Saturday, October 12th, 2002:

The puppies are three days old and had their tails docked and dewclaws removed today. All went smoothly and the pups returned to sleeping contentedly with their Mom within moments of the procedure.

Puppies are born with eyes and ears closed. For the first two weeks they experience life through touch, taste and smell. They are able to sense heat, cold, and texture. They are totally dependent upon their mother for everything, even the stimulation of bowel and bladder function.

* Info on Tail Docking & Dewclaw Removal

Wednesday, October 23rd, 2002:

The puppies are two weeks old. Their eyes (and ears) are opening and they are beginning to stand on their legs and move around a little more (not really walking yet). The babies are lovely and plump, with VERY shiny coats. They look like the picture of health and Keeper is a great mommy! She's really gentle and good with her puppies, seeing to all their needs.

At this stage, Keeper will take a little break now and then, after she has fed her babies and they are sleeping. She'll go and lay on the couch, snuggling with Nanci or Corbin, or play with her toys for awhile. She's a very playful girl, yet quite gentle too. She doesn't jump up on people, and sits nicely to be petted.

Saturday, November 2nd, 2002:

The puppies are three and a half weeks old. They are becoming aware of their environment and can now explore using all their senses ... sight, sound, taste, smell and touch. The pups are standing and walking and are interacting more with one another, playing, vocalizing and practicing different body postures.

Sunday, November 10th, 2002:

The puppies are four and a half weeks old. They are in a time of rapid growth and development. In a typical litter the dominance order starts; group activities and even sexual play begins. They are spending less time sleeping and more time playing, with each other and with toys. They are also eating puppy food from a shared dish as well as continuing to nurse from their mother.

The pups are well into the Canine Socialization Period. Interacting with their mother and littermates, the puppies learn various canine behaviors. They are now aware that there are differences between canine and human societies. Each pup spends some time each day interacting with people in a positive manner, away from his/her littermates, and meeting the other adults dogs in the household. They still sleep with mommy at night and look to her for comfort.

Monday, November 18th, 2002:

The puppies are almost six weeks old. They are developing their own individual personalities, they're very curious and will investigate anything and everything. Over the past few days they have gradually been weaned. They are eating puppy food, drinking water, and starting today they will no longer been nursing from their mommy.

Keeper has gone home to be with her human family (and to finish drying up her milk supply), but she'll be back again to be with her puppies before they are 8 weeks old. Over the next week the puppies will be socialized with the other adult dogs in the house and with many new people.

Nanci follows the Rule of Sevens ...

Starting at 5 weeks, and by the time a puppy is 8 weeks old it should have:

BEEN ON 7 different surfaces: Carpet, Concrete, Wood, Vinyl, Grass, Dirt, Gravel, Wood Chips, Newspaper Etc.

PLAYED WITH 7 different types of objects: Big Balls, Small Balls, Soft Fabric Toys, Fuzzy Balls, Squeaky Toys, Metal Items, Wooden Items, Paper/Cardboard Items, Milk/Soda Jugs Etc.

BEEN IN 7 different locations: Front Yard, Back Yard, Basement, Kitchen, Car Garage, Laundry Room, Bathroom, Crate, Kennel Etc.

BEEN EXPOSED to 7 challenges: Climbed a box, Climbed off a box, Go thru a tunnel, Climbed over obstacles, Played hide & seek, Go in & out doorway with a step Etc.

EATEN FROM 7 different containers: Metal, Plastic, Cardboard, Paper, China, Pie Plate, Frying pan Etc.

EATEN IN 7 different locations: Crate, Yard, Kitchen, Basement, Laundry room, Bathroom, X-pen Etc.

MET AND PLAYED WITH 7 new people: including children & the elderly

Monday, November 18th, 2002:

The puppies are almost seven weeks old. They're developing more curiosity, exploring and enjoying new experiences. They are meeting many new people including lots of kids and enjoying positive experiences with them. The pups are refining their physical skills and coordination, and are making full use of all their senses. They are little poop-machines!

Seven week old pups are pretty brave because they have not yet entered their first fear imprint period, where they can they experience real fear (when puppies can be alarmed by normal objects and experiences). That usually occurs between the ages of 8 to 10 weeks and the pups need positive training during that time.

All the photos for today's date were taken during a "puppy 'n' people party". Three different families with children were invited over to visit at the same time, and the puppies loved all the attention they received.

Tail Docking & Dewclaw Removal Information

The official standard for the English Springer Spaniel (CKC and AKC) describes the Springer Spaniel as having a docked tail. Tail docking is a practice which has been carried out for centuries in order to avoid tail damage or for hygienic purposes in certain breeds. Long experience indicates that when carried out correctly, docking causes no pain or discomfort to puppies and there is no evidence that development is in anyway arrested by the docking procedure. The practice has not been based upon cosmetic reasons and it is not a tradition that has lost its place in modern society.

Springers have been used as hunting dogs for many centuries and are probably the second oldest hunting breed type. Most importantly, they continue to be used as field dogs in modern society. Tail docking avoids tail injury, which is a concern in the hunting dog breeds, such as spaniels and hunt-point retrieve breeds which, as working dogs, are expected to hunt for game in thick cover. Moreover, tail damage can occur out of the field as well, and once sustained, is painful and extremely difficult to heal.

Dogs have been man's companion for thousands of years and, for most of that time, they have been bred and managed in ways which balance their own welfare with man's convenience. Spaying of bitches, castration of dogs, and the chemical management of estrus are all ways in which animals are managed, both for the benefit of man and to improve the lot of the dog population as a whole. Docking is no different.

It is acknowledged by veterinarians to cause no welfare problem, and it is seen by breeders and dog owners to present real benefits for the dogs themselves. Accordingly, the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association recognizes that with appropriate care, tail docking and dewclaw removal as described in the official breed standard are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving the English Springer Spaniel breed character and/or enhancing good health.