A lot of people over the years have asked me why pups need to stay at Corwyn until 8 weeks, even after they are weaned. I think now many people understand that 8 weeks is the "minimum" age for pups to go home, but they wonder why?
As you have seen in the videos, the pups are exploring their environment more and more. Their physical development is progressing, but so is their mental development. Every new sight, sound, smell and taste is foreign, and many things are scary or startling. Having one's parents, adult dogs, or one's siblings around when experiencing new things builds confidence. It's not just about having a puppy physically larger or about learning bite inhibition or leadership from other dogs and siblings.
With pups at this age, if something scary happens, they will bunch up and look for some security. If no person or adult dog is nearby, they will group together and weather the scary experience. Often one pup will spook at something new, and others will be more curious. Next thing you see is the spooked pup taking interest with the others, and the fright passes. This time with siblings is very important and can really advance confidence and mental development.
It is a busy time for the breeder, however. The pups are into EVERYTHING. Safety barriers that worked at age 4 and 5 weeks are no longer sufficient. Mom is no longer cleaning up so if pups do not have regular access to the outdoors due to weather or safety concerns, clean-up is arduous. Right now I am doing at least one load of laundry every day, and our pups are spending most of their day outdoors because the weather has been fair.
The pups need people socialization. Luckily we have had lots of nice folks coming to visit the pups and they've learned that everyone they meet is kind and affectionate and tolerant of the little "pirhanas." We have even been able to borrow a few children and for the most part they seem to like them. Money was not too sure about my 15 month old nephew, who is just learning to walk (read: stumble), but fortunately she runs VERY FAST!
The pups have now had 2 baths, and the second bath went much better than the first. A bit of scattered sniveling, but no shrieks of horror.
We've been working on coming when called, which is going pretty well - now nearly everyone comes inside and goes outside as a group. We have also started crate training and, after a few rough nights, everyone is now quiet in their crates from about 10PM until 5-6AM. They are also clean in the crates, altho often while putting the first pups out the ones waiting cannot quite make it out of the crates. But they are getting the idea. We have been bringing them into the living room to play and explore and some of them will go to the back door when they need to potty. Others, not quite there yet!
Meanwhile there is all the boring stuff like making travel arrangements for puppies going out of state, creating puppy contracts, making sure the AKC papers are all in order, putting together puppy packages that will include photos, pedigrees, a daily schedule, worming & vaccination records and other important material we like our puppy folks to have.
And, of course, we must keep up with the videos! Here is the latest!
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