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This page has pictures, videos and weekly development reports for Lacey's Goldendoodle puppies from 3 days old to five weeks old.
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Lacey’s Goldendoodle puppies are now five weeks old. They are cuddly little bundles of furry energy, with strong bodies and sharp teeth. They are active and vigorous. During days of warmer weather earlier this week, they enjoyed playing in the backyard. They got their feet wet in a kiddie pool. They wrestled on the grass and rested in the shade of a low table before rushing off again. The puppies have graduated from a nutritious gruel to softened puppy kibble. Their meal frequency is down to three times a day. Their mother nurses a few of them briefly several times a day, so they will soon be weaned. Because of the pandemic surge, I’ve regretfully told my fabulous volunteer helpers to not come anymore. The puppies and I are already missing their enthusiasm and dedication. My son, husband and I continue to work with the puppies on their conditioning and training. Yesterday we began working on the “come” and “sit” commands. The puppies are also being exposed to desensitization sounds that I play from YouTube. These sounds include thunderstorms, fireworks, city traffic, children playing, babies crying, airplanes including helicopters, and dogs barking. The puppies will play outside as weather permits, and otherwise in a large area of a converted bedroom. Evenings my husband and I cuddle them one by one while we watch television in the living room.
Goldendoodle Puppies in the Yard
The puppies enjoyed being outside during warmer days early in the week. They romp and explore and wrestle. But the sun is so bright and the sky is so big! They gather together in the shade and protection of a low table until they are rested and ready to dash off again.
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Lacey’s Goldendoodle puppies turned four weeks old this week. They celebrated with their first trip outside during gorgeous fall weather. They were at first hesitant about the sunny and grassy new world they found themselves in. Now (taking advantage of the warm spell) they have been out for a third time and are loving it! For the past week I’ve been feeding them a pablum of goats milk, rice powder cereal and softened ground up puppy kibble. The proportion of kibble is increasing and soon I won’t be grinding it up, although it will still be softened. They continue to nurse on their mom several times a day, but are less reliant on it. They are awake for longer periods and are more active and social with each other. They play after meals. They play bite each other on the ears, tail and legs, and sometimes they get up on their hind legs and box each other with their forepaws. After play time they settle down and sleep again until their next meal. They are comfortable walking on a variety of surfaces including a wobble board. During this past week the puppies have been introduced to grooming tools, including brushes, combs, the vibration of an electric clipper on their backs, and the sound and feel of a hairdryer. They are getting pretty good (not perfect!) about using the litter box in their pen.
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Lacey's Goldendoodle Puppies Outside for the First Time
On their four-week birthday, the Goldendoodle puppies went outside for the first time. It was a gorgeous warm fall afternoon. The puppies were hesitant about these new surroundings but gradually became accustomed to the new smells, new sounds, and more room to explore and play with each other. Now that they're going into their fifth I'll take them out every day as long as weather permits.
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Lacey’s Goldendoodle puppies were three weeks old on Thursday, October 29, 2020. They are definitely puppy dogs now; no longer just little squirmy balls of fur. Their eyes are open and their faces are adorable, with little black eyes and black noses. The curls and waves in their coats are developing. Their ears opened a few days ago so they can now hear and respond to voices. Walking can be comical to watch, especially when they are in a hurry, but they get around well and with a sense of purpose. They are developing a sense of themselves as individuals separate from their litter mates. They have new vocalizations—not just squeaking and chirping but also huffing, barking, growling and trilling. Very cute! They play gently with each other while settling down after nursing. All continue to gain weight at a good rate. They have been peeing and pooping on their own for most of the past week. They still spend most of their time sleeping and nursing in the whelping pool, but escape the pool when they wish to explore the larger exercise pen. They receive twice-daily individual cuddle and socialization sessions. This week we’ve been introducing toys, working on eye contact and providing new surfaces (crinkly bags, tarps, carpeting, hard floors) to walk on. Next: a litter box!
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Lacey's Goldendoodle Puppies Settling After Nursing
After nursing, Lacey's Goldendoodle puppies roam their whelping pool and play with each other while settling down for another long nap. At 23 days old, their eyes are fully open and their ears opened during the past week. They walk with purpose but are still a little shaky. Their play is gentle but will become more vigorous over the next few weeks.
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During their first two weeks these newborn Goldendoodle puppies did nothing but nurse and sleep. By ten days old they had more than doubled their birth weights. Three days ago their eyes began to open and now they are beginning to walk! For the first time they recognize each other as something other than a warm pillow and are beginning to play with each other. These are big steps in their young lives. It’s the beginning of their interactions with the world. Of course they still have a long way to go. Even when their eyes first open, they can’t see very well. Their vision will clarify over the next few weeks. Their ears remain closed but will open by the middle of next week. And whereas just a few days ago they were still pulling themselves around blindly on their bellies, they have now taken their first wobbly and uncertain steps to roam their whelping pool. Vision and walking are a powerful combination! They explore the limits of their confinement and return easily to their mother and littermates. Sometime this coming week they will begin climbing out of the whelping pool and I will enlarge their world into an exercise pen. Still, most of their time will continue to be nursing and sleeping. Their coats show hints of the curls and waves that will develop as they grow up. Their nails have been clipped for the first time. Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) is completed as of this weekend. Soon I will encourage them to make direct eye contact with me. When their ears open in a few days I’ll begin their socialization exercises, and I’ll describe them to you each week.
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Lacey's Goldendoodle Puppies Roaming Their Pool
With eyes opening (not quite all the way yet) and wobbly legs, the puppies are beginning to explore the confines of their whelping pool and interact with each other. Every day they become stronger and more adventurous. Baby barks and whines have been added to their vocalizations. Play sessions are still short after nursing. Sleep is still the priority!
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Lacey’s Goldendoodle puppies are now ten days old. They nurse vigorously and are growing rapidly. They have already doubled (or more) their birth weights. Their eyes will begin to open next week and their ears will open soon after. In the meantime, they are very vocal with squeaks and chirps and contented grunting while nursing. Last Sunday I began Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS). ENS consists of five gentle daily exercises for each puppy. First I tickle the bottom of one foot with a Q-tip, then I hold the puppy straight up with head pointed to the ceiling, then straight down with head toward the floor, then on its back (supine), and finally I set it down feet-first on a cold damp washcloth. Each of these five exercises is done for only five to 10 seconds. ENS improves their cardiovascular performance, stimulates their heart and adrenal glands, increases their tolerance and recovery from stress, and improves their resistance to diseases. (ENS was originally developed by the U.S. military as the “Bio Sensor” program, later called the “Super Dog Program.” The benefits have been subsequently confirmed in veterinary literature and renamed “Early Neurological Stimulation”.)
Daily ENS exercises will continue into the puppies’ third week, when I will begin in-home socialization and training. I will try to file these reports regularly on Saturday afternoon or evenings.
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Lacey's 10-Day Old Goldendoodle Puppies
Four of Lacey's Goldendoodle puppies are nursing. Two have become separated. To find her again, they turn their heads back and forth to sense her body heat. If they are too far away this is unsuccessful. Then they squeal loudly in distress until I come to rescue them. Since I was already watching I was able to move them back in her direction quickly. They are still crawling but getting stronger every day.
Lacey’s Goldendoodle puppies were born early Thursday morning (October 8) and are now three days old. She delivered five girls and four boys. Their eyes and ears remain closed for now, but they are very vocal with squeaks and chirps and contented huffing while nursing. Lacey is very attentive to their needs and licks them frequently to keep with clean. She is with them constantly except for brief trips outside to relieve herself. The puppies are all healthy and are nursing vigorously. They are growing rapidly and will double their birth weight by the end of next week. They jerk and twitch while they sleep. This is not dreaming, but a normal automatic condition that helps with their early muscle development. They can’t walk yet, but drag themselves around on their bellies, pulling with their claws which are small but sharp. They aren’t very steady and sometimes fall or roll over comically. However, they have a strong righting reflex and work hard to stay upright, except when sleeping! Click the thumbnails below to see the full images and videos.
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