Week 4 Development

By the time a newborn puppy turns 4 weeks old, they are ready to start if not already started the weaning process from their mother’s milk and continual care. Hence it is time to introduce commercially available solid foods, among other fun and exciting things too. We will strive to:

• Continue the activities of all previous weeks by strengthening and lengthening.

• Gradually wean. puppies over the upcoming couple of weeks be separating them from their mother for up to multiple hours at a time. Each whelping pen will have an appropriate potty spot and fresh water will also be introduced and available.

• Periodically we will offer high-quality puppy food softened with warm water and ground Stella and Chewy Lamb for a boost in protein. This will move to 4 solid meals and then 3 before going home.

• New objects introduced daily to them.

• Create random puppy challenges like a home-made teeter-totter, food puzzle, or bridges and barriers to cross in order to obtain toys and treats as a way to encourage thinking. We want to see problem-solving.

• Will add enthusiastic puppy call, such as “a kissy sound” for meal time or “here puppy, puppy” for activities which will later become our “come” command.

• We begin training the puppies on the “yes” marker word. Wait for a puppy to sit, mark “yes” and give a treat - repeat regularly. From now on, always expect a puppy to sit before any interaction. They will learn that sitting to be greeted is their way of asking politely for something that they want, nothing in life is free.

• Introduce the puppies to other household friendly pets, such as cats or dogs.

• Depending on their ability at the end of week four, we may introduce the outside.