Puppy Transformations – Can you believe this – they’re walking! (Weeks 2 – 3):
Written by Pam on October 18, 2014
What a journey already at 2.5 weeks! Along with some wobble-walking, the pups can see and hear us – their world is changing daily. They not only can smell the scent of their mom entering their whelping box but they can see her. They react by letting out a cute cry so that she attends to their needs instantly – almost to the extent of a sudden infallible cry sounding – an innate alarm. Then the pups start this cooing of anticipation knowing that Koko is closely approaching. Koko, though, feels quite differently, she begrudgingly enters the whelping box to each puppy wanting her more than the next – a bit overwhelming when just…a few days ago, all was calm on the home front…Koko will start to wean her pups soon, as the pups have started to paw at her when nursing. In the past couple of weeks, this has been fine, but now the pups’ claws have grown considerably and have started to irritate Koko’s belly, things will definitely start to change. Even though I have trimmed all the pups’ nails, dogs are creatures of habit – if something bothers them, they tend to just stop a behavior that is no longer fun – Koko has already learned from her past litters, that if something is not comfortable for her, she will show us by stopping the behavior – in this case she will just stop her motherly duties and go back to enjoying her life with all the other adult dogs. She is showing us her weaning process. This is when she will spend less time with her puppies. This is all normal behavior, but the puppies still need nutrition, so the pups have already had a taste of Esbilac, a milk replacer. At first they react to the warm milk-replacer as ’what does she want us to do with this” then they proceed to walk around in it. Gradually you will find the most curious pup takes that leap of faith, puts his nose right in the milk and starts to lap up some and realizes this is all good. The other pups watch and are intrigued by his enjoyment and immediately join in. The Esbilac is given in addition to Koko’s milk for the next week. Then more changes happen! The pups deciduous teeth start to erupt – at about 3 weeks, these tiny and sharp teeth will start to appear – and this will definitely put an end to nursing. So this is when we increase the Esbilac feedings and start the delicious gruel that only Mama Blair can whip up for these pups. All the pups in past litters never had complained about their gruel – never had a dogged dog yet when it comes to his or her chow and I anticipate that this litter will eagerly enjoy it with tails wagg’n and those robust symphonic coos!
Koko’s Genetic Testing Results
I am a firm believer of performing OFA health clearances and also many DNA/genetic tests on my Labradors especially if they are to be bred. Koko has passed her OFAs and a number of genetic tests in the past and most recently we had her coat color and the CNM, Centronuclear Myopathy DNA tests done. Please see those results under her picture in the Adult Labrador section of the website. We are very proud of Koko and very happy with her…genetic makeup!
