Tachi's 2020 Puppies ~ 7 Weeks Old

One week until...

...some families are getting some PUPPY KISSES!

Here's Tachi & Cooper's puppies at seven weeks old!

Since seven-week pictures of puppies are a challenge because they don't like to sit still, I had a qualified helper hold the puppies while I attempted to capture the cuteness.

The puppies are doing fabulous - growing and changing each day.  Their weights as of seven weeks are as follows: Eddie - 5lbs, 5oz; James - 5lbs, 4oz; Gordon - 4lbs, 9oz; Peace - 4lbs, 6oz; Benny - 4lbs, 3oz; Mercy - 3lbs, 10oz; Theodore - 3lbs, 8oz; and Grace - 3lbs, 6oz.  They are now eating dry Life's Abundance Small & Medium Breed food three times a day.  I feed the group two cups at each feeding, which means each puppy gets roughly a quarter cup a feeding (3/4 cup per day).  In addition to their food, I give them 1/4 of Life's Abundance Wellness Food Supplement.  My adults eat this vitamin like it's the best treat EVER.  The puppies are learning to like it, too.  I use this supplement when my puppies or dogs are going to experience some type of change or stress in their lives - going home, vaccinations, growing during their first year, boarding, pregnancy, lactating, injury, new family member, etc.

The puppies experienced (tolerated might be a better word) their first bath this week.  After a bath with Life's Abundance Revitalizing Shampoo and Bath Fresh Mist, they all smelled amazing!  They will receive one more going-home bath right before they are picked up.

The puppies, of course, experienced new things again this week - the UPS man and another delivery man, rainy weather, lots of leaf blowing noises ('tis the season), meeting more new people, playing more with the cat, several different balls, and lots of love!

On the house training front, they are doing lots of potty business outside.  They show a clear preference for doing their business outside and away from the group.  Though I can’t catch every potty need, I take them out several time a day and they go nearly every time.  Other times, they use the potty box in their whelping area.  They sleep all night and use the potty box as necessary overnight.
 
I will wrap up with a few more frequently asked questions and then some photos.  Keep in mind, this is my last post for this litter as they prepare to go home next week.
 
Will my puppy be house trained when he/she comes home at 8 weeks?  No.  Your puppy will be ready for crate training when he/she comes home.  We do the Misty Method of house training for our puppies.  They have a basic understanding of a place to sleep, play, and potty at 8 weeks old.  They are ready to begin crate training at 8 weeks, but they are not house trained!  This litter has been doing well with the Misty Method.  They consistently keep their bedding area free of potty accidents.  Most of their potty needs go into the potty box.  We keep fresh newspaper in the potty box after they use it, preserving the scent while keeping it clean.

Is it hard for your children when the puppies go home?  Yes and no, and harder for some than for others.  My children understand the responsibility and the training an 8 week old puppy requires because we’ve had the privilege of raising all our adults from puppies.  They love playing with the puppies and are, of course, sad to see them go.  At the same time, they get to see the joy a puppy brings to someone else.  We try to encourage them as the puppies grow that we are helping get them ready for their new family.  When our children ask, “Why can’t we keep a puppy?” we gently name off our adults and say, “We did 'keep' a puppy.”  Another thing that softens the blow of seeing their puppies leave is that new life is part of a homestead - we are hoping for goat kids in December and January.  So, our children may or may not seem sad when you pick up your puppy, but they say their goodbyes before your arrival to limit any teary last-minute goodbyes.

What should I bring when picking up my puppy?  Your puppy will go home with his/her collar, a blanket that smells like his/her littermates, and a bag of treats.  You should bring a leash and a crate for traveling.  Your puppy likely will not go potty on the way home.  Puppies do not like to go in unfamiliar environments.  However, it would be wise to stop every 2 hours to make sure the puppy does not need to eliminate.

What bathing and grooming products do you use?  My crew of mini schnauzers gets a weekly bath using Life's Abundance Revitalizing Shampoo and a mist of Life's Abundance Bath Fresh Mist. The mist is also helpful to freshen them up between baths.  For grooming, if I were told I could have only one grooming tool in my house, it would be a simple comb (as in the human kind).  When brushed weekly, mini schnauzers do not typically get mats and tangles.  I occasionally use a slicker brush.  Rarely, I pull out my dematting tool to get a stubborn tangle.
​
What is your one parting piece of advice for taking home a new puppy?  Take time to invest in training, training, training!  You won't regret the hours you invest in training your puppy - it will pay off over their lifetime.  I highly recommend taking your puppy to puppy kindergarten and obedience school.  And, of course, give them lots of love and patience!
​
And, a few last photos of their time here at Russell Homestead.  Thanks for stopping by and sharing in our joy over this litter.  We give all glory and honor to God for this healthy, happy litter.