4 weeks old Schnoodle Puppies.... super cuddly!

Honey is 4 weeks old!

Sparky

Sparky has super soft plush fur

The puppies turned 4 weeks old yesterday.   The both weigh 3lbs.   We took them outside since it was such a lovely Autumn afternoon.  Honey was a bit more unsure of her new smells and surroundings.   Sparky was very relaxed about the change of environment.

Honey is growing a super wavy thick coat.

Honey

Sparky is a very laid back fellow.

Yum Yum! First solid food .....Weaning begins

A new milestone is here!  The puppies are now 4 weeks old and ready to eat solid food.  They are eating 3-4 small meals per day of mushy puppy food.

The puppies are definitely ready for their first puppy food meal.  They had no hesitation to dig right in.  It was as if they had been eating solids all their life.   I am feeding them puppy food that has been mushed in the blender with warm water to make a creamy consistency that is easy to lap up.  The puppies still do not have any teeth.   And they are using to drinking.  So I have to start with a food close to the consistency of gruel and gradually increase the texture over the next few weeks.

Misty is still nursing the puppies several times a day, but the time spent nursing is less and less.   As I increase the puppies food, I decrease Misty's food.  By decreasing the Mamas food, her milk will also decrease.  Weaning is a gradual process that will happen over the next 3-4 weeks.

Out of the Whelping Box into the Pen!

     Today I discovered my puppies had gotten strong enough to climb out of the Whelping Box/ Kiddie Pool.  That's the time when I move them to the bigger pen with the Ugodogs.   If they can crawl over the edge of the pool, they can certainly crawl onto the Ugodog potty to do their business.

      Every year that I have a litter I get something new for the puppies, and this year I decided to get an ISIS Plastic Pet Pen.   This is the Best Selling Puppy Pen on Amazon, and I definitely think it is worth it.   The pen is super easy to put together and is very sturdy.  I like the clean white look.  You can also buy add on Panels to make it bigger. 

I lined the bed area with cozy Sherpa fleece.  I put the Ugodog right next to the Sherpa fleece, so the puppies will find the potty tray as soon as they step out of their bed.   They have actually started using the potty already.   I lined the Ugodog with Newspaper to absorb the wetness, and also to give the Ugodog the newspaper smell.  Newspaper has a distinctive odor and it will help the puppies to know where to potty even with a brand new Ugodog.   Essentially the puppies will be Ugodog trained as well as paper trained.

  

As you can see there is lots of room for Misty to nurse her puppies, and the puppies will have more room to play and explore.  

Moving the puppies to their big puppy pen is another milestone in the puppies journey.  Now they will be developing clean potty habits for the future.   A clean pen is very important aspect of potty training.

Look how big these puppies have grown!!!

I think Misty likes the new space.  Hopefully the puppies love it too!  

Keeping the Puppy Nursery Germ free

          As any good dog breeder I am extremely conscientious about cleanliness for my puppies. I have never had any health issues with ANY litter, past or present.  And I want to keep it that way.   Every year when I start a new litter, I do not reuse the items from a previous litter until I can disinfect them.  However, it is also important to avoid strong chemicals around young puppies.

What I like to use for SUPER disinfecting is a bleach solution (use away from the nursery!).   That is what I am soaking my UGODOG trays in right now.   They will sit in the solution for 15 minutes, out in the garage.  Then I will scrub them some more, and hose them down with water to rinse.  I don't bring them into the nursery until they are completely dry.   This method will completely sanitize the Ugodogs potty systems so I will feel confident putting them in the puppy pen for this years litter.  

          Studies show that Parvovirus, Canine Corna Virus and Kennel Cough can be resistant to everyday disinfectants so it is important to properly disinfect.   These viruses have never been present in my home...but I like to be extra careful anyway!


Bleach Solution: – 1:10 ratio
For most surfaces: mix ¼ cup bleach with 2 ¼ cup water
Toys, food and water bowls and grooming supplies: mix of 1 teaspoon bleach per 2 cups of cold water

Bleach Precautions:
Toys and other items must be completely dried before puppies can use them.  Bleach fumes are toxic. Always clean items outdoors or in well ventilated area.

Never mix bleach with any other solutions besides water
Bleach is strongly corrosive and can only be used on certain surfaces
The surface being cleaned must be in contact with bleach for at least 5 minutes to effectively disinfect


I do not use Bleach Solutions in the nursery while puppies are present because of the harmful fumes.  

Here is what I use for daily cleaning inside the nursery....

 

Homemade Solution for heavy duty floor cleaner: ¼ cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap, ¼ cup baking soda, 2 gallons tap water, very warm to hot.

Some other options are as follows: 
• Baking Soda – cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
• Borax – (sodium borate) cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.
• Lemon – one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household bacteria.
• Isopropyl Alcohol – is an excellent disinfectant.

If you have visited a questionable breeding facility where there could be sick dogs, the Animal Shelter etc,  you should take precautions against Parvo in your puppy room before you bring your new puppy home...Being extra careful to avoid disease is very important until your puppy has had his full set of vaccines. 

Remember, Parvo is transmitted by direct contact with an infected animal....BUT ALSO by the feces and that can be carried by shoes.  Parvo can live in soil for up to one year.  Bleach is the only solution recommended by the CDC to kill the Parvo Virus.  Here is more information by the SPCA on Parvo...https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/parvovirus


Remember:  Bleach is recommended by CDC as the only 100% solution for fighting Parvovirus .


Disinfecting floors with a bleach solution before you bring your puppy home is a very good precaution. (have plenty of ventilation until the floor is dry) 

After your puppy has received his full set of vaccinations, these diseases will not be a concern.   So be sure to keep your puppy on his vaccine schedule!

Funny Moments with Nursing Puppies!

       It is pretty funny watching the fat little puppies nursing.  They are rather noisy, they often nurse in very funny positions.   But the funniest thing I've seen was watching Misty earlier this week.   I could tell you about it.....but I might as well show you!

While Misty stretches on her back, the puppies are not deterred from nursing!

Isn't that hilarious!   I have never seen a dog nurse their puppies that way...but it didn't seem to hold those puppies back!   

Coco is in the corner looking on.  She seems very curious about this whole puppy thing.

 Of course, once Misty noticed Coco was hanging around, she had to get up.

 Misty's intense stair tells Coco that she does not appreciate an audience.     

Misty is actually getting much better about her over-protective attitude.   She actually does allow Coco to check out the puppies now and then...but as you can see, she still supervises every visit very closely.  She is a very good mother!

Coco can look....but is closely supervised.

There is something cute and funny happening every day.  My little boys are calling me over all the time to take a picture.  Mostly I can't get my camera out fast enough.   I was lucky to catch these moments on film.

3 week old Schnoodles!

 

Sparky is 20 days old now!

           The third week is a very exiting time in the life a puppy.   As the sense of sight and sound come alive for the litter, the little puppies change dramatically.  We could see the puppies eyes opening more and more through out the week.   But the most exciting thing happened on Friday.  I came in the front door and all the dogs were barking excitedly.  All of a sudden I heard a little Tigger....Grrrrooo!   I looked over to the Whelping Box and Honey and Sparky were testing out their vocal chords, tails wagging with excitement, ...and Honey trying to climb over the edge of the whelping box!

When the older dogs started barking, Honey thought she could join in the fun.

The puppies wanted to join in the excitement!   This was the first strong evidence that they were hearing with their ears and seeing with their eyes.   They were imitating the older dogs.


Over the last few days I have also noticed the puppies starting to play with one another.  They are slow and pathetic.  But that makes it even more adorable!

A first wresting match.  Honey has the advantage....

.....but Sparky shows he is pretty tough stuff.

Sparky tries to bite Honey, but not having teeth, Honey is not impressed.

The puppy experience never gets old for me.   I love it!   Watching the puppies meet new milestones is always such a thrill!

Our Little Girl - 13 days old

This little puppy we call Honey.   We named her Honey, because she is the color of honey and extra sweet as well:)  

Honey is an even color tone over her whole body.   She has extra soft fur with just a bit of wave to it.  No doubt she will have curlier fur as she gets older.

Honey's eyes are just starting to open.  She cannot see fully yet, but as her eyes open she will see light and blurry forms.  Her eyes will quickly adjust over this next week to where she will be able to see much better.

Honey is super sweet and calm.  She seems to like it when we pet her.  She is also very she quiet at this point in her life.   She sleeps 90% of the day as she is still growing tremendously.

The puppies doubled their birth weight in the first week.  It is not surprising that at almost 2 weeks old they look quite a bit bigger .

The first few weeks of a puppies life is called the Neonatal Stage of Development.  Their eyes and ears are closed.   They rely almost exclusively on their sense of smell.   And their smell is very keen.   They can smell Misty and scoot over to her very easily.   They seem to know as soon as she comes into the box.   You would think they could actually see her!   We are excited for their eyes and ears to open so they can start exploring their world!

Our Little Boy - 13 days old

This is Sparky,  My kids call him Sparky because he has a little lightening strike on his forehead.  He also has a white chest.

He is now 13 days old.  His eyes will be opening very soon.  He is already twice as big as when he was born.

He is very calm and quiet when we hold him.  He does not seem to mind.  Sometimes you can see his little nose twitching as he takes in new smells.

Sparky is still in the Neonatal Stage of Development (birth through 14 days),  At this stage the most crucial needs for the pups are warmth and food.  The puppies are not able to regulate their body temperature yet.   We keep the house warm (about 75 degrees) and I have a puppy Microwave Heating Pad in the box, in case a puppy needs it.  I can tell the puppies are comfortable because they are quiet when they sleep, yet actively find their mamma when they want to nurse.  They do not curl up in a ball, seeking warmth from one another, so I know the room is warm enough.

I am so happy we have almost reached the 2 week milestone!    Once their eyes open they will enter the Transitional stage of development (2-4 weeks)  which is characterized by greater mobility, and the ability to explore his world.   The puppies get cuter and cuter everyday.  We cannot wait to watch them  start to enjoy their sense of sight and hearing during this coming week.

One happy mama!

Misty is sure enjoying her little babies and is being such a perfect Mama for her first time.  She stays with them day and night, nursing, cleaning and adoring them.  

Puppies are getting nice and fat.  There is no waiting in line at this Dairy Queen!

Such a good attentive Mommy!

Misty does not like to leave their side.  But every now and then she has a burst of excited energy in which she runs around to different people in the house looking us with a sparkle in her eyes, and grinning from ear to ear as if to say, "Come take a look!   I have BABIES!"

"Come look!  I have babies!'

She doesn't mind if me or the kids hold her puppies for a few minutes.  But she is very protective when it comes to the other dogs.   If the dogs get too close to her litter she may even get irritable and snappy with them.   They seem to know they are not welcome and tip toe around when they are in the nursery.  

Coco!  No means NO!  You cannot see my babies.

     
Coco is not the Diva anymore.  Misty is ruling the nest now!  Poor Coco.  She likes the babies.  They smell nice.  She just wants to take a quick peek.

My new whelping box cover!

The day that Misty came into labor I was busy finishing her Whelping Box Cover.  This is a fleece covering which covers the cheapo plastic kiddie pool that we use for the puppies when they are first born.   I don't actually use it for labor and delivery, as it would get pretty soiled.  I line the Kiddie Pool with newspaper for whelping.  But once the puppies are born, it is important to have a cozy cover to put over the plastic Kiddie Pool.

The new Kiddie Pool Cover is warm and cozy!

I don't actually like to sew.   But I am motivated to go through the trouble by the benefits in the finished product.   The most important aspect of this cover is its safety.  Mama dogs tend to scratch their bedding a lot to get comfortable.   This can move a loose blanket around quite a bit and be a danger to the puppies who crawl underneath and get suffocated.  This Whelping Cover is secured around the lip with elastic which makes it impossible for a puppy to get under it.  And it securely stays in place even if mama scratches it.

Misty and puppies have plenty of room to stretch and grow!

The floor of my whelping cover is made of Sherling Fur.  The fur keeps puppies warm....which is imperative for a newborn.  It allows liquids to pass through and the puppies stay dry.  The Sherling also provides good traction for the little puppy claws so they can crawl about easily and develop strong leg muscles.

The puppies can stay in the whelping pool box for the first few weeks of life.   When they start to be able to walk, I will move them to the pen so they can start using their Ugodog potty.

I haven't seen any commercial suppliers for this cover, and there are no patterns available as far as I can see.  So I had to create my own pattern.   It worked out perfectly and I am super happy with the results!   Now to make a few more so I can trade them off for washing.....

Dew Claws Removed!

Yesterday we had the puppies dew claws removed.  The little girl had dew claws removed from the front paws and the back paws.  The little boy only had dew claws on the back paws.   It is interesting that some puppies have more dew claws then others.  It is just a difference in genetics.  

Honey sleeps like an angel even after having dew claws removed.

Both puppies did not seem bothered by the little procedure.   That is why we remove them at 2-3 days old.  Because they are so young, the dew claw is nothing more than a little tab of skin with a tiny claw.   Nerves have not developed in the area yet.  They are snipped away with scissors and the tiny wound stops bleeding in minutes and heals within a few days.

Sparky is the little bruiser who took his time coming into this world!

Why do I remove Dew Claws?  Dew claws can be an annoyance for a puppy.  They can be a very painful injury if they get caught in rugs.   They are also a maintenance issue since if they need to be clipped or they will keep growing.  It is worth removing them while it is easy to do.

When puppies get older removing dew claws is much more involved, requiring stitches, anesthesia and several weeks of healing.  If the dew claws are still present on an older puppy, it is best to leave them in place.   After the first week of life, the pain and difficulty involved with removing dew claws outweighs the risk to the puppy.

I am glad my puppies have natural tails and ears, because they are such an adorable part of a puppy.  Plus they help the puppy communicate with their owners.   A tail also is used by a dog for balance.   But dew claws do not serve any purpose.   It is worth removing the dew claws within the first few days after birth to avoid any potential problem that they could create later on.