Prairie Springers: December 2016

6 Weeks

Someone asked me this week if we are sad when we say goodbye to the puppies. We have mixed feelings about the puppies leaving. We do love them, and will miss each puppy individually. But 6 puppies at once is sooooo much work at this stage. So we are happy to see them go to their new homes, where they can get the attention that they need and deserve.

This week the puppies have become little monsters. One minute I am telling them how smart and cute they are, and the next I am pulling my hair out. They have discovered that they enjoy ripping the puppy pads to shreds. This is why puppies in the winter can be more challenging. So with this new discovery, they have earned some time in the great outdoors. We decided that they needed a bit more stimulation to wear themselves out. They are not to pleased with their new schedule. In the morning we take them outside first thing, while we clean up their mess from the night. Then they come in and eat solid food, and I sit with them and give each puppy some attention, while making sure they do not shred the puppy pads. After that point, they are settled and ready to sleep for a while. Lunch time and bed time, we do the same routine. They are only outside for about 10 minutes before complaining and wanting to come in. But we should see some warmer weather by the end of this week, so hopefully they can enjoy more time to run in the big back yard.

I introduced them to pig ears this week, and they love them. They are very much into chewing, so be prepared to have some stuff destroyed if you don't keep your eyes on your puppy!

I am not soaking their food for as long, and letting them chew and crunch. Some are doing very well, while others are not to happy about it. But they will all get there. They are all growing and healthy. I take them to get their shots this week, and have the vet check them all over.

We also introduced them to little balls, and they are loving those. I wish I had the camera with me this morning to capture them playing with the balls, but I didn't. They run and pounce, and are very enthusiastic while playing.

Here's to another great week!

Lark

Bolt

Hershey

Mia

Molly (was cocoa)

Lolly

Have a good week!

Week 4 and 5

Sorry for the delay in my posting on the blog. Between 6 puppies, 3 kids in basketball, and christmas preparation's we have had a pretty crazy week. We moved the puppies to the garage almost a week ago now. They needed more room to run and play. The transition has gone very well. The garage is heated, they have lots of room, and they can be as loud as they want without bothering me!

They are all eating well. We are still soaking their food, but not blending it. They are eating 2 times a day at this point. I attempted to up them to 3 times, but they were not interested. Tilley is starting to wean the pups naturally. We make sure she goes in about 3 or 4 times a day to nurse them, but she does not enjoy it. The puppies are fairly ruff with her now, so I am sure it is not a pleasant experience. The puppies experienced the great out doors for a few hours before the snow arrived this week. And most of them loved it. Hershey was the most adventurous and was trying to chase Tucker down. Now its a bit to cold to spend much time outside, so lucky we have a heated, big garage, and lots of kids to play with them.

The puppies are becoming increasingly social, and all come running when I call them. They are play fighting, chewing, running, pulling the girls hair, eating the boys toys, and being typical really cute puppies! Here's some pictures.

Puppy 1- Lark

Lark has gone from the quietest to one of my loudest. Her and Cocoa are constantly pestering each other.

Puppy 2 -BOLT

Bolt is a monkey. He loves to climb, and run. Not a super loud boy, he keeps kind of quiet. But has lots of energy to run and play.

Puppy 3- (Hershey)

Hershey is a quieter puppy. He kind of sits back and lets the others be crazy. He does play and defend himself, but is never the instigator. He LOVED being outside!

Puppy 4- MIA

Mia has been the ring leader this week. She is vocal, and busy. She lets us know exactly what is going on in her little head. She is the first to jump out of our whelping box, as of this morning. I am not super excited about that! She is so much fun to watch and play with.

Puppy 5 (cocoa)

Cocoa remains the quietest puppy, although she doesn't get pushed around. She takes an active role in play fighting. She is my curious one, and has starting riping up our puppy pads. Little turkey!