8 Weeks Old

5/28/2025 - Well this is the week for a few of the puppies to go to their new homes! We've been working really hard on leash and collar introduction and riding in the car to prepare them for their journey's home. Potty & crate they seem to have down really well, I'm really hoping that translates to their new homes--sometimes they go backwards for a bit as they adjust to their new normal. For socialization they're doing sooo well! Each puppy is inquisitive and fearless when it comes to new things. Each has their own way of handling things: Stetson leads the pack with enthusiasm and zero hesitation, Wade & Riata fall somewhere in the middle (not as brash as Stetson but don't sit and ponder like Dally), and Dally being a bit more soft and reserved thinks things through and then always chooses to investigate.

For the puppies that are going to be with me for another week or so we will keep doing a lot of the same things & focus on even more socialization. Unless I notice they're entering a fear period it will be business as usual.

 7 Weeks Old

5/22/2025 - The babies have had such a big week and have grown SO much. Since the last time I posted pictures we had the weekend where a couple of future families came by and visited with their new puppies. Then we started Monday off with the vet visit which went so well. The vet was very impressed with the quality of this litter which I always appreciate--mamma Sadie came as well and was a perfect angel for their checkups and even got a post-partum check up herself.

As always each puppy progresses at their own rate with our puppy culture program but they're all very much getting the hang of manding and I would say 95% crate trained for short time intervals. This week we will focus on leash walking and riding in the car. The leash is just an introduction and some basics. We will also do a lot more social activities with my older Dachshunds who they haven't met yet. This week I will also be getting all of their go-home bags ready and paperwork folders. If you have any questions about pickup please let me know, I do have dates on my calendar for everyone's pickup!

Almost 6 Weeks Old

5/13/2025: I'm a few days early this week but the puppies got baths today which made it convenient to get pictures as well. They did beautifully for their first official baths--Dally especially enjoyed it and started falling asleep while I held her on her back and let the warm water run on her belly.

We've done a lot since May 8th and will continue a lot of the same tasks week 6.  Also this week we have initial vaccinations, microchipping, a trip to the vet on the 19th, and we will allow visitors if you'd like to come meet your puppy before pick-up day.

5 Weeks Old

5/8/2025: This past week has gone very well! We've expanded their space even more and they're using their potty tray quite successfully. Week 5 we're entering the time where some of the training-based fun begins.

Plans for this week:

- more, gradual weaning

-"power up" the clicker, aka making the positive reinforcement loop between click and treat

- get outside & water play

- introduce crates in a positive way

- more new objects, introductions, socializations, & handling

- encourage manding (puppies ideally sitting with eye contact to communicate)

I'll try to post a lot of these exercises on our Facebook page so please join if you'd like to follow along. Mini Long-Haired Dachshunds of Golden Moose Homestead

4 Weeks Old

5/1/2025: Big developmental week for these babies--personalities are just starting to show and they're much more active and have fully gained their sense of hearing. This past week we added the potty tray to the whelping box, started feeding wet food, and have continued handling for nails and pets/cuddling. I've already seen multiple puppies seek out the litter box to potty so that's always super rewarding to witness.

Now, we've truly entered  the socialization period of puppy culture--this week we will do some sound-startle & recovery, obstacle challenges, exposure to new items in the whelping box daily, increased time without mom in the box, and continue feeding wet feed and trimming nails.

Sound-startle & recovery: With 3 kids 7 & under our house is rather loud on a daily basis but this is actually quite helpful for this exercise. The goal is to expose the puppies to random, strange sounds in order to startle them just slightly so they can respond by self-soothing. We don't scare the puppies but just startle them enough that they can recover calmly. Everyday examples- starting the vacuum, the sound of the TV, washing machine, kids playing... We also implement classical music during nap. If ever a puppies displays fear to a sound we handle that individually and don't continue startling them so we can work through it.

Obstacle Challenges: We place a small, achievable obstacle between the puppies and their meal (a small pool noodle, dog pen fence panel, or sometimes I just use my leg sitting on the floor). This helps them build confidence and learn simple problem-solving. They still need a bit more time to get going on their feet but we can do something tiny to start and build in difficulty.

Exposure & Socialization: We introduce a new item to their whelping box daily. I've gotten pretty creative trying to find new items but I typically start pretty basic and then work up to objects that have music/noises and/or have lights. The goal is for them to have a healthy sense of curiosity to the new item, explore it, and either engage with sniffing/play or notice it and move on. This helps them in adulthood when it comes to new items or the unknown.

3 Weeks Old

4/25/2025 - All eyes are now open! I'm keeping a close watch to see when they startle at their first noise, yesterday I had a 'maybe' moment but then they slept quietly through other loud noises so I think we have another day or so. In the meantime we updated their space to add a potty spot, are doing more frequent nail trims, and just enjoying the calm before things get busier.

2.5 Weeks Old

4/20/2025: Just exiting the transition stage of puppy culture--they are starting to be physically more active and eyes are opening (all on their own individual schedules which is very normal). After puppies' eyes are fully open and they startle at their first sound we will move into the next stage.

1 Week Old

4/11/2025 - These babies have grown exponentially since their delivery. We do have a 5th littermate but he is not available at this time and as such won't be posted just yet. All puppies in this litter are varying shades of cream, their coats will continue to lighten and  the piebald puppies' white areas will begin to develop tiny spots and some may fill in with what is called roaning. I plan to make a blog post about color differences but you can always message me for examples. Daisy and Dusty from Peanut's litter are excellent examples of the spots and roan you can get except that they are black rather than cream.

The two non-piebald shaded puppies are just developing their pigment and it's looking like they might both be chocolate based shaded creams, I will know by week 2! For an example please look at Darcy from Peanut's litter who is a chocolate based shaded cream. Her coat will continue to lighten to cream over time but her nose and other pigment will remain chocolate colored (liver).

As always, please reach out with any questions.