Family Labradoodles and Goldendoodles – Week By Week

Week Two

Puppies have gained between 6-8 oz. They are moving around more, but are still not able to crawl. They scoot and wiggle about to position themselves for nursing, or pile together if mom is not present. It is time to have nails trimmed for the first time. We are handling them more often- touching feet and gently working and stretching their muscles, and getting them used to the loving human touch.

Week Three

Eyes are beginning to open. All puppies are born with blue eyes. It takes another week before they are able to focus and see clearly. Useable vision is at 18-21 days. Ears are beginning to open as well; noises startle pups and they are still unable to locate the source of the sound. However, exposure to sudden, loud noises at this time is essential and encouraged, as fear has not yet developed.

We resist simply reaching in and helping them overcome obstacles, unless of course, they’re lost in a corner and getting cold. Otherwise, they are problem solving– stimulating their learning ability.

They are able to eliminate on their own now, and will be begin to move away from their nest to potty. They are also learning to walk instead of crawl.

Week Four

Now that the puppies have the use of all their senses, huge strides in development will begin to take place. It is at this crucial point that a breeder, knowledgeable in all aspects of behavioral development, begins increased individual attention.

Imprinting is so important; a poorly imprinted puppy will have issues throughout their adult life. Social imprinting, both with other dogs and with humans, is paramount to becoming well adjusted. For instance, puppies raised in isolation from other dogs at this time get attacked and rejected when introduced at 16 weeks — just one example of imprinting “mistakes.” Socialization begins in earnest and exposure to all manner of sounds and sights are a part of their daily lives. Handling, cuddling, and picking puppies up is just about the best thing one could wish for- and our friends and neighbors think so too! Early morning coffee with good friends, each with a puppy in their arms, is as good as a day can get.

Play-fighting is now the fun thing to do, although mom is watching carefully if they get out of hand. She is also painfully aware that baby teeth are on their way in. Learning to eat solid food is not far behind.

This is the time that they graduate from the familiarity of their whelping pen to the puppy room. While we introduce them to their new living space, they all huddle together, usually all in one little bed, looking like a tiny lifeboat filled with wide-eyed survivors in a sea of tile. Soon, curiosity takes over and one or two brave souls will venture out. Within minutes, they are scampering and running and tumbling and skidding into walls and having the times of their lives. Yippeeee!

Week Five

Puppy gruel- one part blenderized dry puppy starter, 2 parts goat milk, and one part warm chicken broth- Yummy! That’s what the puppies will be eating this week. Mom is still supplying the lion’s share of meals, but is more anxious to make her exit. Puppies now have a full set of sharp little teeth. They are learning to lap water but seem to think they need to step in it first. Ditto for the food.

This is the Curiosity Period (5-7 weeks). As the puppies are weaned from their mom, they are less apt to depend on her and begin to climb, crawl, taste, and snoop into everything and anything they can. They have very little sense of fear. Now is when a puppy has the lowest fear and the highest acceptance of all things new or scary. It is also the time to approach the puppy with all different ages and types of humans. Wonderful and varied stimuli are important too, to help them build confidence in new situations. If frightened by something now, the pup will bounce back quickly and will still have learned solid coping skills.

As we approach week 6, the puppy is leaping ahead with their motor skills and intellect. It becomes increasingly difficult to present more and more intense challenges and complex stimuli; a basket or pasteboard box has long since lost its thrill. More and more research backs up the conclusion that puppies raised in environments lacking challenges, are more likely to develop into fearful, less successful adults.

They have all worked hard navigating steps, up and down. Using the pet door took one whole minute to learn (the reward was huge). Outside is where the mysterious and exciting world of the puppy play yard lives. Getting there means conquering steps and the pet door- done and done!

Socialization Period (5-16 weeks), socializing does two things: It reduces the number of things in the world that a puppy (and eventually an adult) may be frightened of, and it provides the experience of being afraid and then recovering. This bounce-back is one of the most valuable lessons a breeder can “teach” a puppy. The more things that a puppy must experience with trepidation, the longer the list becomes of things that are no longer fearful. As his confidence snowballs, the faster a puppy recovers and reacts positively to situations– consequently the better adjusted the adult dog will become.

Week Seven

Observations of temperaments of each puppy are ongoing. To further assess behavior, we use a formal temperament testing method. We are qualified Litter Evaluation Experts certified by and with Avidog. We have found out that in our Labradoodle and Goldendoodle litters, there are very few differences among individuals’ overall predilection.  Many generations have gone into refining dispositions with the goal that each puppy is sound and gentle in spirit. We take great pride offering what we think is the perfect family companion.

We are diligently working on housebreaking in earnest, although the ‘Anti-Ickky Poo’ cleaner and paper towel supply is still getting a workout. Our AKC Junior Handlers come more often to play with the puppies- spending several hours at a time.

Watching the puppies play and interact, we gain a better understanding about individual temperament, how they engage each other and their environment. Authorities agree that by 7-8 weeks, puppies have fully developed brains, and are capable of learning anything. The one minor caveat is that their attention span is equivalent to that of a 2 year old. However what they learn at this stage is imprinted and permanent. This ‘no-fear’ period closes at 16 weeks. At the end of week 7, all appropriate vaccinations are given,  micro chipping, veterinary health checks with Dr. Wolf and Dr. Dragon, and a final review of the health and well-being of the puppy.

Puppies are beginning to sleep through the night- if you consider morning to be at 5 AM. During the night, we keep the pet door locked for the pup’s safety. No alarm is needed because noisy little voices make it clear that it’s time to unlock the door.

They are awake and ready to potty- hurry and get the door open! They all run out with success and no accidents. Life is good.

Week Eight

Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are old enough and mature enough at 8 weeks to go to their new and permanent homes. At this stage, we feel they are more receptive to individual attention and training objectives such as crate training, housebreaking, and more extensive socialization. We ask that you continue feeding your puppy their current diet (Life’s Abundance puppy food). This is a freshly made premium food free of preservatives and specially formulated with the necessary and perfect combination of ingredients.

We are adamant believers in the school of thought that the first 16 weeks of a puppy’s life greatly shapes the rest of the dog’s existence. That imprint window closes at 16 weeks! Remember, you are acquiring a dog, which is presently disguised as the cutest little thing you’ve ever seen– a brief stage when you consider that your dog will most likely live 14-16 years. However, for the puppy, the period of learning can well determine how they engage with and react to the world for the rest of their lives. How they cope with new situations and behave with strangers, children, new stimuli, people with hats, canes, sunglasses, new sounds, lights, new everything, directly results to how well they have been socialized during their first 4 months of life; thus eliminating  separation anxieties, fearful, shy phobic or aggressive behaviors.

We treat our obligation for the first two months very seriously, and invest considerable time and energy into their development in the 8 weeks that they are here with us. We do the first two months….but the next two months are equally as important. If the appropriate time and energy is again invested during the next 8 weeks the return will provide you and your family a lifetime of joy with a well-adjusted dog that you love, and that loves you.