The Journey

This is the big one for socialization, and we have been deliberate about it. The puppies have now met a genuine variety of people — toddlers, men in hats, and their great-grandma among them. Sounds obvious, but it matters: a puppy who has only met one kind of person can find every other kind startling. Nine puppies who think new people are wonderful is the goal.

Potty training has begun. At this age they instinctively want to leave the sleeping area to go, so we have given them somewhere obvious to do it. It gets a head start on the habit long before they go home.

Enrichment continues daily — new textures, new noises, new small challenges. They are also getting properly good at kibble.

Teeth arrived, and Coco has opinions about that. Right on schedule, we introduced puppy mush — a quality puppy kibble soaked soft and warm. The first meal is more of a face wash than a meal, and it is one of the great comedies of raising a litter.

Toys came out this week as well: things that squeak, things that roll, things that are just about chewable. They are still nursing, but the shift toward solid food is properly underway.

Eyes and ears are working, and the whole litter has switched from squeaking blobs to genuinely curious little dogs. This is when the world starts arriving on purpose rather than by accident.

We began layering in socialization sounds — the vacuum, the doorbell, a thunderstorm recording, the dishwasher — at a low volume while they nurse and nap, so the noises of a normal house register as ordinary rather than alarming. Textured surfaces went into the pen too: crinkly fabric, a rubber mat, a wobble board. Nine sets of paws figuring out that the floor can feel like more than one thing.

The first week is all about warmth, milk, and sleep. Coco took to motherhood immediately — she has barely left the whelping box, and every puppy latched on and started gaining.

We weigh all nine daily and log it, which is the quickest way to catch a puppy who needs a little extra help at the milk bar. Around day three we also began ENS (early neurological stimulation) and ESI (early scent introduction) — a few seconds of gentle handling and a new scent for each puppy, once a day. It is a small, well-studied routine that helps build resilience and a steadier nervous system later in life.

The wait is over — Coco’s puppies arrived in the early morning of June 25th, a few days early! Nine healthy babies, five boys and four girls, all snuggled up with their very proud mama.

Meet the whole litter →

The puppies can hear sounds now, and Coco is loving the extra snacks that come with eating for six-plus. She’s slowing down on walks and claiming the comfiest spot on every couch. Not long now!