Cute Goldendoodles.com: Three Week Update

The puppies are now three weeks old, and they are growing as expected. Their eyes are now fully open, and they are gaining strength in their legs as they walk more and more. Lady is being a wonderful mom - she always is - and she is taking great care of her pups.

Next week we will start the weaning process - right on target. We will start out with replacing one meal a day with blended up dog food. We put the puppies in a special area, away from Lady, and mix dry kibble with a lot of water, and blend it up. This lets the puppies "eat" from a bowl and yet not need to chew anything. They basically slurp it all up - and get it all over themselves!

Over the course of a couple days, we gradually increase the number of feedings that are "dog food" and decrease the number of nursings Lady provides. This allows for a gradual transition for the puppies - and for Lady. By this time, Lady has been feeding them 24/7 for over a month. She's ready - and so are they!

As soon as the puppies are comfortable, and we can ensure Lady is transitioning safely, we stop the nursing and begin 100% feeding for the puppies. Lady will go home to live with her Guardian Family - who misses her so very much! - and we will continue to raise the puppies and teach them all about becoming family dogs.

Over the course of the following weeks, until the puppies are ready for their permanent homes, we introduce them to many environments. We get them into the grass and sun to feel the outside. They learn about other people (who often come to visit) and not to be afraid of them, as well as other dogs (ours and friendly neighbors) and how to interact.

When the puppies are in their play area, they will hear lawnmowers, weed whippers, cars, planes, birds, and many other sounds, sights, and smells. They will also encounter numerous other people as they learn to socialize with people. We live in a very friendly, and walk-able, community, so people are always coming over to play with the puppies. It is tremendous fun, and a great learning tool for the puppies.

OK. Enough of my typing... On to the pictures!!! The pictures almost always involve me, sitting on the floor, holding a puppy in one hand, petting a nervous and cautious Lady with one hand, holding my phone in another hand and trying to take clear pictures of squirming puppies while trying to keep me out of the pictures. It sounds easier than it is!!

Let's start with Mr. Green: He will probably end up with a wavy/curly coat. It's hard to tell for sure at this age, but based upon what we are seeing, his coat will probably be curly (not a super tight curl) that will transition to wavy if his coat is kept a little longer. He's a cutie with a little white patch on his chest.

Next up, Miss Red: She has the darkest coat of the litter, a deep reddish brown. It looks like she will have beautiful waves in her coat as well. She is very relaxed when being held, and seems to really like mu daughter!

Trying to find a comfortable place to rest

Miss Purple: She probably has the second darkest coat, after Miss Red. She has a beautiful face and serious, yet playful look in her eyes. She's a cutie!

Mr. Blue: Yes, he's adorable, and he's also a very committed sleeper! Whenever he is picked up - to change towels or just to have someone hold him - he yelps out like he was just having the best sleep EVER and we just woke him up. If we hold him for a moment or two, he relaxes, but he is not currently fond of having his sleep interrupted! (My kids know I am the same way...)

Last, and definitely not least, we have Miss Orange: She is the first one people see when they look at the litter, and they always say, "Wow. Look at that light one!! Can I hold her?" Yes, she has the lightest coat, and probably the straightest, as well. It won't be "retriever" straight - it will have some wave to it - but it will, most likely, not be very curly. She definitely gets the attention when people see her. She is a gentle cutie!