ATB: 4 Week Old Puppies

Thunder, Puddles, Rainy, Drizzle, Raindrop, Cloudy

 

Things are very busy here at ATB. The pups are all doing so well and every day brings a new discovery for them as we enjoy helping them explore their ever expanding world. Weaning is underway and I should say it's with the help of their mother, Nova. She will let her pups nurse however rarely allows them the pleasure of falling asleep at her side. I suspect that their little teeth have something to do with. And in spite of frequent nail trimming on my part, the more aggressive nursers kneed with their paws which probably result in some scratching from time to time. Nova is happy to spend extended times away from her pups but always wants to check in with them on a regular basis. She has become quite adept at opening the door into where they are! The pups are eating two solid meals a day.

 

 

Last week when the pups turned 4 weeks old we had our first visitors come and see them. I was very happy to see how Nova accepted company that she did not know.  We tried hard to plan the visits during times of heightened activity but at this age they are like little wind up toys with a limited amount of energy to expend. When they first wake up from a nap most of the pups will make a trip to the area we've framed out for them go to the bathroom in. That is something to get excited about. Each day it seems more of them are faithful to go to where the paper is.  Even so NO ONE should ever expect any puppy ever to be even close to housebroken for several months. They will not have full control over poops and pees until much older.

 

 

T-shirts, toys, and collars were left for the pups as we countdown to the first day of the rest of their lives which will be in about 3 1/2 weeks. Things seem to have worked out for the best regarding puppy availability. We plan to do our evals/PATs at 7 weeks of age. Nova's owners will participate in this as well as a friend of ours whose English Setter just had a lovely litter of 11!  We are going to evaluate her litter and I look forward to that too. Nova's owners have pick of the litter and after they decide we will share our recommendations with those waiting for their puppy based on several factors. 

 

The litter of 4 that Jack sired with Brandy will go home this week. It's been a pleasure to work with the breeders who are also friends of ours. Our pick puppy from that litter will begin the first day of the rest of his life on Thursday with his new family, a family we have worked closely with for well over a year.

 

 I look forward to this week as we will bring the pups outdoors more frequently. They had an introduction to a frozen bird recently. The pups were sound asleep in their bed and I quietly placed the bird down in the middle of their puppy pile. Talk about waking up!  Immediately I could hear their little noses begin to sniff, sniff, sniff even before they opened their eyes to check things out! I watched as each little head popped up and they quickly scrambled to locate the source of that obviously intoxicating scent.  I look forward to taking this to the next level this coming week when we're outside.

 

Thank you to everyone for your patience and for accepting our puppy reservation policies. Our time with your pups is drawing to an end and we trust that you are all ready for that important first day of the rest of their lives. We will have done everything in our power to prepare your puppy for this day and from that point on it all depends up on you, the responsible dog owner. Remember to make your vet appointment and let us know the date and with who.  We're confident of where each puppy in this litter is going and very blessed with the way it has worked out for all concerned.

 

 We appreciate your interest in All Things Brittany so much. Take care and God bless you and yours always, John, Ann and our canine crew