Monday, July 4, 2011

Everybody out of the pool!

So, after finding Autumn out of the pool 2 or 3 times, and Winter and even Summer each out once, I decided it was time to take the puppies out of the pool and set up the puppy playpen. They have more room to move about and mom can still get in and out ok without the babies getting out too.

It was fun. First of course you know you have to put the babies somewhere while you move the pool, set up the playpen and get everything ready for them to go into it. 2 at a time I carried the pups to mom's crate and set them inside while BG looked on as if to say "hey this is smaller not bigger."

It was easy to get the pool out of the puppy room, just pick it up and turn it sideways and walk out the door. Setting up the playpen was not quite as easy but almost. First I had to take Jack, who had been living in it in the family room, out of it. I had to disassemble it and haul the panels outside to wash them off. I had newspapers for Jack to piddle on, and after several weeks of jumping up on the sides, it had black newsprint all over the inside on the bars.

After letting it dry, I brought my vinyl remnant into the puppy room and placed it in a good spot. Then I brought the panels of the playpen in and set them up in a 4 x 4 foot square. I think this will be big enough for the 4 pups and mom. Right now BG can get in and out but once the pups are weaned I can close the door and be able to keep the babies inside.
I will place newspaper on the floor and eventually a litter box for them to learn to potty in. I have found this helps get them started on their potty training so that once they go to their new homes it will be a little easier on the new owners to housebreak them.

Here we are in our playpen. This is where the pups will be now for the next 5 weeks or so until they are ready to leave. Eyes are all open, eye and nose trim is in, and so far with home testing, the pups all seem to be able to hear. This is a good thing!

In the coming weeks they will eat and grow and become little dogs. Miniature versions of what they will be as adults. By the time they leave the safety of the playpen, they will hopefully have begun to learn the skills they will need to tackle the great big world they will be living in. Whether they be show dogs, taking on the challenges of the agility, conformation or obedience ring, or loving companions, taking their place in the family car or on the couch, or in society, they will be ready. Having had the best possible start towards a happy, healthy life, that their mom and I can give them.

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