Classical Conditioning...

Since Sunday the puppies have been getting solid food. Each time I put the food down I say "puppy, puppy, puppy" and blow the whistle three times. Sunday evening they barely looked at me. Monday morning they got up and wandered over. By lunch on Monday they leaped into the air and flew over to me to get their meal. These guys love to eat!
They have had lots of company and spend much of their time by the pool. They are busy near the pool finding things to chew on and trying to engage the big dogs who are swimming in the pool.
Take a look at the new photos and video clip.

Hey, we have a pool!

It just gets busier as the pups get older. They all went swimming this weekend and just loved it! We took them out of the pool and they kept jumping back in. They have started on their raw diet. Their first meal was BRAVO! chicken blend. It was gone in a flash! When I call them to eat I blow the "come in" whistle as I put the food down. They are having great success with the pottying so far. They sure woke up this week -- they are real puppies!!

Hey, that tickles!

Today was very busy for everyone. The puppies had seven visitors to spoil them throughout the day and also three guys cutting a hole in the wall in their room for a new air conditioning unit. Now it can get really hot - they won't care because they have their own AC :) Aunt Marcy dremeled their nails today. They didn't mind at all - just thought it tickled a bit.

They spent a bit of time outside this morning. Tomorrow they are going to the pool to experience another foooting.
Lots of stones and pavers to run around on. We'll begin their education about edges tomorrow. I'll let you know how they all do.

Party Animals...

They are just four weeks old and have been the hosts of two parties already! Here you see Ms. Orange with Mariella. She sat and looked at her for a very long time. We've had LOTS of company with ages and sexes ranging from my Aunt Marcy who is in her mid 80s to little Michaela who is not even a year old yet. The puppies take everyone in stride. Everyone is following instructions by putting any puppy that might be looking like it needs to potty into the box so now the puppies are all looking to use the litter box on their own. I find that amazing!
They all greeted me at the side of the pen this morning for the first time and then went outside for a romp in the grass. Orange girl after four hours of company raced from one end of the pen to the other four times as fast as her little legs could carry her. Each time I think one has the most energy another puppy becomes the energizer bunny! All is quiet now. They are very good during the night, I almost never hear them. Hope it stays that way. I've posted photos but there may be doubles up for now until I get some time to edit the posts. Enjoy!

Look, we're four weeks old!

It's hard to believe they are four weeks old today. Mr. Brown hit four pounds and everyone else is gaining daily. They have been living in the den where they have a new, large potty area. I spent the day being prepared to put them in the box anytime after they woke up or played. It feels hopeless when you start, but Mr. Blue ventured in the box on his own to do his business - time well spent!

Their play times last longer and when they are done they CRASH! Dart was playing with them today after she finished nursing this afternoon. She is just like her mother who loves to play with her kids!

Music critics?

I've tried to get a post up and the computer has been freezing. No time to fix that so I just waited for Marcy, the computer geek.
It's exciting to see what the pups will do each day. They really move around easily. They are developing their own personalities, but one thing they all do is let you know when there is music playing - they begin to howl! They howl if it's on TV or if my phone ring tone is the musical one. At first I thought it was an accident but it has happened four times.

It's been very hot out so we use the pen in the kitchen where they can be more comfortable. They have had lots of visitors. Today Aunt Judy brought Kim (her teenage granddaughter) and a huge box of toys for everyone!
I'll be uploading more photos and video so hope Marcy fixed the problem so you can see them.

Lots of Visitors

The puppies had lots of visitors today. Everyone spoiled Dart and enjoyed spending time with the puppies.
We put a puppy play area together so we're ready for their move later this week.
I didn't have time for many photos but I managed to get a few put on the smugmug site.

A quiet day

It's been a quiet day at the Comedy Club. The puppies are really engaging each other now. Ms. Pink grabbed the bed with her mouth and shook it. It's so much fun to watch them mature into dogs. I put up more photos and video trying to catch some of their interaction.

We've moved .... again!

It's hard to believe I have not updated the blog since Monday - time flies when you're having fun. It was very hot and the puppies were not happy. You'll see photos of some puppies in my bathroom trying to cool off on the shower floor. We moved the gang into the kitchen - the coolest room in the house. By midnight everyone was happy and settled in for the night. Dart is spending much more time in the whelping box to be sure the puppies are getting enough to eat. They really woke up this week! They are vocal and moving around quite well. They are beginning to interact with each other. I have uploaded some photos and videos - enjoy!

We've moved!

We moved everyone to the larger box in the den (thank you, Cindy!). Dart seems to be managing better in the box without stepping on or laying on anyone. Since the puppies are learning to use their legs this gives them much more room to see how they work. Everyone seems more comfortable and nobody is getting stuck under the pig rail.

Goose is enjoying being part of the family but doesn't think the pups are of much use since they cannot play with a ball yet. Dart is wanting to DO SOMETHING these days so we go to the pool a bit more than usual. I've uploaded some new photos and a few videos. I hope they give you an idea of how much fun these guys are.

The first "bark"...

The comedians are really moving around!
When Dart gets in the box they begin frantically squirming trying to find her and someone let out a bark. Gayle Watkins once called the puppies "milk seeking missiles" and I think that says it all. Nobody's eyes are totally open yet but they are beginning to look like Mr. Magoo. Tonight's "scent" was duck. It was really interesting watching them soak it in.

I took a few photos while they were asleep. They were a huge hit with Devon and Georgie, grandchildren of a student of mine. The kids were wonderful with the puppies and Dart was great with them.

Eyes are opening...

Their eyes are beginning to open so we'll be stopping photos for a few days. Today's Biosensor scent was grass and they loved it! Some stuck their muzzle in the dish it was in and they moved it around a bit. Nobody likes to be put on the plate! You cannot predict how long it will take each of them to make it off the plate. They love the reward of being put back with mom to nurse.

Check the link to the photos, it's the last you'll see for a few days.