Pete & Brigan Litter 5/31/07

1st born - Male

Day 1

1 - 7 days

8 - 14 days

15 - 21 days

Brigan decided that whelping would be best facilitated beside our bed instead of the nice whelping pen that we had constructed for her. Whelping went off without a hitch, beginning with the first delivery at 5:15 am and ending with #6 arriving at 9:30 am. First 3 days we allowed them to continue in the bedroom then moved to the dining room whelping pen.

Brigan decided that anything that makes noise must also be a puppy and collected all the toys in the house that squeaked or made any noise at all and brought them to her whelping box, so we ended up with a litter of about 14! The puppies quickly learned to navigate and crawl around any and all objects in the whelping box. We began switching out different materials flooring materials into the box each day to expose them to surfaces. Nothing bothered them, not even the fake grass. Not Much activity yet, but they are allowing handling of all body parts without fussing and crawling a lot.

We began bottle feeding raw goats milk for socialization purposes only. Brigan had plenty of milk and was caring very well for the puppies. Each puppy was handled daily. Eyes began opening around day 10 and were fully open by day 12. Puppies were crawling/toddling around box, out of whelping box into pen, and over objects. We continued to introduce new surfaces for the puppies to crawl and toddle across.

From 14 - 21 days, the puppies became very active. They are not just toddling but gaining coordination and beginning to play with each other and the toys around them. My parents raised GSD's when I was growing up, and I never remember any of our pups being this active or coordinated at three weeks of age. They are amazing! We expanded the puppy pen from a 4 x 4 area to a 4 x 8 area. These pups are being grown up in the house, in the dining room area. They are being exposed to textures, noises, and interaction now with the other dogs of the house who are allowed to come up to the pen and say hello. Brigan can now enter and exit the pen whenever she wishes, and is doing a great job of taking care of them. They began eating meals of blended goats milk and baby food twice a day while continuing to nurse.

22 - 28 days

From 21 to 28 days they began running, jumping, climbing, basically behaving like real puppies! Introduction to clicker training has begun. Very short click/treat sessions with baby food on the finger reward! All are being great students!   We moved in half an airline type kennel with fleece for their sleeping quarters, which they are no longer soiling at all. They are getting out of the sleeping box and going to potty in other parts of the pen. We have also added puppy pads and other objects, including a small flat board visible in the bottom picture with a roll taped to the bottom to provide an unstable see-saw object, which they run over or play balancing on it in the middle.  In the corner we added a "rubble pile" box which contains shredded cardboard and large chunks of compressed cardboard, all of which they are loving to climb all over. Some of their toys are interactive toys which move and make noise, which they love to stalk and attack. We also have tug toys on the floor and hanging from the sides which they are beginning to tug on. All appear to be black and white.  One male and one female have a decidedly shorter coat than the others. Pups are now eating 3 - 4 times per day a blend of goats milk, Volhard NDF am/pm crumbles, raw meat, veggies/fruit, and kefir. We are using satin balls, frozen bill jack, and chicken baby food for training. The pups are currently learning to come when called and we just began working on sit.

29 - 35 days

# 6 male playing with ball

#5 female chewing bone

#1, 3, 5, & 6 playing in the rubble box

Still working on getting video uploaded. They are behaving like real puppies now. Play, eat, sleep, and potty. We are now taking them outside into puppy pen for short trips. We have increased the size of the teeter with no problems and also have added a tunnel which they all love. We removed the rubble box and replaced with a potty box. The Kennel top was added this week to make a cozy den. The door will be added next week. They are being placed into a small kennel nearby during clean up following meals. They are all snuggling up with each other in the kennel and going to sleep and must be woke up to put back into the puppy pen. The rubble is now real rocks, blocks, wood, etc. We have also made little wobble boards which they love to hop onto and walk across.

36 - 42 days

Outside play began this week.  We started small puppy runaways and hide-n-seek and all love the game. This week we began road trips: to the vet for DHPP and routine worming, to their Nana Kay's training building for a round of play and socialization, and daily short trips with each pup. (its just ice in the sonic cup) Had to go to a larger vari-kennel for bed, as they were outgrowing the other one. No potty accidents in the kennel now, and they are predominantly using the boxes with shredded cardboard and newspaper. Introduction to human remains began this week with click and treat sessions on human bone. This went very well and no puppies showed aversion. PAT testing and other aptitude testing will be performed on Friday and Saturday  after they turn 7 weeks old.

43 - 49 days

50 - 56 days

Week 7 all of the puppies were loaded up and taken to Puppy Love for PAT testing. All of the puppies tested well in regards to social and prey drive. Two puppies showed some sound sensitivity which we will be working with them on. All of the puppies love to play tug.

Pups got their first official bath and went to a puppy visitation at St. Joeseph's Rehabilitation Center.  The pups got to visit with a variety of patients and also got traded among volunteers to be carried in the facility. All did very well and were asleep by the end of the visit as demonstrated by Caile (aka monkey biscuit) <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< All began eating fresh raw turkey necks this week, which was done with vigor and enthusiasm. Puppy pen now has paper removed and potty boxes only. Pups are doing very well, using the potty boxes with very few accidents. Had to take the soft bedding out of the crate though, as they are chewing on everything now and do now want accidental ingestion. Each day we work on sit, down, and come with clicker.

This week has been a big week of change for the puppies. New places and new routines. They are also learning manners and to sit for treats and petting. They went to see their GranNanna Kay and got their first introduction to livestock. All were interested and took their turn at following the goats. Next they got to go for their first real swim in the pond. Everyone got in the water and a few of them swam very well. New toys in the pen and outside: a fire truck with buttons that make noises and a little tykes jungle gym with  a rope tug fixed in the center. They love the slide! Cephira and Caile have had one additional session on hrd (bone). Routine now consists of being crated daily for eating and napping. All are doing very well. Following naps or meals we go outside for potty breaks. We continue to have the potty box in the pen, but are encouraging outdoor pottys. Week 9 will be eye checks and then they will be ready to go to their new homes. This has been the most fun litter I have ever had. I will miss each one as they go to their new homes.

CARAID (aka Cara)

1 year old PUPDATE

Jaime Greenway & Hoss

Hoss is in training for trailing and human remains detection.

Jennifer Blanton & Wink

Wink is in training for area search and human remains detection.

Ben Alexander & Phira

Phira is in training for human remains detection.

Rowan is in training for human remains detection.

Caile is in training for live find disaster and area search.

Carra is in training for evidence recovery at this time.

Ben Alexander & Caile

Tiffanie Turner & Carra

Tiffanie Turner & Rowen