Pup sharing Mom's food

I fed Juliet tonight in the whelping box and had to grab the camera to get this shot … apparently the puppies are pretty much ready for solid food now — LOL!

Some other puppy developments: The puppies are now exhibiting a “den instinct” — the box is separated in half, one side is a soft fluffy pad and the other side are hospital bed pads. The puppies are going to the non-fluffy side to eliminate, which is a great sign to see in puppies so young. Housetraining these guys is going to be a breeze! Everyone is walking very well and although we have not formally tested them, everyone seems to see and hear.

Now that I have new camera batteries, I promise individual photos soon! We are inundated with website work right now, clients who want to finish projects by the end of the year, so we are working ’round the clock.

Last night while spending “puppy time” (which keeps us sane … sometimes working at home has us climbing the walls) Derek and I noticed that not only are all of the puppies able to hear now, but they are starting to play among themselves and with us. Right now “playing” is pretty much just gumming each other’s faces or tails and then falling over … but it’s pretty darned cute! As soon as I get new batteries in the camera I will get some photos and videos of puppy playtime and post them. All puppies are walking fairly steadily and getting around the box really well. Juliet is still doing a great job of cleaning up after them, but that will end when we start feeding them solid food, towards the end of next week.

All of the puppies gained weight in their weigh-in last night, the newest weights are up on the puppy weights page (link at the very top of the page). Two pups (Philippe and Marcel) are over two pounds now! Everyone is gaining nicely and Juliet is putting on a bit more weight, too, which I’m glad to see. She was looking far too skinny for a few days there. We’re still supplementing her with calcium several times a day, because with a new mother there is a risk of eclampsia, a sudden drop in calcium, which requires an emergency vet visit and IV with calcium. She’s running through a lot of it making milk for nine puppies.

All but Louis (black) gained today. As I mentioned before, it’s not unusual to see a short plateau. We’ll keep a close eye on Louis for the next couple of days. This is why it is so important as a breeder to weigh the puppies daily. I would not have noticed that Louis was looking any lighter than his brothers, but now I know to watch him for any diarrhea or other problems.

 
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A good day — all puppies gained weight today. Check out the puppy weight page for up-to-date puppy weights. It’s not unusual to have a short plateau with weight around now, so we won’t be concerned if we see a plateau with one or two of the puppies. If we notice three or more puppies not gaining, it means that Juliet is not nursing them enough.

Luc (tan)

Speaking of Juliet, she is eating 4-5 meals a day now. A typical meal for Juliet is 2 cups of puppy kibble (Purina ONE), which has added protein and calcium, with about 1/3 can of canned dog food (we use Alpo or Pedigree) for flavor and calories, 1/3 cup of cottage cheese for calcium and calories, a fish oil capsule for omega 3 fatty acids, and a doggy chewable calcium tablet.  She loves the calcium tablets, they taste like liver. I have been exchanging the cottage cheese for yogurt occasionally to give her some beneficial bacteria. She CLEANS her bowl every single time … this little momma is going through a lot of calories nursing her pups!

Hey guys, this is a great article about puppy growth and development. According to this timeline, our puppies (currently on day 14) are starting to open their eyes and ears. Over the next week they will start having more control over their elimination and will start to grow in their puppy teeth.

Read on to find out more about your puppy’s development!

“You do realize our power is out, right?” was the way Derek woke me up at 8am. What??? We discovered fire trucks and ambulances all up and down our street, and figured out that this was no normal outage. Derek walked over and talked with a neighbor who told him that the house three doors down burned down this morning. We feel so bad for our neighbors … what a horrible way to wake up on Christmas morning.

Then we started worrying about the puppies. They are still under a heat lamp all the time at just barely 14 days old. They have developed the ability to shiver, which keeps them warmer, but they still are not ok without a heat source. I put Juliet in the box with them and checked the digital thermometer which is next to the box — 72. Still ok, but with temps in the 40s outside we were still concerned. We made plans to get a blanket and get into the box with the puppies and cuddle up to keep them warm. Just then, a little before nine, the power came back on. Thank goodness!!!

Be grateful for what you have, folks … our neighbors lost everything on the one day when we should be grateful for everything we have.

Hi guys,

Since puppy weights were dominating the posts here, I moved them to their own page. You can see the link to the Puppy Weights page at the top of the screen. They will be updated every day. All pups are gaining like crazy and growing SO fast. We are having our first little barks these days! They are especially critical of their mother and the care she gives … as any mother will tell you … and they are quick to complain. I have started setting specific times of the day that Juliet MUST feed the puppies.

She says it is high past time that they eat softened kibble. I am waiting until three or four weeks if possible. They are just two weeks this Sunday. I had to check the calendar to make sure that is correct but it is … they were born 12/12 and today is 12/25. Amazing how time flies! I have had so little sleep I would swear it’s been a month! The puppies wake me up several times a night to complain about their mother, who is sleeping obliviously at my side in the comfy bed. I roust her and set her to feeding puppies, then usually have to wake at least another time or two when she tries to sneak away and they trumpet after her. I’m amazed Derek is sleeping at all with the noises coming from the master bedroom. He has retreated to the couch to get a “good night’s sleep” as if I can remember what that feels like.

The moments of bliss are so very worth it though … Philippe sucking on my finger or Aimee falling asleep in my hands. Marcel snuggling up in my arms and Claude staring up at me with his big open eyes. Absolutely sniffle-inducing. I try to remember that when it’s 5am, I went to sleep at 3, and they are complaining AGAIN that their mother is ignoring them. Sigh…

Claude (Blue)

In addition to Claude (blue, pictured), another pup has his eyes opening — Luc (tan). Pierre (brown) is proving to be the most active pup. He is difficult to photograph — he has places to go and people to see!

We’re on day ten, so the pups opening eyes are ahead of schedule. Usually we look for eyes to open between 10-14 days.  We’ll be watching the puppies very carefully for any neurological problems. They show up around the time the eyes open, so we’ll be vigilant.

Rini has found her maternal instincts returning. Whenever she hears the puppies cry, she runs into the bedroom, but retreats quickly when Juliet gives her “that look” that only mothers can do. Maybe it will be time for another litter for Rini when she comes into season in six months or so.

We’re planning to get additional photos of faces tonight. Will post here when they are ready.