Rudy & Boink Litter

  June 19, 2010   

*0  Girl & 6 Boys*

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these pups all spoken for

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 1-6 days

Westie  pups are born with their eyes sealed shut and their ears closed., their nose and paw pads are pink and later turn black as they mature.. Their only needs at this age are warmth & food, both provided by their mother.  The litter is kept in our bedroom so they can be closely monitored day & night in these early crucial days.

7-14 days

Between 1 1/2 & 2wks old, the pup's eyes & ears begin to open & they slowly become aware of their surroundings even though they still rely on their mother exclusively for food & warmth.

2-3-wks

At 3 wks old, the pups begin to toddle around and although quite unsteady, they begin to interact more with their littermates and can go for longer periods of time without their mom.  Depending on the litter, I usually move them out of our bedroom into a spare room at this time.  If it is a big litter I start offering soak puppy food to help out the mothers so they don't get to drained. They continue to spend about half their time with their mother and the other time she is taking a much needed break from them.

3-4-wks

At 4 weeks I can start to see their different personalities start to emerge. Some will be explorers while other are cry babies and want to wait until they know it's safe. Weather permitting they go outdoors to get some fresh air and exploring their surroundings. 

4-5 wks

During this time, the pups begin transitioning from their mother's milk  and softened puppy food and Raw meat.   The pups also begin to get their puppy teeth which makes the mom less than enthusiastic to have her pups nurse. They spend more time away from their mother than with at this age.  weather permitting they start to go outside to explore. 

5-6 wks

Most of the time, the pups will be getting their nutrients from Real food by this age but I still like to put mom in with the pups to instill manners and teach them bite inhibition.  and they start to transition to solid food  now that they have their teeth. This is also the age I usually have people come to visit the litter. I move the playpen into the grooming shop so they can socialize with my customers and their dogs.

6-7 wks

The pups are very playful and interact not only with their littermates, but also are now very people orientated and eager for attention. 

7-8 wks

The pups continue to mature and become more confident.  They are very aware of their surroundings and are very playful.

8-10 wks

This is the age at which time most of the pups will go to their new homes.  They receive their first set of vaccinations and an over all vet check to ensure good health before leaving for their new homes.

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