The BB's are going to be 5 weeks old tomorrow (March 2nd).
They have moved from the whelping box to their Puppy Party Palace (they actually have two) which is a linoleum lined gated area with potty, bed and play areas. They are learning to use the potty box area but with eight there are bound to be mistakes. Most of my free time is being spent as the sanitation worker trying to keep the area as clean as possible in the hopes they will eventually potty in a designated area (cross your fingers for me!).
They are sleeping on a Kuranda raised bed covered in blankets and there are soft blankets on the floor (and pee pads) for traction and wetness control (urine). They also have a hard plastic crate to nap in if they choose (eventually there will be eight crates).
They love the Puppy Toy Mobile (with hanging objects) and are having fun with each new toy/experience per day.
For those familiar with Puppy Culture the puppies have done the "barrier challenge" to learn to problem solve for themselves which reduces frustration in adult dogs. Future puppy owners -- please be sure yo are watching the Puppy Culture DVDs (thanks!).
PRIMARY SOCIALIZATION PERIOD: DAY 20-WEEK 6
The first socialization period begins at two-and-a-half weeks of age and lasts until six weeks of age. This is when the puppies learn how to be dogs, so to speak. They become familiar with all the species-specific behaviors that allows them to live and communicate with other dogs, such as different body postures and vocalizations. They also learn how to bite and what it feels like to be bitten. This is an important lesson for puppies to learn when they are young, so they do not hurt other dogs and people as adults. The mother also teaches the pups very important lessons on discipline and dog-manners. Puppies will also begin to move to specific locations to potty, preferring not to mess up the den or whelping area.
