You may notice that in the first couple of weeks, mama dogs don’t always allow other dogs in the puppy pen, even dogs they normally love. This is completely normal and instinctive behavior. During the first two to three weeks, mama’s focus is entirely on protecting her puppies. Even well-intentioned visitors get told “not today.” Patsy is a wonderful mama herself and loves puppies, so she tries to sneak in for some baby cuddles. But Reba, being the mama, sets a firm boundary

These little polar bears are officially in their chunky phase. With only five puppies in the litter, there is no competition for milk, which means they are able to nurse freely and often. That abundance in these early days is exactly what supports steady weight gain, strong immune development, and healthy neurological growth. Day eleven is still firmly within the neonatal period, where puppies spend the majority of their time sleeping and nursing. Their nervous systems are im

Day 10 is a quiet but very important point in early puppy development. While the puppies still look much like they did a few days ago, their bodies and nervous systems are preparing for some major changes that are just around the corner. At day 10, the puppies’ eyes and ears are still closed. However, we are right on the verge of them beginning to open. Over the next few days, we will start to see the very corners of the eyes opening first, often just a small slit at the inne