** Note: All pups from this litter are currently reserved.
Welcome to the Week 5 pupdate. It is hard to believe these puppies are just about three weeks away from heading to their forever homes. This is one of the largest litters we have had in terms of overall puppy size, and they continue to impress us with how quickly they are growing and developing.
Big Weights for Big Puppies
This week brought another jump on the scale. Blue remains the heavyweight at almost twelve pounds, and the entire litter is weighing in between nine and twelve pounds. For only five weeks old, these pups are truly solid little dogs.
Charlie is now wearing a recovery suit to help her gradually wean the puppies off her milk. The transition is going smoothly, and the pups have adjusted quickly. They now have a water bowl in their pen full time and are learning how to drink on their own. Their diet has also shifted from milk replacer mixed with ground-up food to softened kibble soaked in warm water. They love it, and mealtimes have become an enthusiastic event.
First Snow Adventure
Earlier in the week, Grand Junction had a little snowfall, and the puppies were not entirely sure what to make of it at first. The cold, wet ground was definitely new to them. We were hesitant to take them out since young pups do not like being cold, but after a few minutes of sniffing and exploring, curiosity took over.
Pretty soon they were bouncing around, checking out the yard, and even investigating the reindeer decorations and Christmas ornaments outside. Their confidence grew quickly, and they ended up having a great time experiencing snow for the first time.
Outdoor Potty Training Progress
Their potty training is coming along nicely. They are not quite perfect yet, and nighttime is still a challenge, but during the day they are doing really well. Several of the puppies, including Aqua and Red, had successful outdoor potty trips this week. They are learning the routine and becoming more consistent every day.
Introducing the Tunnel
Week 5 is tunnel week. This is when we introduce the puppies to new textures, sounds, and experiences that help build confidence. The tunnel is always a huge hit, and this litter is no exception. When we bring it outside, they run straight for it and begin racing in and out, tumbling over each other, and having a great time.
The tunnel encourages exploration and helps them spread out instead of staying tightly packed as a group. That tight cluster behavior is very normal in earlier weeks, but as they gain independence and confidence, they start exploring more of the yard on their own. The tunnel is a big part of that transition.
Curious About Shoes and Pants
For reasons we cannot quite explain, Week 5 and Week 6 always bring a new fascination: puppy obsession with the bottoms of pants and shoes. It happens with every litter. While we do not let them chew or pull on clothing, it is funny to see how consistent this little developmental phase is.
Sunshine, Playtime, and Naps
Towards the end of the week we had nicer weather, so the puppies enjoyed lots of outdoor time. We aim for about twenty minutes outside, four or five times a day. After all that exploring, playing, and learning, they come inside ready for a long nap.
Looking Ahead to Week 6
Next week we will continue building on their potty training and introduce more toys, climbing activities, and even beginner stair practice for those who will have stairs in their future homes. This litter is growing fast, learning quickly, and doing wonderfully in every area.
