My litter of pups is just coming up on 4 wks of age (this weekend). I don't know which girl I am keeping yet. Here is a list of what I have done to date with the wee ones to help with their development.
Day 3-16: ENS (http://www.kitsapcanine.com/articles/SuperDog.pdf)
plus lots and lots of everyday handling and cuddling.
1 wk old: Started playing sound desensitization CD's before their ears opened fully. Started with Puppy Sounds, CD ran for 24 hrs at a low volume after the first couple of days. First days, I played it everytime they nursed. Slowly increasing volume and length of time.
CD's:
Puppy Sounds
Clix Noises & Sounds
Indoor Agility Trial Sounds
I also started to lightly bang on a food bowl with a spoon every time I saw the pups nursing, banging blocks of wood together and clapping.
The whelping area/ puppy pen was in my bathroom beside the laundry room, lots banging and sounds from the washing machine and dryer (doors opening closing) etc
3 wks old: Moved the pups and momma into the livingroom. 2 xpens set up, whelping box with heat lamp, potty area with washable pads and a play area.
We spend most of our time in the livingroom with our other dogs. CD's continue to play along with heavy rock music (lots of base), t.v etc. Pups are very mobile, toddler's interactive toy piano which plays songs, meows and changes everytime the pups walk on it, cat tunnel, toys, balance disks, blocks of wood and bricks for them to walk on. Continue to blow whistles, horns and bells. Happy to report that pups don't care
Pups have met all my adult dogs through the xpen and while being held by me.
Day 3-16: ENS (http://www.kitsapcanine.com/articles/SuperDog.pdf)
plus lots and lots of everyday handling and cuddling.
1 wk old: Started playing sound desensitization CD's before their ears opened fully. Started with Puppy Sounds, CD ran for 24 hrs at a low volume after the first couple of days. First days, I played it everytime they nursed. Slowly increasing volume and length of time.
CD's:
Puppy Sounds
Clix Noises & Sounds
Indoor Agility Trial Sounds
I also started to lightly bang on a food bowl with a spoon every time I saw the pups nursing, banging blocks of wood together and clapping.
The whelping area/ puppy pen was in my bathroom beside the laundry room, lots banging and sounds from the washing machine and dryer (doors opening closing) etc
3 wks old: Moved the pups and momma into the livingroom. 2 xpens set up, whelping box with heat lamp, potty area with washable pads and a play area.
We spend most of our time in the livingroom with our other dogs. CD's continue to play along with heavy rock music (lots of base), t.v etc. Pups are very mobile, toddler's interactive toy piano which plays songs, meows and changes everytime the pups walk on it, cat tunnel, toys, balance disks, blocks of wood and bricks for them to walk on. Continue to blow whistles, horns and bells. Happy to report that pups don't care
Pups have met all my adult dogs through the xpen and while being held by me.