The development of the puppy in its first weeks of life.
From preparing for whelping to early training, every step is carefully considered with patience and kindness.
Nothing is left to chance.
Constant presence with the mother, close monitoring during the first few days, gradual socialization, daily discoveries, care, gentle handling, and house training… everything contributes to building balanced, confident, and well-adjusted puppies.
My role isn’t limited to simply delivering puppies.
I support them during their first weeks of life, the weeks that shape their future temperament and adaptability.
I am committed to giving them a peaceful start, at the heart of family life, in a safe, stimulating, and loving environment.
Because a puppy who is well cared for at the beginning of its life becomes a stable, confident dog, deeply attached to its future family.
Education requires the utmost care because it affects the whole of life.
Quote from Seneca; Thoughts and Morals – 1st century AD
Puppy Awakening Video
Video The first outing!
1 – My bitch’s well-being
About two weeks before she gives birth, I put my dog in the whelping room (I sleep in the same room), with her bed, her favorite toy, and clean, comfortable absorbent pads.
The expectant mother needs calm, security, and rest. It’s essential that she feels my presence and knows she’s not alone during this important time.
This proximity also allows me to monitor her closely and react quickly to the first signs that labor is about to begin.
Everything is arranged so that she experiences this moment peacefully, surrounded by attention and care.
2 -Whelping
During whelping, I stay with my dog to reassure her. I speak to her softly, stroke her, and make sure to maintain a calm atmosphere to soothe her.
I carefully monitor each birth and intervene if necessary, especially if a puppy has difficulty being born.
If needed, I gently open the amniotic sacs, rub the puppies to stimulate their breathing, and assist them with their first breaths if they are having trouble breathing spontaneously.
I then place them near their mother, where they are warm, so they can enjoy her presence and warmth.
I also make sure each puppy quickly finds a teat. If they have trouble finding their way, I gently guide them. It is crucial that they ingest colostrum in the first few hours of life: this first milk, rich in antibodies, provides them with essential immune protection. It is only produced during the first two days.
Every action is performed with gentleness, vigilance and respect, so that the birth takes place in the best possible conditions.
During the first few days of their lives, I keep a very close eye on my dog and her puppies.
I weigh the puppies daily to check that they are gaining weight properly. This allows me to ensure that the mother is producing enough milk and that each puppy is nursing correctly.
If there are many puppies or if milk production is insufficient, I supplement their diet with bottle-feeding to relieve the mother and ensure that each puppy grows harmoniously.
I also make sure to bring any stray puppies back to their mother and ensure that all of them find a place to nurse, without any being left out.
Every detail counts during these crucial first days to ensure a peaceful and balanced start to life.
3 – The playpen
Around fifteen days old, the puppies open their eyes.
They begin to perceive smells, sounds, and their surroundings. Their mobility gradually improves: they become more energetic and curious.
I then place them in the playpen, located in my living room, always alongside their mother. She can go in and out freely as she needs, respecting her rhythm while maintaining the bond with her pups.
The playpen allows me to closely supervise them while initiating the first stages of socialization. They gradually discover the different members of the family: humans, dogs, cats, birds, and even the tortoise.
I take the time to play with them, handle them gently, pet them, and talk to them. These daily interactions foster their confidence, emotional balance, and openness to the world.
4 – The care, the cuddles
The mother dog passes on her first lessons and the essential codes of canine life to her puppies.
From birth, I remain present to ensure everything goes smoothly and that the puppies gradually become familiar with me. My goal is for them to associate human presence with something reassuring and positive from a very early age, and to develop a relationship of trust similar to the one they have with their mother.
After a few days, I begin gentle handling and petting. These moments are short, calm, and always adapted to the puppies’ pace.
From four weeks old, I introduce a small, soft baby brush. The aim isn’t to clean them—their mother takes care of that perfectly—but to gradually accustom them to brushing. I transform this grooming into a pleasant moment, similar to a massage, so they associate it with a positive experience.
Their nails are checked and trimmed regularly if necessary, to gently accustom them to this.
The eyes and ears are gently checked and cleaned if necessary with a damp cloth.
Aunt Iris, our Maine Coon, keeps a watchful eye on the kittens when Mummy Prune is out!
5 – The discoveries
The first explorations outside the playpen can begin.
From four weeks old, the puppies gain confidence: they stand well, walk with more stability, and become increasingly curious. The playpen gate remains open during the day so they can move around freely under supervision.
They then begin to interact more with the other animals in the house, gradually discovering different communication cues.
From five weeks old, and when the weather permits, regular outings begin. They explore the garden, a true learning ground.
They play, hide, explore, smell new scents, and hear a variety of sounds… Each experience stimulates their curiosity and contributes to their sensory and emotional development.
At the same time, their diet gradually changes. They discover kibble adapted to their age and naturally explore their environment, such as the grass in the garden.
These daily discoveries are essential: they build confident, outgoing, and well-adjusted puppies.
6 – The first learnings
The first lessons naturally begin with their mother, who imparts the essential foundations of canine communication and behavior.
From birth, puppies also learn to trust humans. I handle them daily, briefly and gently, especially for weighings and health checks, so that human contact is always associated with a reassuring experience.
Gradually, they are introduced to brushing and basic grooming. These interactions are carried out calmly, so they become positive habits.
Socialization continues with family members and other pets in the household, fostering their adaptability and well-being.
Around six weeks of age, I begin housebreaking. I take the puppies outside regularly, day and night, so they gradually associate the outdoors with their needs.
At around two months / two and a half months, nighttime outings are generally reduced to one or two times per night, and their living space remains clean.
A few videos
Puppies and the tunnel video
Puppies and the cat video
Video MinisPoms outside 1
Video MinisPoms outside 2
More information
The puppy is now big enough and can live his new life with you.
Births?
