Tachi's 2023 Puppies ~ 7 Weeks Old

My favorite picture from this past week isn't a puppy photo...

It's a mom photo.  Tachi has done an outstanding job once again of raising her puppies.  Her gentle, sweet personality is one of our favorite things about Tachi.  She's an excellent mom, and we're so thankful for her.  She is officially retired; if you want one of her amazing puppies, let me know today as two boys are available in our litter.  (Update: All our puppies have found their forever homes!)

Tachi's puppies are 7 weeks old already!  How much they've grown, changed, and learned in the last 7 weeks.  They are now eating dry food and doing the larger part of their potty business outside.  I take the litter out every few hours.  It is amazing how they quickly prefer to go outdoors.  While I tell families taking puppies home that their puppy is not house trained, they are well on their way!  They are absolutely ready for crate training as they keep their bedding area spotlessly clean.  However, with puppies, accidents are inevitable - enter Life's Abundance Biodeodizer spray!

If you'd ask us what are some must-have product for puppies, this biodeodizer spray would be at the top of our list.  It is safe to use around pets and children, and it eliminates the odor naturally with viable bacteria cultures.  I haven't found a surface yet that I can't use it on - including ones that come in to direct contact with the puppy, such as crates and bedding.  

As this will be my last post for this litter, I will answer some frequently asked questions for those families taking a precious bundle home with them soon.  Don't miss the photos and video at the end of the post!

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 flea and tick products do you recommend?  We do not treat our puppies with any flea and tick medicine.  (We do deworm and vaccinate them, but no flea and tick medicine.)  We choose not to use flea and tick products due to their small size.  In addition, they live in a low-risk environment because all our adult dogs and cats are treated with Bravecto.  You should discuss flea and tick prevention at your first vet visit.  Since Bravecto is not recommended for use until after 6 months old, I would recommend using Frontline on your puppy once he/she is 10 weeks old or five pounds.

What do I need to purchase before bringing my puppy home?  See my blog about puppy shopping here.

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 business goes outside or in their potty box on the newspaper.

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 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.  This time around, for the first time, we are keeping one of the girls.  While that is super special, it is still hard to say goodbye to the other puppies.  We try to encourage them as the puppies grow that we are helping get them ready for their new family.  Another thing that softens the blow of seeing their puppies leave is that new life is part of a homestead - every year we typically welcome puppies, goats, and kittens.  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.

And now, a short clip of the puppies in the spring sunshine- here - and lots of photos.  Thanks for stopping by!  Blessings!