In preparation for when the puppies are walking and running, exploring their new surroundings, we have erected our huge, outdoor 6 x 3 metre playpen. It will provide a super exercise ground for the growing Ridgebacks, with stimulating toys, including a tunnel, playpen with balls, balancing table and, lots of ropes and toys to pull between each other! It’s nice and shaded and, they will learn to toilet train in a designated area as dogs do not like soiling their living space.
This makes perfect sense as she needs to conserve her energy and have some alone time, whilst still watching carefully over her precious babies. She is not remotely aggressive towards strangers but, watches them closely, from the security of the whelping box, beside her puppies. We had to trim 234 tiny nails the other day as they were getting sharp and scratching Poppy. She just wandered over to see what we were up to and then left us to it. She knows that, everything we do is for her and her puppies benefit. We are a good team!
They are all doing well, feeding regularly and, gaining weight. Mum continues to be a hero although, her habits changed after the puppies reached a week old. She now leaves the whelping box when the puppies have eaten and, fallen asleep. She likes to go out into the sunshine and, has resumed her interest in playing with her mate Angus, who is only too willing to have some fun. Her appetite is enormous now, eating 4 good meals a day and still drinking lots of cold milk. She is disinclined to feed if she is hungry, thirsty, too hot or, the puppies are sleeping and not making any noise.
We are heading towards the 2 week old mark, when the puppies open their eyes and ear canals as well as gaining strength in their back legs so, they will be more mobile… It will be fascinating to look them in the eye and get to know them even better and, should be much easier for them to get around and enjoy their whole new world!
