We’re transitioning the puppies in a few new ways this week.

Biff put out an empty crate for them to explore, to get them familiar with an enclosed space, even though the door remains open as they go in and out.  Crates are supposed to be safe and happy places for puppies to sleep and chew on toys, not confining spaces where they are put for correction.  We have some helpful tips on “crate training” puppies that we’ll provide to the puppy families.  It’s part of successful and sane potty training.

The other transition we’re making is adding less liquid to their dog food so that, by the time they leave here in a couple of weeks, they’ll be eating slightly moistened food and drinking water from a dish.  They’re already doing great drinking water from a dish, although they sometimes play with it, too.  Their food is now morsels softened with more water than puppy formula.  Reine nurses just a few times each day.

They already look and behave like puppies who will do well with their new families.  They seek us out for attention and all of them love cuddling as well as romping around in the yard, following their noses and checking out every leaf and twig.