Week 4: Potty Training, Teeth, and Temperamental Weather

Week four went down with a bang! The Howlers' living quarters got an upgrade, complete with a spacious new bathroom. Potty training is officially in full swing—following the general rule that a pup can hold it and move one foot for every week of age, we’re up to four feet this week. Free time outside the pen is still a bit of a challenge, but inside, we're making great progress.

With our new fancy bathroom

Daily individual exploration is encouraged, and this week, everyone got to meet the pack one-on-one. The excitement was mutual—plenty of curious sniffs and wagging tails all around.

Kentucky weather, however, did not cooperate. Between mass flooding, single-digit temps, and a surprise dose of snow, it’s been a rollercoaster. Social visits had to be rescheduled, but with 60-degree weather on the horizon, we’re all eager to get outside and meet new people.

The pups' environment continues to evolve with new footing, obstacles, sounds, and objects added daily. Nail trims are still happening every three days—much to the chagrin of some impatient, wiggly participants.

Every morning after I make coffee (and ignore the whining and barking demands from the Howler corner of the kitchen). When the pups have settled, I stand at the gate at the potty box and greet them a good morning. The Howlers come running to potty and get their cuddles. Then they get free play in the kitchen as I clean their pen. The rule is; you have to be sitting and quiet (bonus points for looking for my face) before you get picked up. Demand barking and whining does not work here and gets ignored. Pups are working problems out at this stage and we want them to know that sitting is the correct way to get attention, not jumping and excessive whining energy. What pups learn first, they learn best!

Now that teeth have arrived, a few big milestones have come with them. First, solid food is on the menu, and it’s a huge hit. Second, chewing has begun in earnest—including on siblings. This, of course, leads to a few inevitable scuffles as they start learning bite inhibition and self-control. Lastly, Ma has officially taken on the role of disciplinarian—biting the milk truck is no longer tolerated.

Our first solid foods

When it comes to exploring larger new areas, responses vary widely. Some pups charge in with tails high and wagging, while others take a more cautious, nose-to-the-ground approach. A few race around with reckless enthusiasm, while others carefully inspect each new item with meticulous thoughtfulness. The more hesitant Howlers are getting extra time to adjust and build confidence—this is the perfect stage for learning how to manage stress and embrace new experiences with bravery. They have a tendency to swap behaviors from day to day, so the super explorer one day many times shows some hesitancy the next. This is what we want and is healthy at this stage. We like to take advantage of it during this developmental period. At this point we watch and we don't judge.

Here’s to another week of growth, adventure, and—hopefully—some better weather!

Sam

Sam has officially earned the nickname Ragdoll Sammy—she just melts in your arms like a puppy puddle, flopping into whatever position you put her in. She gives the best hugs, happily resting her head on your shoulder or tucking her nose under your chin for a snuggle session.

She’s always the first in line for affection, sitting patiently up front and center, quietly making eye contact until she gets her well-earned dose of love before playtime begins. But don’t be fooled by her soft side—during free play, she’s right in the thick of the wrestling matches, fully engaged in the action.

When it comes to exploring new spaces, Sam is both brave and thoughtful. She may start out a bit unsure, but hesitation never slows her down. She carefully checks out her surroundings, and once she’s satisfied, up goes her tail and she prances back, ready for play.

Sarge

Sarge had a lot to say this week—about everything. Hungry? He let us know. Frustrated? We heard all about it. Stressed? He voiced his concerns. Demanding attention? Absolutely. Even during play, Sarge made sure his commentary was loud and clear. He’s so expressive that even drinking milk comes with a dramatic gulp. If there was a soundtrack for puppyhood, Sarge would be the lead vocalist.

When it comes to free play, Sarge is the master of finding the most obscure hiding spots. He’s not one to charge into the middle of the chaos; instead, his explorations tend to be on the quieter side. I usually find him wedged between the playpen and the wall, tucked behind a box, under the coffee bar, or peeking out from behind the curtain—staring outside at the adult pack as if contemplating life’s big questions.

During individual explorations in new spaces, Sarge was a bit of a wildcard. If he was tired and overstimulated, he wasn’t shy about voicing his displeasure and preferred to sit things out. But after a solid nap? It was game on—nose down, tail up, ready to take on the world.

Punch

Punch is the definition of right in the mix. Whether it’s playing, exploring, or settling in for cuddles, he’s always comfortably in the middle of the action. But when it comes to new items in the pen, he’s first in line to investigate.

A crackly feed bag? No hesitation—Punch is stomping all over it with unbridled enthusiasm. A tub filled with water bottles? Pure joy, like a kid diving into a McDonald’s ball pit. A birdcage? Naturally, the next step is to see if it can be flipped… and if he can somehow get stuck inside (spoiler: he probably can).

During individual exploration, Punch takes a more methodical approach. Nose down, he’s all about the details—sniffing, digging, and even biting at whatever piques his interest. If a smell intrigues him, he’s going all in to figure it out, no half-measures.

Mahala

This girl took a studious approach to life this week. While her siblings charge full speed ahead into chaos, she’s perfectly content to sit back and watch it all unfold. Once the dust settles, she calmly walks up, sits down, and waits for her turn—no need to get caught in the frenzy.

Mealtime? She takes the same measured approach, waiting for a quieter opening rather than diving into the scrambling mob. That is, of course, unless the food truck rolls in—then it’s every pup for themselves, and she’s not afraid to throw some elbows.

During free play, she mostly minds her own business but will join in if invited politely. However, she draws a hard line at rough play—any pup who dares chomp her ears will definitely hear about it. Despite her preference for order over chaos, she’s always happy to be part of a cozy puppy pile, usually buried at the bottom.

Her methodical nature carries over into individual exploration. She moves with confidence, thoroughly investigating everything at her own steady pace. No rushing, no second-guessing—just careful observation and complete focus.

Bush

Bush was a standout this week—a smart, playful, and people-loving pup who’s proving to be both clever and confident. He’s shaping up to be on the lower end of the pack hierarchy, often getting the short end of the stick in playtime scuffles. But does that bother him? Not in the slightest. No matter how many times he gets worked over, he’s right back in the mix.

When it comes to snuggles, Bush makes sure he’s front and center. He’s got a perfect "ask"—calm, polite, and impossible to resist.

His intelligence really shines when problem-solving. During free time, he ran up to the pen while I was inside cleaning and demand whining to come in. I honor those because the potty box is in the pen they have to be lifted in and out of at the moment. So I picked him up, set him inside, and he promptly pottied before turning around and sitting by the door to go back out. That’s some impressive reasoning for a little pup!

I went to round up the pups after free play—only to realize I was one short. Sure enough, I found him in the living room, having a one-puppy party after finding an escape route through a faulty latched gate. He was happily jumping, running, and living his best life while the others were none the wiser. You can bet he didn't forget that and was right back at trying to get through that gate the next time so he could enjoy his secret party spot.

During individual time, he brings the same energy—all in, all fun, all the time. He’s also the first to respond to sounds and always acknowledges them with enthusiasm.

Fed

Fed is the perfect mix of sweet and sharp. She loves her cuddles, but don’t let that fool you—this girl is wickedly smart. If she wants to go somewhere, she will figure out how to get there. At this rate, I’m going to have to put a roof on the X-pen because, yes, she’s a climber. More often than not, she’s found hanging out with Mom, having somehow made her great escape while the others are still inside.

When it comes to playtime, Fed is always in the action. She thrives in the middle of the chaos, wrestling and romping with whoever is up for the challenge.

During individual exploration, she’s just as confident. Tail up, nose down—she investigates without hesitation. Unlike some of her siblings, she doesn’t worry about how far she’s wandered from her person. She explores at her own pace, fully engaged in the adventure. And when she’s done? She either follows her own trail right back to me (usually to launch an attack on my shoes) or veers off on another mission entirely.

JT

JT had a bit of a rough week, but that’s just part of growing up. Puppy development is full of ups and downs, and we don’t judge—we just guide. What matters most is making sure each challenge comes with a lesson and a success.

This week, JT was more sensitive to sounds and sights. Nothing unusual—many pups startle more easily at this stage as their brains process new sensory information. Fear hasn’t set in yet (that happens closer to six weeks), but we pay close attention to cues. If a pup flattens their ears, whines with stress, or can’t settle, we adjust. In JT’s case, we turned the speakers down a notch, gave him some extra support, and let Mom’s milk work its magic when needed.

Despite his sensitivity, JT loves playing with his siblings and gets completely lost in the fun. New toys? Yes, please. A rolling ball? Pure excitement. When exploring new areas, his nose leads the way, helping him push past uncertainty and move forward with curiosity.

To help him build confidence, JT got extra attention this week—more time on high places, in new spaces, and around different noises. He may have had a challenging few days, but he’s proving that bravery isn’t about never being unsure—it’s about stepping forward anyway. And that’s exactly what he’s doing.

Dolly

This little firecracker was pure joy this week! Prancing from place to place with a constantly wagging tail, she’s always ready for the next great adventure.

While she still loves her cuddles, she’s starting to keep them short—there’s just too much to see and do! The excitement of exploring new things is simply too irresistible.

During free time, she’s into everything, making sure no corner goes unnoticed. And when it’s time for individual exploration? Fearless. Everywhere is a party, and every time is playtime. Tail wagging, paws swatting—she’s all in, all the time.

Ches

Ches is already proving to have a next-level nose. While his siblings are still fine-tuning their tracking skills, he’s locked in—tenacious, fast, and completely committed to following a trail at full speed.

He’s a sweet pup who loves giving kisses and hugs, but don’t be fooled—lap time quickly turns into a game of King of the Mountain. Free time? Find the milk machine. Individual time? Find the milk machine. In fact, I had to start letting Saoirse stay outside during our sessions just to see what he’d do when milk wasn’t an option.

Turns out, Ches is just as determined when Mom isn’t around. He’ll track her scent straight to the door she exited and then insist on getting through. If redirected to an area with zero Mom smell, he’ll immediately switch gears, lock onto a new scent, and follow it to its source.

If this keeps developing, I just might start introducing him to scent games during individual time—if I can find a reward more enticing than milk!

Squire

Squire had a quieter week, though he still finds his voice when it comes to playtime or requesting a lift. This week, it seems he’s passed the microphone to Sarge—perhaps taking a moment to give his vocal cords a break!

He plays hard and sleeps hard, showing confidence as he explores his surroundings with ease. Nothing seems to faze him; he’s always ready for a new adventure. However, he did miss a couple of individual sessions because he was too busy enjoying his beauty sleep. Even when jostled and smothered with kisses, he’d just snuggle back down and drift off again.

Squire is still working on his manners—most of the time, you can find him standing against the pen, hollering for attention. That’s why he’s often the last to get picked up! On the bright side, it makes nail trimming easier when he’s sleepy, as he doesn’t have the patience to sit still for it when he’s awake. He's constantly on the go.

During free time, he’s the life of the party with his siblings, always initiating play (even when it’s not reciprocated) and encouraging his more reserved brothers to join in the fun.