2019 Labradoodle Puppies

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 Tessa’s Labradoodle puppies are seven weeks old on Wednesday, July 24. From their birth weights of about half a pound each, they have already grown to nearly nine pounds. There is only half a pound of difference between the smallest and the largest. They are nursing only twice a day as they transition to dry puppy kibble: Purina ProPlan Savor Puppy. The puppies go outside several times a day to a protected area in our backyard where they explore a variety of playthings including a kiddie wading pool, a Little Tykes playset and other toys. I’ve begun adding enough water to the wading pool to get their feet wet. They are still a little cautious about this. This morning I trimmed their nails again while my husband fed them treats. They handled it  well and did not complain or squirm (too much). We also gave their fuzzy little bottoms a trim. I'm working with the puppies to have them sit in front of me. Some of them are naturals at this, while others are more interested in exploring the living room. They’ve been getting lots of cuddles from visitors. Mom Tessa has been playing with her puppies and today I managed to record a play session on video. See this and a couple other short videos below. On their seven weeks birthday this Wednesday they will visit their veterinarian for health exams and their first round of vaccinations. Adoption Day is coming up quickly: Saturday, August 3. I will miss these adorable little furry bundles of energy, but take comfort knowing they are all going to good homes where they will be well taken care of.

Tessa’s Labradoodle puppies were five weeks old on July 10. They are stout little things with soft thick fur, solid tails and strong legs—very cute and cuddly!  I had the puppies outside again yesterday, and introduced them to the deck for the first time. The doors to the deck give them access to the larger backyard, outside their usual play area. The steps down to the patio were a new challenge. They tired themselves out exploring the yard and plantings until they finally had to rest in the shade of some flower pots. The puppies normally get outside twice a day to a protected area of the backyard where it’s easier to keep an eye on them. They enjoy a variety of playthings including a kiddie wading pool (without any water so far). Their favorite chewtoys and hiding places are my irises which fortunately are past blooming now. They also enjoy tussling with each other. This is usually pretty gentle, but as they grow older they are becoming more vigorous and loud. Their baby teeth are mostly in now and they are sharp! Tessa has been nursing her puppies a couple times a day, supplemented with softened puppy kibble mixed with formula. A couple days ago I began transitioning them to dry kibble. Today (Sunday, July 14) the puppies got another bath and then sat (on my dining room table) for their puppy portraits. Wednesday they will visit their veterinarian for the first time and receive their first round of vaccinations. Adoption Day is just two weeks away, on Saturday, August 3!

 Tessa’s Labradoodle puppies are three weeks old Wednesday (June 26).

The puppies are nursing vigorously and are gaining weight at a good rate. They are all about five times their birth weights. Their eyes are opening but they don’t see clearly yet. Their ears will open by the weekend. They still spend most their time nursing or sleeping, but are beginning to play with each other. Tessa is a good, careful mother and spends most of her time in the whelping pool either nursing or sleeping with her pups. The puppies’ faces are becoming more distinct and the curl in their coats is obvious. Their nails have been trimmed once.They received Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) daily through last weekend, and will begin socialization exercises as soon as their ears open. In preparation, I’ve moved the litter from the quiet seclusion of the whelping room to an area at the end of my kitchen where they will be more exposed to family sounds, activity and attention. They are adorable!

I took these pictures when the puppies were eight days old. They are still completely dependent on their mother who is with them constantly except for her meals and brief trips outside. The puppies are all healthy and nurse vigorously. They have already doubled their birth weights. Their dew claws have been removed. Their eyes and ears will remain closed until near the end of next week. I began Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) on their fourth day. ENS consists of five gentle exercises for each puppy individually, once a day. First I tickle the bottom of one foot with a Q-tip, then I hold them straight up with head pointed to the ceiling, then straight down with head toward the floor, then on their back (supine), and finally I set them down feet-first on a cold damp washcloth. Each of these five exercises is done for no more than five seconds. ENS improves their cardio vascular performance, stimulates their heart and adrenal glands, increases their tolerance and recovery from stress, and even improves their resistance to diseases. ENS continues until their eyes begin to open, about their 16th day, when I will begin in-home socialization.

Click the thumbnails below to see the full images.

Tessa whelped six healthy, vigorous puppies: three girls and three boys. The deliveries were normal and without complications. The puppies began nursing immediately. Tessa is a calm good mother. She is careful with her puppies, who nurse quietly and sleep next to her (and on her) when they are not nursing. They have all gained weight during their first few days. When they sleep they jerk and twitch. This is a normal condition that helps their muscles develop. Their eyes and ears are closed and will not open until their third week.