After the first three weeks of being separated and quiet, the babies were ready to come to the big play pens this week. Both litters were born in our bedroom so we could watch and ensure everything went well. Then they spent the next three weeks in seclusion – Ginger’s in the corner of our bedroom and Paula’s in Richard’s office. We keep young babies in a low sided whelping box (aka a 50 gallon low side Rubbermaid water trough lined with old towels) and then transfer them when ready to the play pens.
The play pens are set up side by side in the breakfast room – I have cleared all the furniture, covered the wood floors with 4 layers of plastic tarp, then several layers of newspaper. Then we set up the portable dog play pens (Drs. Foster and Smith) and add blankets, toys and automatic waterers and feeders to start the babies on food, water, toys, and human companionship.
Having the babies grow up in the middle of household/kitchen traffic ensures they are used to a variety of people, other animals (cats and dogs) and have ample opportunity to visit and play with us. They become used to all the sounds of daily life: washers, dryers, TV, visitors, doors opening, cooking etc etc. This allows a great deal of input and learning while the Mom is close by – it also allows Mom to come and go while being able to check on the pups frequently. I think this is important for their development, mental stability, sense of security and socialization. We want to send our pups to new homes well loved and ready to learn life at your house. Exposing them to a variety of experiences while they feel safe with their mama means they come to you with a sense of “been there - done that”. Our goal is to send you a secure extrovert who is ready for introduction to a new environment.
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