Vaccinated, single, and ready to mingle

The puppies got their first vaccines today, and got microchipped as well. They are six weeks old today and with the first vaccines on board they are ready for visitors. They need to meet new people and have as many new experiences as possible in the next few weeks. Tomorrow or Saturday will be their first outdoor adventure. If anyone would like to come by, just let me know. 

Later in the afternoon I had most of the dogs out in the pasture for some run time. I'm pretty sure it was the highlight of the day for all of them.

In the crate in my van upon arrival.

Wakanda

The mighty Thor

Elektra

Rogue

Storm

Back at home.

Candace

Bailey

Bear, Bailey behind

Bear

Marvel

Bear

Norman

Bailey and Bear

Marvel and Bailey

Elvis and Bear

Norman

Marvel's training hike

The first time I walked with Marvel I had sore arms, back, and shoulders afterwards, even though she really wasn't too bad just walking on a slip leash. I knew I needed to get her trained on a Gentle Leader, for my sake and also to make her more adoptable. Yesterday I got Erika to fit one on her but I only walked her enough to know that she was going to fight it.

I was dreading taking her out to walk today just because I wasn't looking forward to dealing with a dog fighting the equipment the whole way, pawing at it constantly, rubbing their head on the ground in an attempt to remove it, or doing the whole alligator death roll. She seemed capable to doing any or all of those things. 

Once again I was wrong and I couldn't be more happy to be so wrong. I put the Gentle Leader on her when she got into the crate so she was at least used to wearing it by the time we got up to the park. She did resist being led around by the nose a bit at first, but she soon decided that it was a small price to pay for a walk in the woods. She walked beautifully by my side for the entire four miles of our walk. I had resigned myself to just doing a short walk thinking that both of us would hate it, but she settled down and we both enjoyed it so we kept going. It really helped me control her when we encountered bikers and other hikers too. 

She walked in this position, right next to me, the entire way.

Marvel and pups

Marvel, Bear, and Norman are all eating substantial helpings of my foster food mix twice a day -- Norman because he's huge, Bear because he's still growing, and Marvel because she's a mother of five puppies. Consequently, my food barrel ran empty yesterday evening. I fed them our Costco food last night and this morning, but this afternoon I went over to Green Dogs to pick up a new supply of foster food. I took Marvel along as another new social experience for her. There were a lot of other dogs around and she barked at them all but was easily distracted from them. She met strangers and children and was good with everyone, especially those who were passing out treats. And I got her fitted for a Gentle Leader. I walked just a short distance with her wearing it and it was clear that she will fight it, but that's a bridge we'll cross another day.

Marvel spent some time with her puppies today but also came indoors to the office for a while and out to the pasture with all the other dogs for a good run. She wants to go check on the pups, and clean up any leftover food and poop, but otherwise she'd rather be inside. She was good in the crate last night and she goes into it as if it's not a new experience for her. Her indoor manners are pretty good but she is definitely a counter surfer. 

I fed the puppies three times today and they quickly devoured all the food each time. I don't really want to go to feeding four times a day so I think I'll just slowly increase the amount I give them on their three meal plan. I picked up a cardboard box at Green Dogs and gave them that as well as new, clean toys this evening. They are easily amused, but variety is nice.

Bear and Bailey

Bear, Marvel, and Norman

I picked out a heavy weight cardboard box. They are always a hit with puppies.

This small ironing board frame has lasted through several litters of puppies.

They can climb on it, it's an incline, and it's an unusual texture for their feet, all good experiences.

The food dish isn't just for eating.

I overestimated the size of the opening in this box, or underestimated the size of the pups.

They are really good about using the pads now, but I still change the bedding once or twice a day.

Shoestrings are always a favorite with puppies.

Cardboard boxes are great for chewing.

I think we'll have a couple week yet before they can get over this wall.