-ever homes (in this video I vacuum near their pen while talking to them and reassuring them).
During the 8 weeks the pups are with us, we intoroduce them to new types of music, TV shows and movies, noise exposure tracks, etc. Often after nursing and times of play we play classical music for their quiet time and rest.
Softly playing classical / spa music to your pup once you bring them home can help signify it's time for quiet and rest.
New baby squeaks, March 30
At 5 days old, the pups spend their days with momma - nursing and snuggling with their momma.
Before the age of of 2-3 weeks, puppies can not produce their own heat and need to be kept warm.
Eevee has such wonderful milk supply, she is assisting in nursing one of Apple's pups (Ru), as you may notice if you count heads.