Marigold and Bash’s

Update Letters

on to our 8th week of life! days 44-56 and beyond

Good Evening,

Can you believe the time is here! Your pups are 8 weeks old!

Your bags are being packed and microchips are registered. The registration I chose is good for life of your dog, no matter what emails or promotions you receive.

Trupanion: Some families have not had a complete email from Trupanion, so I have included their instructions and links here:

New owners can start coverage with offer code BR1BL51418 by calling into 855.266.2156 or by activating online! The code is only valid 24 hours before going home until 24 hours after.

It is free for you for 30 days, I have arranged for that – but I do require you to register so that it is useable, before you pick up your puppy! Trupanion requires a weekday to be the start date of coverage, so for those receiving your pup on Saturday, we will start coverage on Friday.

Puppy Mouthing, Barking and Attention Seeking!

This is the week of puppy mouthing (biting), barking and attention seeking! They are going through one of their fear periods starting at 7 weeks and ending around 8-9 weeks. It is all normal, necessary, natural and expected by me! So, those are the behaviors we will work with this week. If I am not rewarding these behaviors by ignoring them – but, don’t think I don’t care. I’m just helping them get as far down the road as possible before you pick them up. Sometimes it is like a screaming child who is very tired and bored at the same time.

Mouthing is the accurate term for the behavior you will see at home. They do this because they want to relieve pain! Everything goes into their mouth, and their teeth are sharp! Find your family’s training response to mouthing and plan on being vigilant! If they begin to chew on your arm – immediately turn their mouth away from you. Baxter and Bella can be a great resource for you! Mouthing will continue approximately through the 5th month when their teeth fall out. If it goes much beyond that you need some training help. Make chew toys/sticks your best friend and know that it will END!

Bewitching Hours, these are real for puppies and usually from 7-9pm. Puppies seem to lose their minds with excess energy. This is not the time to introduce new people! Mind games are an excellent way to help them calm down. Home made games are the best and should be simple. A few ideas are:

Treats hidden under tennis balls in a muffin tin, not every muffin place should have a treat.
Using a puppy lick mat to help them calm themselves. A small amount of whole-Greek-plain yogurt smeared on the mat and frozen. Have it ready in the freezer.
Hide from your pup and call the pup to find you, reward with a treat if they sit.
An empty Amazon box with a few treats in it and they need to get in to find the reward.

Fifteen minutes of mind games equals 1 hour of exercise to a small puppy. This gets rid of energy they don’t know what to do with! Baxter and Bella have great ideas for this time of the evening.

I have a binder for each of you. There will be a copy of their vet visit records and microchip information. All puppies had a great health check! Everything that matters is just right! There are no umbilical hernias in this litter, but a few possible base narrow canines.

Possible Base Narrow: At a 6-week Vet visit it is often difficult to determine if a dog will have Base Narrow Canines (BNC). Instructions on how to correct are in the Development section and I have included the right size balls in your bag if needed. It is the simplest of issues and extremely common in Australian Labradoodles (any dog that is a poodle mix, or a poodle). Neither their mother nor father are base narrow. We will look at your puppy’s mouth together when we see each other.

Caution: With that said, if your dog encounters this issue and you use BNC Ball Therapy, they typically outgrow by 5 months. The idea is that they chew on a ball that is the size of their mouth and the chewing force pushes the canines outward. Very easy correction - if only children were this easy when they needed braces! Please don’t let anyone tell you that you will need braces!! Braces are becoming more common and are unwarranted. It is possible that you will hear the recommendation to remove canines before the teeth have time to self-correct. That will be your call if the circumstances present itself. I would wait, play with the ball, and remove teeth only if needed when you spay or neuter.

The puppies are fine with kennels here, but they have their litter mates not too far away. If you do have any problems, just put a large towel over the top when they sleep so it feels like a cave. Make sure they do have a corner or the front of the kennel where they can see you for the first week. Slowly work them into their permanent area. Going home is traumatic and you want to keep them as relaxed and comfortable as you can- they are only seeking to feel safe! Know that your confidence will spread to them. You don’t need to worry about them, they will be great in your care. I encourage the kennel/crate method.

Quiet Time: is another skill worth mentioning. They will seek "quiet time" if it is pleasurable and comes with a treat! If they are kept in a hyper play state too long, they are sure to acquire one bad habit after the other. The flip side of that is, if they are bored, they will also look for ways to get your attention and that usually is aggressive (chewing) or hyper behavior. Walk your pup (when the age appropriate time comes), play with your pup and challenge them by training them in 5 min increments. Down time is very positive for a puppy.

Play Pen & Treats: I would introduce your pup to an exercise pen day one! Place it where you can see it often - a high traffic area. If you are doing clicker training, be sure to click each time they enter and then reinforce with a treat! It is my opinion you can't over treat at this age, so choose your treats wisely! Consider using the kibble of one meal for your treats. For example, train in the morning for 5-10 minutes while giving them their morning kibble.

Meals: They are now eating only 3 times a day and you can move them to twice a day in a few months. Move them to an All-Stages food at 6 months. This will help them not grow too fast, yet in a healthy way. I love Natures Logic, Nulo, Zignature, Origen and others. You can always get a sample bag from the pet store before you purchase.

Just a few things we have worked on last week and many that you can continue with:

· Crate time by themselves

· Eating first and then water after

· Being outside in the dark

· Using real grass & artificial grass & rocks to potty (they don't like rocks much)

· Enjoying water (some of them like it too much and play in the water bowl)

· Enjoying bath time

· Trimming nails continues - they will never like this, but now tolerate!

· Their bottoms trimmed for cleanliness

· Ears cleaned with wipes

· In and out of a kennel

· Safe neighborhood dogs (you want to avoid fear/barking around other dogs)

· More car rides

· More varied surfaces under foot

· Every household sound I can think of :-)

· Stopping in the car and talking to other humans

· Learning to mand (obey commands such as sit and then receive a treat)

· Eat treats out of your hand

· Being away from their littermates for periods of time

· Extended time sitting with someone and relaxing - away from littermates

· Outside time

· Continued use of mop, vacuum, yard care etc.

· Sharing outside equipment with littermates

· Getting too wild and having to learn how to calm down

· Coming when being called (this skill can take some time to learn)

· Kissy sound for time to pay attention to me

· They have taken stroller rides around the neighborhood and met many people.

· They are familiar with rain and sprinklers so they will go potty at your house when it is raining!

· Learning to eat solid kibble and to eat it in a group

Chew sticks and butcher bones have also been introduced and they love them! Butcher bones can be found at many stores, I buy them at Sprouts and a bag lasts a year. Just rinse and put back in the freezer even when the marrow is gone. The cold is helpful for the teeth.

Socialization will play a big part in the temperament and personality of the puppy you will have in a year’s time.

Be wise, but don’t over worry about Parvo. Worry about a poorly socialized dog!

Here are some suggestions to continue exposing your puppy to - start as soon as they come home! You can do these safely and without causing any health danger to your puppy. Just watch what touches your puppies’ paws and you will be good! Have wet wipes handy if needed. If you see great fear, back-off and try again another day. If they are concerned but not fearful, let them investigate! Never push them through a new experience or it can become a lifelong fear.

Adults/older people
Men & women
People of different ethnicities
Big and small people
People with sunglasses
People wearing hoods, hats, backpacks and umbrellas
People in uniforms
Canes, crutches or wheelchairs
Children running
Balls being thrown
Other dogs (don’t play with them unless you know them before 16 weeks)
Bicycles
Skateboards
Motorcycles
Cars
Garbage trucks
Running animals (cat)
Horses, goats, chickens – any other animals they will be around
Shopping areas
Sidewalks with cars going by
All the noises of your home
Babies crying
Fireworks
All types of surfaces

I will miss your puppy and hope you will send me pictures and let me know their new names!

Merry Christmas to all of you!

My best,

entering our 7th week of life! days 43-49

Happy Holidays to all of you!

I am enjoyed meeting you this weekend. Thank you for coming or video chatting.

We have had a very full week for these little pups! And they have been champs through it all.

· They now play outside 2 times a day and love the outside. And enjoy sleeping under the raised bed.

· They have improved on potty training and now are familiar with rocks, artificial and we will introduce real grass and more free play this week.

· Adjusting to ground/whole kibble and dehydrated raw chicken/lamb. They are all good eaters.

· Becoming very familiar with being outside in the dark. This is scary at first!

· Getting use to their stroller rides around the neighborhood and all the sounds at night.

· Heights and more unusual sounds

· Yard care and airplanes above us

· Crates and boundaries and being alone

They eat 3 times a day now. This litter enjoys its food! You will wean them to 2 times a day as you watch your individual puppy grow. You will need to watch the instructions on quantities as they grow. You don’t want to over feed or under. Over-feeding can make them grow too fast and of course, underfeeding is never good. They cry and whine. Remember if they are whining they may be thirsty!

Vet visits are Monday morning. Two items that are of little consequence, but will show up in many breeds:

1. Base narrow jaw (from the poodle lineage), none of the parents have this issue but it pops up now and then. It is not a health concern in any way! It is when the bottom teeth are narrow and the canines don’t cross causing the bottom canine to poke up into the roof of the mouth. This is on the baby teeth and the adult teeth usually come in great if you do Ball Therapy – pup chewing on a ball that is the right width and pushes the teeth out. Then the adult teeth come in perfect around 5 months. It is 95% effective if your pup has a base-narrow jaw. Please try the ball before you remove any canine if that is suggested to you by your vet, it is so easy and you will be playing with your pup anyway. Otherwise, you can remove the canine when they are spayed and neutered so that you don’t put them under twice. If only our children were that easy with their teeth!
2. Second is sometimes a puppy comes out (born) so quickly that as the mom is cutting the cord she pulls on the umbilical cord on the puppy end to hard and they develop an umbilical hernia. They are removed when spayed/neutered. They often correct themselves as well. I don’t see any in the litter, but sometimes the vet will spot something small I miss.
All pups seem more than healthy to me, but if there is something that shows up, I will call you on Monday!

Temperament testing was moved up to this afternoon. Scheduling testers was difficult this time of year. They did wonderful and I have or will talked with each of you individually about your puppies choices. Remember, temperament testing is a snapshot. They do come with their own personality! It goes without saying, the environment that they enter will be the greatest factor for them! Thank you for letting me get to know you and being excited about a life with your new pup!

Note: I don’t pay for formal reports for each pup, I don’t think it is necessary at this age, but I will share the information on weakness, strengths and characteristics with you. I am sure you know that all the pups have both strengths and weakness!

So, what will happen with the pups this week?

The pups are now becoming young dogs—they can see and hear well, run fast, bite hard and bark loudly. They start chewing on everything and can get in quite a bit of trouble. They recognize people they know and can learn commands. Within the litter, pack relationships develop this week you will see pups vying for valuable objects, food and resting places. Real scraps will break out between puppies and that is ok. The pups may become very hard mouthed this week, nipping, mouthing (biting) and chewing on everything, including you, guests, the house, their mom and each other. In their play with each other, they will begin to teach each other bite inhibition. They will each help each other learn their manners. You, too, must help them learn to use their mouths gently. Pups will sleep much less this week and will get easily bored. Keeping them stimulated and tired can be a challenge. I will rotate toys, equipment and activities so they are regularly facing novel situations and learning new things. They will also spend more time outside.

Random thoughts for you to know:

· Little puppies can get UTI's very easy when stressed so I have added cranberry to their meals and will send you home with it as well. I also add vitamins and a probiotic while they are here. I believe a little vitamin; probiotic and preventative pumpkin/cranberry is always easier than a trip to the Vet and more comfortable for puppies.

· I will have three meals with all the extra's prepared for you in baggies so that the first 3 meals at your home will be exactly like they have here. DO NOT EXPECT PUPS TO EAT WELL AT FIRST! You are doing everything right; they are just displaced for a few days to a week and need to relax.

· There will be a small 4 lb. bag of Merrick here for you to take home. All puppies get nervous as they change environments and that can bring on diarrhea, they are NOT sick just nervous, so I will include a tube of Pro-pectalin for good measure in your go home bags. The pectin just firms them up. I really don't like diarrhea!

· Puppies do have quiet music (lullaby/classical) playing in the evening and quiet time. There is a YouTube station called Relax My Dog (free) and then the Beetles have a great lullaby album as well ~ my favorite!

· Your puppies have tiny necks at first and it is hard to find the correct collar and leash. So, I purchase them for you from Lupine. I love their collars and leashes. They are guaranteed for life (although they will grow out of this collar and narrow leash). If your dog chews on them, you take a picture with your phone and send it to them with an e-mail and they send you a replacement. Very easy! If you have already purchased a collar and leash, they will need a larger one, so hang on to it!

· I use Tide, All (dye-free) or Mrs. Meyer laundry soap in case your puppy gets itchy. No one is itchy now :-).

· Again, in my opinion, the most important puppy items are: a crate, an exercise pen, chew toys (some in your go-home bag), soft bedding, treats for rewarding & love!

If it is easier, most products are linked to my website: https://orangeblossomlabradoodles.com/recommended-products

You can get everything, BUT YOU DON’T NEED IT, to have a happy, healthy puppy.

Order your food if you have not. If you wish to change foods, I recommend you wait 60-90 days and then change over very slowly (14 days). I also recommend buying your dog food before you run out and mixing some of the new bag in with the old bag. Again, I avoid diarrhea on every side!

I give vitamins, to them and dehydrated pumpkin & cranberry when needed for healthy digestion. That is up to you! There are a few vitamins on my shopping page, and all are good. Also, an Amazon link for dehydrated pumpkin, cranberry and Geneflora (probiotic).

**Remember to get your vet appointment scheduled within a few days of going home so that your Health Warranty is in place. VETS are very busy right now! It is always nice to have two visits looking at each puppy.

I will have all health records and your microchip registration ready when you pick-up your puppy. You only need a health check ~ no shots at this visit.

**I ask that everyone registers for your free Trupanion Pet Insurance (I provide a 30-day insurance policy for you) before you pick up your puppy. That way anything that unexpectedly happens, and is part of their policy, is covered from my doorstep to yours and to your vet visit!!

You will receive that invitation from Trupanion through your e-mail later this week with a link to sign up in the final week before pick-up. There are no obligations to continue after your free period! I have had pups get hurt right away in a new environment, we need these occurrences covered. Experience has made me a stickler on this.

I will be sending your Adoption & Health Warranty Contracts to you after puppy selection as well. You can sign and scan back to me. Any questions - just call me!! Just a reminder that you are purchasing a pet puppy not a breeding puppy. Breeding puppies are a different arrangement and price. I will need to obtain a copy of your spay/neuter certificate once they are spay/neutered to be associated with the World Australian Labradoodle Association.

Your remaining payment can be sent in as soon as you chose your puppy, if you have not already.

The balance is: $3,000 - $500 deposit = $2,500 balance. (I pay the city and state tax).

My website link is: https://orangeblossomlabradoodles.com/payment

Venmo (they don't charge a fee) or

Paypal (Paypal has a fee), just add the additional amount listed to cover the fees if this is the option you choose.

Enjoy your week! Pictures are posted

My best,

beginning their 6th week, day 36-42

Good Evening!

Your pups have woke up and are beginning to show us their personalities !

The puppies are now moving from the Transition stage to the Socialization stage this week. They are past the transition to sight, hearing, and awareness. They are ready to get down to business with the skill of investigation. As the week goes by, this can look like a whole lot of trouble on the camera, but it is all necessary for a well socialized puppy! They are learning to speak their mind and mind their manners with other dogs.

I like to make sure that a new sound, experience, adventure is introduced each day. They seem to take on the new adventure or sound each day with a bit of caution and then by the end of the day, they are good to go. We have been working heavily on the new experiences in and out of the pen. They will start receiving a small nibble of a treat as a reward for eye contact. This is a precursor to training. Gaining and holding the attention of your puppy is the mother of all good behavior! They have to control their impulses to give you their attention.

I introduce the clicker for training and offering a small treat each time they hear the clicker. We need to remove the puppy to a quiet area alone when using the clicker, so the other puppies are not confused. No rush for them to be interested, just introducing.

I really believe in positive training and find the clicker to be a great addition. The order is:

· request action

· click when action is done

· reward with a treat

The click at the right moment is to “mark” the good behavior; this is the key. Getting the treat in the mouth is not a hurried element, but the click is, it has to be just as they are obeying!

Potty training: They have been doing an amazing job for their age. They are where I want them as far as potty training. Starting this week, we will be training on the grass and artificial turf outside.

You will notice this week their eyes are tearing. This is normal. As the skull grows it pushes on the optic nerve and they tear until it all gets settled inside.

There are great potty-training videos in the Puppy Development section this week. You will also find in the Puppy Development one of my favorite items, a letter was written by a family of a fellow breeder. I am grateful she shared it with me so I could share it with you! I think it is a wonderful example of the first week with a new puppy. Perspective and expectations are always healthy to manage. These puppies have been on a fast track learning as much as they can before they come home, but they will still be puppies for some time yet, and they will act age-appropriate, I wish I could promise differently, but I know better, puppies will be puppies!

Highlights for this week with your puppies:

· water play - outside in the warm part of the day

· obedience training

· manding (following training commands)

· more sounds they have not heard yet

· eating only 3 times a day! Hallelujah!

· being in the dark outside

· being without their littermates for periods of time

· experiencing the kennel with the door shut (I'll introduce kennels this week)

· yard care, garbage trucks and airplanes outside that fly over our home

· Of course, there is always work to be done on improving potty training.

I look forward to our family visits coming up!

If you are not scheduled - please schedule this weekend!

Here is my address:

2625 N 24th Street #19, Mesa, AZ 85213. Gate code: #5252

As you enter the gate - Turn left, 6th house on the left, Tall tan box with blue shutters and flowers.

Each family will have 45 minutes to play with the puppies while we chat about what characteristics would be a great addition to your family. You don’t need to wear masks, just come healthy and with clothes that have not been around any other animals. If you are unhealthy or have been exposed, it is important you not come, we will Facetime instead. I need to stay well to finish all we want to do for your puppies! I’ll have you take your shoes off and clean sock will be available for you if you don’t have your own.

Here is the link to remind you how I handle the puppy adoption process.

Review of my Puppy Allocation Process Link:

https://orangeblossomlabradoodles.com/puppy-allocation

I look forward to seeing you soon!

All my best!

beginning their 5th week, days 29-35

Beginning their 5th week, Day 29-35

Good evening,

This litter has really grown up this week! I absolutely love when they decide humans are good and they look you in the eyes!

This litter loves to be together and snuggle, not all litters do that. They are seeking human interaction and now recognize when I am calling them for mealtime. You will see them come and bid for our attention now by licking a toe or pawing. NOTE: This is the beginning of watering eyes. Puppies grow in parts not uniformly. So they can look a bit misshaped until 8 weeks. The skull is growing now and it pushes on the optic nerve and they tear for quite some time. No worries! That is also a reason you keep eyes trimmed. We will start trimming! You will see the watery eyes in the pictures.

If you’re thinking the puppies are sleeping too much and no fun... just wait. They will be coming into their own in the next week. They have graduated to the big pen so they can see outside their box, the pen will continue to grow as their potty skills get strong. The bigger pen always presents a challenge to our growing potty skills, but it is necessary for them to see outside the pen through the slats and interact. This is called the Transition Period for your puppy.

There will be an amazing change in the puppies during the 5th week. They will go from walking, to trotting then running, all in a few days. Suddenly they will be able to climb, leap, chase and pounce. I am sure you notice the introduction of a slide today. It was fun to watch them take it all in. This week they will begin to see well enough to look up for people’s faces. They will hear better, though not great, and will begin to locate sounds. They can now control their body temperature just as an adult dog can. And those sharp little teeth are arriving. Ouch for momma! Momma may visit, but she will be heading home this week. These pups need to be ready to eat on their own at your homes. I want their tummies adjusted to food and their desire strong. Labradoodles can sometimes just do without food they are not huge eaters and should be a lean dog, not skinny, but lean.

Special Note: Be careful to not compare puppies and their development, each puppy progress at his/her own rate and it has nothing to do with intelligence or being a good-puppy long-term! They always catch-up to each other by 7-8 weeks.

Never worry about having a too quiet or settled pup! I guarantee you will have a pup that will play as much as you want to. I am trying to teach them to settle and self-entertain. That seems to be the mother of all good behavior – Attention & Settling.

One of the most interesting developmental changes this week is when they approach their fifth week, they are attracted to novelty. That characteristic fades over the next month until the pups will be fearful of new things. We want to introduce pups to as many experiences over the next month as we can.

Now that the pups can hear, it is time to start introducing them to the many sounds they will hear during their lives. The sounds I want to focus on include vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, heaters, garbage disposals, microwaves, toilets, TVs, and faucets. An introduction to other sounds, such as traffic, children playing, and other dogs will follow next week. I can introduce the real sound or with recordings.

Throughout this week, my primary goal beyond new experiences and sounds will be to give the pups a good start with potty training so this will always take priority! Right now, they know when they need to #2, but often #1 happens before they realize, or they just put their front feet up on the racks. That is the hardest to train.

It is all about puppy behavioral patterns right now. You will now see that being born within a litter is perfectly designed. They learn what we can't teach them, but momma and littermates can teach!

They will learn a lot about biting and posturing in the next several weeks, especially as the teeth come in! I will let them learn these lessons. You want me to let them learn from each other! I will step in if they go over the edge or are in a bad pattern, but their rough housing actually helps them be more gentle and non-aggressive when they come to you.

Four weeks old (in their 5th week) is a fun but awkward time for the puppies! Momma will stop cleaning them up and they will struggle to even relieve themselves without her stimulation. You will see long periods of potty-time pushing, which are normal! I have started ground soaked kibble. They have been introduced to water but are not fans!

In Preparation for Puppy:

The “Puppy Preparation List” is under the 4th week Puppy Development button. I will also attach to your email.

Puppy Food:

There has been quite a stir about dog food lately. I use several sources to choose my dog food for the puppies. I always have my dogs eating the same brand of food as my puppies do. I have chosen Merrick Grain Free Puppy Real Chicken + Sweet Potato. I will also add in crumbled Stella & Chewy Lamb patties. I check between each litter to make sure there have not been any recalls. I believe you will find this to be an excellent food! You will always need to consider quality, variety of proteins and cost. For the future, Merrick has many protein choices for you as your dog grows. I also enjoy Nature’s Logic & Nulo both topped with freeze dried proteins such as Stella and Chewy.

Going forward, you will slowly move out of puppy food after 6 months into the adult food. If you do not like the food I have chosen, you can change to a favorite of yours after several months. To make sure your dog has a well-balanced nutritional life, I suggest mixing a few great quality brands when they are eating adult food. Rotate and vary their food wisely to not upset their tummies but also to expose them to many types of proteins and foods. Take 2 weeks to transition new food. Following the quantity on the bags as they grow will help them not be over or under weight.

Again - Puppy Scheduled Appointments:

December 9-11 (Thurs-Sat) Individual family visits!!

**Although, if that is a busy holiday weekend for you, we can meet as early as 5 weeks starting Dec 3rd.

There are several families that have not scheduled yet. Just text me: 480-678-0064

My address is: 2625 N 24th Street Unit 19, Mesa AZ 85213. Gate Code: #5252, Turn left, 6th house on the left. Tall tan box with blue shutters & flowers!

Here are the date/time options for you to select from for puppy visits:

Thursday, Dec 9th, scheduled between 10-3 pm
Friday, Dec 10th, scheduled between 10-5 pm
Saturday, Dec 11th, scheduled between 9-3 pm

Dec 13th - I will take all pups to their first vet well-visit for shots, a once-over, nails at a groomer and their microchips placed.

Dec 14 - Temperament testing

Dec 14-15 - Puppy selection (I will start calling as soon as I have the results of temperament testing).

Note: I will call you and we will discuss the puppies. At this point you have already had family visits, and I will know your preferences and we will discuss your preferences in relation to the information I have from the Puppy Temperament Testers.

Dec 15th - Final Payment due at 7 weeks of age

Dec 22-25th - This is a long go home option, but it is the holidays and I want it to work for your family.

Go Home dates:

Dec 22-25 scheduled between 9-4pm

Call me if there are special circumstances, but just know that all pups need to leave on the 25th because we will be heading out of town to visit our children for Christmas :-)

NOTE: I think it is helpful for puppies to have a bit of playtime to adjust in your home before bed.

IMPORTANT VET VISIT SCHEDULING

Decide on who you will be using for a vet and make your Vet Visit appointment NOW. Schedule it within 5 days of taking puppy home (3 business days). It is wonderful to have two Vets checking our puppies over and it also validates the health warranty! All you will need on this visit is a well-check!

You are just over 4 weeks before your little one comes home; it is a perfect time to get the whole family on the same page with training. If you have not taken the time to look at Baxter and Bella, please do. They will start your family two weeks out with family puppy training.

I also have two articles for you to introduce your new puppy to your older dog, if you already have a dog and the other about barking! It is under the Resource area: 5th-week Puppy Development. There is also a sample of Baxter and Bella training in this week’s development section.

Hope you enjoy the pictures! I am always happy to answer any of your questions, just know that as training picks-up my email and texting skills seem to diminish! No fear, I will answer it just takes a bit longer.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Don’t forget to look at the Development Section and training/preparation articles included!

My best,

entering their 4th week, days 22-28

Hello everyone!

This is a bit long, but will hopefully answer many questions, so have courage and read on!

The puppies have done really well growing & developing this week! All of them are hovering around 2 pounds. Plenty of milk to share. Marigold is exceptionally patient t, but you can see she is hurting as teeth are coming in! She is a very vigilant momma. Food has been introduced to help mama survive and begin the weaning process! They seemed to tolerate it yesterday and will love it more each day. It is a puppy food mousse mixed with puppy formula (milk). We will move to just straight puppy mousse and then soaked ground kibble and eventually just hard kibble. All stages will have Stella and Chewy lamb patties ground up and in the food. This litter is so sweet and we are right on schedule. Not a crier in the bunch - bless them! This litter seems to have an extra momma, my Violet! She is chocolate in color and lost her litter a couple of months ago and she wants in on the action. I am trying to keep her out of the pen, but YES, she will outsmart me. She also loves being a momma. She will nurse with no milk, no problem.

Important Puppy Cam note:

The puppies look much much larger on the Nest Camera than then are. So does momma. You will be surprised when you see them! They fit in the palm of my hand.

Calendaring:

Email, text or call me with a time that you can do the following:

If you are out of state, let’s schedule a FaceTime so you can meet each puppy and ask your personal questions!

I will schedule you as you contact me. Remember I take Saturday afternoon and Sunday’s off from communication.

1. Puppy visits with your family (45 minutes for each family). Date options below.

2. The day/time you would like to pick up your puppy (30 minutes for each family). (Let me know if you are interested in a Christmas delivery).

Dates To Take Note Of:

December 9-11 (Thurs-Sat) Individual family visits!! **Although, if that is a busy holiday weekend for you we can meet as early as 5 weeks starting Dec 3rd.

Here are the date/time options for you to select from for puppy visits:

Thursday, Dec 9th , scheduled between 10-3 pm
Friday, Dec 10th, scheduled between 10-5 pm
Saturday, Dec 11th, scheduled between 9-3 pm

Dec 13th - I will take all pups to their first vet well-visit for shots, a once-over, nails at a groomer and their microchips placed.

Dec 14 - Temperament testing

Dec 14-15 - Puppy selection (I will start calling as soon as I have the results of temperament testing).

Dec 15th - Final Payment due

Dec 22-25th - This is a long go home option, but it is the holidays and I want it to work for your family.

Go Home dates:

Dec 22-25 scheduled between 9-4pm Marigold’s pups are 8 wks on December 24th, but their is no magic in 8 weeks. I think they as a litter altogether they just become monkeys and rough house the last week. Momma will have returned to her family by then.

Call me if there are special circumstances, but just know that all pups need to leave on the 25th because we will be heading out of town to visit our children for Christmas :-)

NOTE: I think it is helpful for puppies to have a bit of playtime and time to adjust in your home before bed on the first day.

When you come to take your puppy home, I will need at least 30 minutes with each family. I would like to go through the puppy notebook I have prepared for you, as well as a bag of my favorite goodies. NOTE: I will have a small bag of dog food for each of you and samples of supplements, a leash & collar for this small size, treats, chew toys and sticks. You will need to order your food before puppy comes home though. I will explain more about food next week, I like them on the food for a week before I tell you about it. Here is the link for the food and other products: https://orangeblossomlabradoodles.com/recommended-products

Now for Puppy Talk:

Most of the development that the neonate puppies have undergone has been internal so far, but now we are moving into the external. A good dog momma provides nearly everything puppies need to survive and grow. Lactation is a truly amazing phenomenon whereby a bitch produces an evolving fluid that hydrates, feeds, immunizes, and provides bioactive substances such as key enzymes and probiotics for her puppies. The composition of her milk evolves with the pups over at least the first four weeks with changing levels of protein, fat and other factors as the puppies need them. That is why we add food slowly. The act of nursing is also finely tuned. Puppies are physically challenged in order to access their mother's milk to build locomotor skills, coordination and strength and her milk actually speeds myelination of the pup's nervous system, thus increasing their development. The jerking you see while sleeping is ESSENTIAL! I look for and if I don’t see it, I know I have a sick puppy. It is their muscles preforming isometric exercises involuntarily in preparation for survival.

External development is continuing, and the eyes are open now and ears are beginning to open! Hearing will be muffled and fuzzy, but they will begin to track and alert. Eyesight will continue to clear, and lights are turned on now.

Changes will happen daily now. They are all so gentle and slow in what they try to do at three and four weeks. Look for little paws reaching out to each other and the beginnings of mouthing and play. All necessary & perfect development. I always enjoy weeks 3 & 4! I do often call is sloth week, but not the case for this litter!

External Developments – you will be seeing

· Vocalizing to broadcast they are not happy with their situation or need help. Barking has started and often scares them!

· The litter-box is in action already. They can all manage elimination on their own now, so it is time! They are doing so well, I expect lots of mistakes.

· Momma will step away from cleaning the puppies up soon and it will be up to the pups to keep themselves and their den clean. It is amazing how quickly they learn.

Essential Truth: Make sure you praise all their successful efforts when they come home. They repeat anything that gets them attention, including bad behavior, so plan on a positive reinforcement method of training. When a puppy has an accident and you get upset, they only learn to make sure they do that behavior when you’re not looking. Then you will find little surprises behind furniture.

· Food has been introduced this week.

· Seeking human interaction and attention! They really did not prefer the human touch until now.

Before puppy comes home take time to make your home and property safe for a puppy. This can look very different than for your current, established dog. Below are a few suggestions on puppy-proofing.

Puppy Proofing Tips

· Get on your puppy’s level. Lay on the floor and get a “puppy’s view” of your home.

· Protect your puppy from any toxic plants (I send home a list).

· Move trash cans out of reach of your puppy.

· Look for any drowning hazards. Full buckets, bathtubs. keep toilet seats down.

· Move all cleaning supplies and medications up and away.

· Secure and elevate electrical cords. Puppies love to chew on electric cords. Electrical cords can cause burns in the mouth. You can buy various cord covers.

· Be aware of poisonous human foods (I’ll send home a list).

· Falling risks. They can easily injure themselves falling. Broken legs are common in new puppies. Secure stairs and carry puppy up your stairs until they are at least 16 weeks to protect their growing joints. Keep them off beds if you are not holding them as well.

· Elevate and secure cords for draperies and blinds. They are an unexpected strangulation risk!

Training your Puppy

We all talk about it, but we find it harder to implement! Puppies are much happier if they have boundaries and are engaged in learning good social skills. They are also happier as a family member if they get their breaks and quiet time!

· Find a positive reinforcement trainer and have them available within the first few weeks.

· Better yet! Sign-up for Baxter and Bella. You will see info & discount code on my site. I am sold on them; it is the most cost effect and comprehensive program I have ever seen. It is a one-time charge that lasts the life of your dog (the same cost as one trainer visit to your home). https://orangeblossomlabradoodles.com/baxter-and-bella. Anytime a family has had an issue they can’t seem to train I recommend Baxter and Bella and I have had 100% happiness. They will also prep you for puppy coming home! https://orangeblossomlabradoodles.com/baxter-and-bella

· Again, consider reading training books before puppy comes home or watch videos/YouTube so that everyone in the family is on the same page! This is essential for consistency with the puppy.

Don’t forget to look at Week 4 Day 22-28 Development section to find your Puppy Prep List and suggestions to Avoid a Barking Dog and preparing for the Door Bell video!

I love this litter! They are so sweet and silky and their faces are so lovable. You can see, they love to cuddle. Hope you enjoyed their pictures this week!

My best,

Ending Week Two & Beginning week Three

Beginning Week 3, Day 15-21

Hello Everyone!

Your puppies are developing daily! The puppies are now all between 1-1.5 pounds and their rate of growth is perfect. They have all more than doubled.

The pups’ nervous systems have been developing the last two weeks, so we have let the puppies sleep and grow while stimulating and introducing new experiences carefully. In the coming weeks, you will see a much more active group! By eight weeks you will know why no one would take an entire litter home.

ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) finishes on day 16 but scent work will continue. We will add stinky smells this week like vinegar and stronger plant smells. They can tolerate and experience more input at this point.

Your puppies eyes are open! When the eyes open the crawling and efforts to walk increase. They begin to use their new sense of sight to find mommy. They will now reach up to nurse as she stands. The ears have another week to be sealed. It is amazing to watch the ears open up slowly; like the unfolding of a flower in slow-motion.

Your puppies’ nails are sharp and are continuing to grow at a rapid rate. They will be trimmed every three days while nursing, to protect mom. Sometimes we file the nails, sometimes we use a dremel, and sometimes we clip them. This helps to introduce all three methods. Toenails are easy to cut and manage yourself, but if you prefer not to, any Vet office or grooming business will do it for you. If you don't keep nails trimmed the quick of the nail grows longer inside and it is difficult to get them back to the shorter length. This is a great article for "how-to" and "why to" trim: https://caringhandsvet.com/trim-dog-nails/

Mama will spend a bit more time out of the box this week. As the puppies demand for nursing becomes very heavy, sometimes she needs a break. At the end of this next week, teeth will bud and that becomes painful! Momma is happy to take care of her puppies but she does know what is good for her body.

The puppies are beginning to void on their own and momma will not be able to catch it all. So we will soon begin to introduce potty training.

Everyone is weighed twice each day to make sure they are all getting enough milk. The normal deworming protocol has begun this week. You will also see a syringe of probiotics being given to them often. It is for support and preparation of the stress that accompanies the introduction of puppy mush! As soon as I feel teeth, I introduce a puppy mush.

You may also see puppy jerking. As they sleep they will jerk, it is isometric exercise for puppies and it strengthens them as they sleep.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call, text, or send an e-mail! I have to admit, text is the best way to reach me. My phone number 480-678-0064. I find that the speed of my return email is in direct correlation with the time requirements of the puppies.

I would strongly suggest you grab a great puppy training book and read before puppy comes home. Many are on Audible as well. It is much easier for the puppy if everyone in the home is on the same page before the first accident or nibble!

Pick a positive training book and make it your bible. If you are able to begin training the day you get your puppy, everything will be easier! This will only support what they have been taught here. But they will test you, so knowing what behaviors you want help you to train for them.

You do not need all the books I suggest, but they all have a slightly different spin and are excellent reads.

Zac George's Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising ....
Lucky Dog Lessons: Train Your Dog in 7 Day by Brandon McMillan
Perfect Puppy in 7 Days: How to Start Your Puppy Off Right by Sophia Yin

You should be able to find everything I recommend on the following link: https://orangeblossomlabradoodles.com/recommended-products

I also strongly support and suggest Baxter and Bella. You can read more about them on my website. There is a coupon if you wish to use them as your video trainer. They offer remote, recorded, written, live and individual training options to meet your needs. Their fee is a once-in-a-lifetime fee. It is less than one session of a personal trainer coming to your home and they are amazing! They start training you immediately and offer a 2 week prep course for the family before you pick up puppy. They also specialize in Australian Labradoodles and are the most familiar organization I have ran across that help train our specific breed. If you sign-up make sure you use my code to receive a discount I pass on to you.

I have great articles on week 3 Development section worth reading - please check that section out:

The Importance of Play and the 10 Most Important Thing to Teach A Puppy!

This litter is a bundle of joy! As pleasant as can be and all allow a great bit of handling. Pictures are posted!

My best!

Week One

Week 1, Day 1-7

Good evening everyone!

We are coming to the end of our first week and as usual Marigold is being such a good momma! Puppies are growing like weeds . They were born between 5-8 oz. at birth and now are 10-15 oz on day 8. The goal is to double by day 10 and we will easily make that!

Marigold delivered on Saturday 10/30/21 in the wee hours of the morning. We have 2 handsome boys and 6 beautiful girl. Here are their names for the next eight weeks before you name them yourselves.

“Our Whoville Litter” – How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Pink Female – Martha May
Yellow Female – Lou Lou Who
Purple Female – Lizzy Who
Orange Female – Donna Lou
Green Female – Betty Lou
Red Female – Cindy Lou
Blue Male – Groopert
Black Male – Max the Dog

Pups are sleeping 23 hours a day right now and you won’t see much action on the camera unless they can’t find momma. They are darling - but not too exciting yet! Everyone appears very healthy and I will turn the camera on Sunday morning, 10/7/21.

Momma is spending the majority of her time with the babies. This past week the babies have needed their mother for warmth, nourishment and to be cleaned. Without all three the puppies would not survive.

The puppies could not hold their own temperature until day 5, activate their own digestive system and have a bowel movement without their mom licking them. Their eyes and ears are both sealed and will continue to develop for a couple of weeks. The eyes will begin to open in one week and in two more weeks they will begin to hear.

The puppies' strongest sense is their sense of warmth and smell. They use both of these senses to find Violet and milk!! They are all terrific nursers and have begun to scoot. I do keep heating pads under and on top of the floor coverings for safe measure.

On day three (post birth) until day sixteen, we do Bio-Sensor feedback

(Early Neurological Stimulation - ENS) which helps them build healthy immune systems, improved cardiovascular performance, stronger adrenal glands, more tolerance to stress and greater resistance to disease.

We started on day 3 and will continue through day 16

Both AVI-dog and Puppy Culture follow this protocol. I truly believe this impacts your puppies!

Background of ENS if you care to know: The U.S. Military in their canine program developed a method that still serves as a guide to what works. In an effort to improve the performance of dogs used for military purposes, a program called "Bio Sensor" was developed. Later, it became known to the public as the "Super Dog" Program. Based on years of research, the military learned that early neurological stimulation exercises could have important and lasting effects. Their studies confirmed that there are specific time periods early in life when neurological stimulation has optimum results. The first period involves a window of time that begins on the third day of life and lasts until the sixteenth day. It is believed that because this interval of time is a period of rapid neurological growth and development, and therefore is of great importance.

The "Bio Sensor" program, early neurological stimulation (ENS) utilizes six exercises, which were designed to stimulate the neurological system. Each workout involved handling puppies once each day. The workouts required handling them one at a time while performing a series of five exercises. Listed in no order of preference the handler starts with one put and stimulates it using each of the five exercises. The handler completes the series from beginning to end before starting with the next pup. The handling of each pup once per day involves the following exercises:

1. Tactile stimulation - holding the pup in one hand, the handler gently stimulates (tickles) the pup between the toes on any one foot using a Q-tip. It is not necessary to see that the pup is feeling the tickle. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.

2. Head held erect - using both hands, the pup is held perpendicular to the ground, (straight up) so that its head is directly above its tail. This is an upwards position. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds

3. Head pointed down - holding the pup firmly with both hands the head is reversed and is pointed downward so that it is pointing towards the ground. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds

4. Supine position - hold the pup so that its back is resting in the palm of both hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling. The pup while on its back is allowed to sleep struggle. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.

5. Thermal stimulation - use a damp towel that has been cooled in a refrigerator for at least five minutes. Place the pup on the towel, feet down. Do not restrain it from moving. Time of stimulation 3-5 sec

I love ENS and believe it is essential for our pups! Of course, it is not the only time they are handled in the day, but the Bio Sensor program is done only once a day. I love to tickle their tummies. :-) These exercises are meant to introduce TINY amounts of stress on the puppies. While tiny amounts of stress are helpful, large amounts of stress are not helpful! If a puppy is flailing, complaining, or strongly fighting the exercises, we stop because that is too much for that day for that pup.

Mom will begin to leave the box more often now to protect herself from too much nursing and to simply take an emotional break. The pup’s nails are also growing rapidly. They have been cut twice already and will continue about every three days. Nail trimming will not be scary for them after 8 weeks.

Mommas need a lot of calcium after giving birth. The puppies will drain their bodies dangerously low. It is a bit like being starved of nutrients and it can make her feel like she is going crazy! You will see me give a syringe squirt of calcium paste that can be absorbed quickly. I look for panting, nesting or strange behavior. That is the indication that she is getting too low in calcium.

Momma and puppies will also receive probiotic every four days given in the same syringe way until they are old enough to have it in their food. Right now, they are just starting to have a gag reflex, so I place the probiotic on the roof of their mouth. When the camera is turned on you will see me squirt all kinds of nutrients in both momma and puppies.

I love healthy puppies and we are fortunate to have 8 very healthy, beautiful puppies in this litter. 1st-week pictures have been added to the website and Instagram. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to call me Monday – Friday @ 480-678-0064.

We have quite a range of color in this litter. Irish white (rare and always stays bright white and very thick) to Caramel & Red with white mismarks and one solid Red!

Now is the time to chat if you are not comfortable with all the colors! Sometimes everyone wants a different dog and sometimes they all want one dog and that is tricky, I am sure you can appreciate that! So, call me or text me, rather than email me. I’m busy with the pups and don’t get to my email as much as I wish.

Wishing you all the beginning of a beautiful season!

Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small, was singing without any presents at all!” Dr. Suess

My best!

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