Pups continue into the transitional period as the entire puppy pack gets up on leg and begins to walk. All eyes open along with ears! Pups move to the nursery to prepare for the next stage - the period of socialization!
Date(s): 6/3/02 - 6/9/02. Album by RatpiT Kennels. Photos by Theresa Baker/Robert Heller. 1 - 30 of 60 Total. 566 Visits.
1 New week, new excercises! Xena watches intently as Bob puts her pups thru the new paces. First they are elevated until they show discomfort, then held close and their worries soothed with human touch.
2 Step 2 of the excercise 15 day old pup is now held on her back for 15 seconds. Normally pups just squeal the first few times this is done. When the time is up, the pup is consoled by human touch.
3 On to the next pup! Xena inspects each pup as they are placed in the 'done' pile. This process will be repeated each day of this week. By week's end all pups will take the excercises in stride and without stress!
4 Bennie is a two hander! He was pretty loud, too!
5 Nova is the last one to go.. She also takes exception to the excercise.
6 Calm observer... Xena is used to the routine, but always watches with concern, especially when those pups squeal!
7 On your back now... Nova puts up a good struggle and almost wriggles loose!
8 And now for the calm part... Nova gets comforted and calmed after putting up a fuss. With these excercises the pups quickly associate human comforting with the end of stress!
9 The eyes have it! Nova's eyes open on the 15th day!
10 Bennie too! Bennie's eyes also open on the 15th day.
11 1st is last! Astro was first born, but last to open his eyes on day 15.
12 Another transition! Due to the extreme heat we have moved the pups into a larger tub that is placed directly on the floor where it is cooler, and have provided newspaper to accomodate toddling and pottying!
13 Settling them all in... The pups are all in the new set up and the sheet is draped over the works to contain heat. Pups can huddle or sprawl to conserve or dissipate heat as needed.
14 Awww! Nose to nose 17 day old sisters snoozing!
15 Xena rests her chin.... Nurse and eat, eat and nurse.. In only a matter of days these pups will do much more than sleep and eat!
16 Lookit the spots! The spots are changing - they appear to have halos. Nova's spots are also getting lighter and her back is no longer black.
17 Ruby sneaks a peek! Xena is out for a potty break and Ruby is sneaking a peek at the squirming pups - she is still afraid of them!
18 Thief! Ruby slithers past the pups to clean out Xena's food bowl! Guess she isn't THAT afraid, huh?
19 Xena's nose knows... "Ruby was here, and she ate my food..." Even so, Xena has no problem settling those pups in for the night!
20 19 day old pups - look closely 3 sleeping pups - keep your eye on the one in the middle....
21 Now look again... One tiny eye is open! Why? Because I clapped my hands over them to see if any ears could hear and Zenith heard!
22 Back to sleep... Just as soon as the clap is over Zenith falls back asleep! Pups have very short attention spans!
23 Only a mother would love it... See the yellowed spot on the paper? Some pup pooped and Xena cleaned it up. If you give pups the space to keep clean, they will eliminate away from the nest.
24 Cosmos smells momma... And he's off...
25 Success! Cosmos sneaks a snack!
26 Xena supervises.. 19 day old pups rest while their momma does not. Xena is never too far from her pups.
27 Life with a litter... Its nursing and more nursing...
28 And don't forget... Its cleaning and more cleaning.....
29 Its almost never ending! Xena is a patient momma, but this nursing and cleaning is sure getting old! In only another week pups will be eating and going potty on their own - the end is in sight, Xena!
30 1 of 12 Check out the Duke of Earl on the far right side.
