The Pregnant Bitch
 Puppy Development - Socialization

PUPPY DEVELOPMENT

Observing the pregnant bitch

Breeding

We travel from Alberta, Canada to Indiana, U.S.A. to breed Koko to Yogi on Independence DAy. They like each other on the spot.
Sperm and Eggs meet the days after and the Journey of our puppies begins.

Back Home

Week two, life continues as usual, koko goes tracking and plays with her pack. Embryos reach the uterus by July 17th.

Rest and G(r)o(w)

Koko sleeps more than usual, but is still very active and wants to work. We are stimulating her Brain and olfactory sense with short practice tracks, which she enjoys a lot.
Koko is not showing any sign of nausea. But we see her belly is filling a bit and she she enjoys cuddles more than usual. Blastocytes are now attached to the Uterus wall.

Half Time

At 4 weeks Koko is feeling great and sports a little pregnancy belly. Her movements are a little slower and her appetite increases. The embryos grow a lot during this time and one could hear their heartbeat now, or see them on an Ultrasound. Nerves and spinal cord and organs develop now. Beginning of August,, beard and nails start to grow. Around August 7th, Organ development is completed and by this time, Fetuses look like little dogs. Coat colour develops.

At 7 weeks

In the meantime, we prepared the whelping box. koko recognized it right away. She enjoys making herself comfortable now. Walks become more labourious and therefore are kept short. We can feel little kicks in her belly.

Finish Line - Day 56

A bitch usually carries 63 days.
We visited our vet on August 28 to determine Litter size.
Our vet spots 6 puppies. 
Koko is still active, hunts mice and tracks. We measure her temperature twice a day., as it will drop Approx. 48 hours before birth. Cuddle times, healthy food and lots of resting time is provided.

Day 61 - Birth

After a short labour, 3 boys and 3 girls were born by c-section on September 2, 2018. All are healthy and lively. Koko is recovering well.
We like to express our gratitude to Dr. Janelle and Dr. Jordan from the Mayerthorpe Vet Clinic for safely bringing these future trackers into the world.

Stimulating Puppy's Senses

Early Development Opportunities - Our C-Litter 2019

Early Scent Stimulation

We introduce puppies to a variety of different scents, before they open their eyes and beyond. the olfactory sense is stimulated, starting when puppies are 3 days old. We just stimulate the sense of smell, we do not evaluate puppies at this time.

Bio-Sensor 

Early Neurological Stimulation also starts at Day 3. We perform a series of mild "stressors", like holding puppies on their back for 3 seconds, to stimulate puppies brains for future problem solving skills.

Tactile Stimuli

In week 3 we are starting to offer different textures as tactile stimuli.. Obstacles, like the whelping box entrance, will be mastered.

Foundation Matters

We cannot emphasize versatility often enough. Our dogs need to be environmentally and socially sound to be a pleasure to handle. in week 4, puppies get to know various surfaces, more textures, tunnels and various toys, to pull and attack, but also to cuddle with.

The Future In The Cradle

our Winter Hunt Litter misses out on outside time, so we bring outside to them. future wildlife conservation starts in the puppy pen. our dogs are imprinted on moose and deer. other scents, helpful to hunters. helpful to puppy's teckel brain development are rabbit, elk, duck, as well as spruce, dry leaves and moss.

Curiosity Rewarded

to follow a scent is natural for a dog. to track a scent, find it and get praised over the moon, is even better! We practice with various scent stations and observe puppy's natural talent. every puppy is different. one hunter needs a rabbit dog, another handler wants to track deer. observation is critical to make puppy and owner a happy match.

Scent Board

Proprioception

Body Awareness is a key essential for a successful working dog. Our 6 weeks old puppies can already work the balance board.

Introduction To The Workplace

with 6 weeks, the world expands significantly. we introduce puppies to their future workplace. progeny from exceptional hunting lines, they instinctively follow a drag line to the reward. Wildlife Conservation in the making.

Facing The Elements

with a relatively mild fall in alberta 2019, puppies can learn how snow feels around freezing point. Only for a very short time, but very interesting for the puppies.

Learning With Rewards

Smart puppies love to learn for small incentives. Our puppies start learning Sit and Down together and individually. They learn to wear their collar and how to walk on leash. By week 8, we are rewarded wtih intelligent puppies ready to explore the world.

Out Into The World

before they leave for their new homes, puppies have the chance to meet many people of all ages and socialize with the comfort of mom and siblings close by. This litter met 52 gentle people of all shapes and sizes, including children and seniors, uniformed people and people from all walks of life. 
At the End of week 9 it's time to re-home and learn with their future families.
We wish them a very happy, long, healthy life!

SOCIALIZATION PHASES

We love every minute with our puppies - A-LItter 2017

Birth

Birth Date: 27th of February, 2017
Puppies were born after 61 days in utero with the ability to lift their head and dig their noses into mom's hair to nurse. Ears and eyes are still closed.
Puppies can move in circles and stay close to mom.

Week 2-3

Transition.

Ears and eyes open around day 13. After about 17 days, puppy's hearing and olfactory capacity is fully developed and opens up a new world of sounds and scents.

Around day 21, puppy will follow mom out of the den, if possible. Dad will play rough with puppy and puppy will learn to present her belly. Puppy will learn about fear and may start growling. 

Week 4-7

Awareness.
Puppy sleeps less and is more active.
Mom nurses less, and puppy tries dog food. The tail is used as form of expression. Puppy will move further away from the den and recognizes other dogs as "the same species."

Week 8-12

Socialization.
Puppies playfully fight for food and hunt each other.
Puppies develop snapping, growling and raising hair in confrontation. Puppy learns about loosing and winning play fights. Mom starts weaning and now uses physical discipline. Dad doesn't share his food with puppies anymore. Puppies accept a pack leader.
Time to move into their new homes.


Week 13-16

Seniority.
Puppy challenges leadership.
Puppies will use screaming in play fights as sign of submission. Smart puppies try to find different ways to get what they want. Play with other puppies gets rougher and more inventive. Puppy will accept strong pack leader.

Months 5-6

Pack Order.
Puppy will accept a spot in the pack order and will fully accept a leader. Some dogs only accept one person as leader, others accept several human leaders.
The second set of teeth will appear, which enables the dog to hunt bigger prey or eat bigger portions in less amount of daily meals. 

Months 7-14

Puberty.
Fear of new situations or different objects might arise.
Wild dogs stray further away from their pack.
Growth spurts occur rapidly.
Puppy might be more apprehensive, shy or easily tired at times. Changes in coat, from puppy to adult, are visible. Dogs mature sexually. A females first heat starts between 6 and 12 months of age.
Canine Developmental Stages according to behaviourists Eberhard Trumler and Erik Zimen, Germany (1960-70’s.)
Similar developmental stages were studied in North America at the same time (Scott and Fuller, 1965; Fox 1971.)
Time periods might slightly differ in various studies; individual stages remain the same.

CONSISTENCY – 

PATIENCE – 

LEADERSHIP –

HAVE FUN WITH YOUR PUPPY!