Puppy Photos - Jammer x Clover Puppies - 7 Weeks Old

Please read this IMPORTANT NOTICE about Bryndir Puppies.

Week 7 Report

It's official at Bryndir: Clover is the "World's Best Puppy Mom!"  I've never had a bitch who was as attentive and tolerant as Clover. Every time I think she's given up nursing, she asks to go back in the puppy pen. She doesn't stay as long as she used to, but she is STILL producing milk and WANTS to feed her babies -- needle-like teeth and all. When she's had enough nursing, she growls and nudges them away. I think she should start the doggy chapter of La Leche League. Not only is Clover still nursing, she also will occasionally eat extra chow so that she can regurgitate it for her puppies (gross! but instinctual). They happily lap that up after they nurse. She also still insists on getting into the puppy pen to do clean up duty (the poopy patrol). She'll even jump in there herself if she has to (if neither Richard or I are around to assist/lift her in there.) The pups are also happy to eat the soaked puppy kibble I offer to them now. 

The puppies are starting to get big enough that I think they may soon be able to escape their puppy pen. When the first one does escape (or comes close), it's time to start crate training the pups. They will learn to sleep in individual crates which is very much like a den to a dog - a comfortable, calming, quiet place where they go to rest and feel safe. A crate is NOT a place for punishment. I don't know how they'll react to sleeping in separate quarters rather than the comforting puppy-pile-up they have grown used to. I imagine there will be a lot of crying when they are first separated. Of course, they will still spend their play time together in the puppy pen when they can be supervised by their human parents.