The pups are six weeks old today. They were all weighed and they got a third dose of wormer. They also got their first outdoor experience in Daneland.
They need the space, the exercise, and the learning they will get by having new experiences outdoors. I had been anxiously awaiting this day because I am hopeful that feeding them outdoors, followed by outdoor play time, will result in less poop inside and less cleanup for me. Based on today's experience, I have reason to be hopeful.
The door opening was always my favorite experience with Della's pups, seeing them
all come tumbling out. This was the first time for these pups and they all ran to the
door, but most of them stopped and looked before running down the steps.
I fed them outside for the first time this morning, but the pups push so much food
out of the feeders that a lot of it ended up on the ground covered in dirt.
They were hesitant at first, and mostly stuck together, but they began to explore the space.
The tire was just the right height for them to climb up on and into.
Ruth and Sojo
Elliott, Susan B., and Rosa
It was fun to see them scamper and run where they had space to do so.
Malala was one of the boldest adventurers today, she was also the most vocal.
This was the door opening for the second feeding,
there was less hesitation this time.
Rufus was out and came over to check out the pups. Della assumed guard duty
and kept an eye on him and then ran him off. She did this with Lexie's pups too.
Elliott
Amelia and Elliott
Malala was the first to climb the ramp.
Malala
Elliott
Elliott and Malala
Harriett was the first one out this morning, but I'm not sure if it was intentional
or if she was pushed or just sort of stumbled out without thinking.
Aunt Della, standing guard
I'm sure she which of the merle girls this is, but she got her head stuck in this
ball and started screaming. I got it off of her and removed the ball from the space
until their heads are bigger. One of them, maybe this same pup, also got her head
stuck through an opening in the fence this morning. They can't be left outside without supervision.
Elliott and Rosa
Allison came in and fed them for a bit,
but she really doesn't seem to have much milk any more.
Allison was trying to get away from them by getting up on this elevated bed,
but the pups were still able to reach her. Lexie used to stand on top of one of the dog houses
that was too tall for the pups to reach. I may need to make something like that for Allison.
The puppy pile after the second outing.
They went directly to the bed when they got back inside.
The third and final outing today was after dark. That made it a wholly new experience.
I ran gone to Lowe's and bought this outdoor rug as a feeding surface.
It helped keep the food and food dishes cleaner and made it easier for them to find spilled food.
They stuck close to the shed and each other for a while, but I walked around
and they soon started to follow.
Nighttime puppy pile
Daneland under the lights.
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