Days 34 & 35 - Climbing over obstacles, 5/17 & 5/18

The puppies got to try climbing out of the weaning pen the last two days. I was worried that with their not being treat motivated yet, we wouldn't be able to do those protocols, but Snickerdoodle was motivated by his own curiosity, and the other puppies were motivated by their brother.

Gingersnap never made it over the barrier during that first day, but in the middle of the night, Butter came and got me because ALL THE PUPPIES GOT OUT.

So I put up a plastic box lid to be the new barrier.

Day 32 & 33 - 5 week fear period, 5/15 & 5/16

Puppies are 5 weeks old, and they have entered their first fear period. New experiences have them whining and shaking, and burrowing into me. Except for Snickerdoodle, who I'm not sure if he hasn't entered it, or if he's already over it.

Gingersnap under his mama during his first excursion outdoors.

So we're mostly giving them new things to play with right now, instead of new experiences outside of the whelping pen.

Snickerdoodle making on my face while I clip his nails. The only picture I got today was this selfie.

They've been eating with enthusiasm, and I plan to start giving them two meals a day today.

I clipped two puppies' worth of nails, and still need to get Tagalong's front feet and Gingersnap's rear feet.

Gingersnap and Snickerdoodle biting each other's feet.

The puppies keep pulling their paws away from me, not because they're scared but because they want to play. I tried getting them while the puppies are napping, but I accidentally woke Tagalong, who started jumping all over Gingersnap, who started trying to gnaw on me, and Tag, and the clippers. Then all three puppies were awake and playing, and snuggling in between my arms... my hands were tied.

Day 30&31 - Something new every day, 5/12&5/14

Gingersnap being an adorable little ham!

So one of the big pieces of Puppy Culture is to provide at least one new experience every day. On Friday, I made a little tunnel out of cardboard for enrichment. The puppies played in it a little, and by morning it was crushed and had been peed on. But I think they liked it, so I might buy them a tunnel, or make a better one.

On Saturday, we took them out to the deck to play a little. Butter really wants her puppies to be contained. When they are not, she grabs them and sort of guides them to where she wants them. I'll have to see if I can get a video of that someone because it's really kind of fascinating.

Tagalong biting Mama's tail

Something else that's fascinating: it turns out mixed breeds can absolutely participate in agility competitions. Are we there? No way. But are we headed there? Also no. But it is kind of neat to know we have choices I thought we did not have.