Soon, they are navigating quite well, and we introduce blocks and stools for the pups to climb on, jump on, and hide under. By the time the pups are four and a half weeks old, we have moved them out of their wading pool into a larger area that has a sleeping area, a potty area, and a play area. Even at this young age, the pups can start to learn to be clean in their personal habits, and that there are acceptable places to eliminate, and other areas for eating, playing and sleeping. This is when they start on solid food, and they will get two meals a day, during the day, when they are separated from their mother. Mom still gets night duty, though, and the pups will nurse and sleep with mom for another week yet.
Pups are now much more active, and they get plenty of toys to play with.
Squeaky toys, flush toys, toys that rattle, that roll, some hang from the air above. They have many different kinds of surfaces to run and play on, stools, ladders, children's furniture, and boxes. It is time for them to be on their own. They will be fed only the best large breed puppy food, supplemented with Glycoflex, to build strong joints, and Missing Link, to provided fresh vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. This last week and a half with us is a busy time for them, and could be stressful, so we continue to spend lots and lots of time with the pups, letting them know how special they are, how handsome, smart, and talented.