Week 5 – New Adventures, Growing Paws, and the Art of Cuddles

This week was packed with adventures! The pups explored the barn, met the entire adult pack all at once, tested out new toys and equipment, and—most importantly—discovered the sheer joy of free time in the yard.

They’re getting the hang of potty training, now making it quite a distance before needing to go. We've expanded their training area to include free time in the kitchen, and so far, so good! They've also gotten their own separate feeding bowls. I do this so they don't feel the need to fight for their food. No need to start resource guarding, right?

This week included a little spa treatment—genital hair trims to prevent UTIs, nail trims, and exposure to a variety of loud noises. Every morning, we kick things off with "coffee cuddles," where the pups practice patience by sitting quietly to be picked up. During these sessions, they get comfortable with being handled—belly rubs, teeth checks, tail pets, the works—but, truthfully, they’re mostly in it for the snuggles.

Pictures are getting more difficult with them on the constant move, so we wait until they are sleeping and then grab some portraits. Of course this results in some sleepy eyed subjects.

Free time with the adults has been both fun and educational. The grown-ups are teaching the pups some important social skills: manners earn attention, while jumping, biting, or otherwise acting like a tiny land shark results in being politely avoided. At this stage, the adults are still patient, but soon enough, more direct corrections will begin.

Everyone got a brand-new piece of jewelry this week, and not a single pup was bothered past the occasion scratch. They love that they can pull their siblings around by them!

Dolly

Dolly

Dolly had a lot to say this week—she’s definitely not shy about voicing her opinions! She’s perfected the art of demand barking, but we’re working on teaching her that patience and calmness are far more effective. Mama Saoirse has taken it upon herself to help with this lesson, standing by the X-pen and waiting—sometimes for a solid 15 minutes—until Dolly settles before offering her meal. Saoirse’s consistency is paying off, and Dolly is catching on quickly.

Out with the pack, Dolly is fearless when it comes to new experiences. She took a keen interest in the free-range chickens, observing them intently before moving on to her next adventure. Right now, she’s quite assertive with the adult dogs, often testing boundaries with playful bites and enthusiastic jumping. Fortunately, the adults are patient, letting her figure out that good manners lead to engagement while overly pushy behavior gets ignored. True to her smart and determined nature, she’s adapting fast!

Fed

Fed

Fed has fully embraced her role as the resident escape artist this week. If there’s a way out, she’ll find it—then happily trot off to spend quality time with Mom. One morning, after a successful jailbreak from the X-pen, she enjoyed a solo kitchen adventure before making her way through the living room gate to find me. With a wagging tail and all the confidence in the world, she plopped down at my feet, politely requesting her well-earned coffee cuddles. Naturally, I obliged, and she contentedly hung out while I finished my morning brew.

Her independent streak has us adding another potty box to the setup—because while she’s mastered the art of getting out, figuring out how to get back in remains a work in progress.

Like her siblings, Fed adores outdoor playtime with the pack. It’s easily her favorite activity—right up there with sneaking extra moments at the milk bar.

Mahala

Mahala

Mahala is the definition of work hard, play hard—though in her case, it’s more like play hard, sleep harder. She’s a quiet observer, preferring to skip the early morning puppy choir. She seems to have figured out that hollering for attention doesn’t speed up the process, so instead, she waits patiently on the outskirts… which, funnily enough, often means she gets picked first. Smart girl.

Outdoor free time is where Mahala truly shines. She loves nothing more than running full speed, fine-tuning her coordination, and testing just how fast those little legs can carry her. However, her coordination is still a work in progress—her front legs and back legs occasionally have... disagreements. Thankfully, she bounces back like a champ—ready to charge forward into her next grand adventure.

Sam

Sam

Raggity Sammy is holding onto her title this week! Her absolute favorite thing to do is melt into your arms. While she may be the smallest pup in the litter, nobody has told her that—and she certainly isn’t about to let size slow her down. She’s got the heart of a lion and isn’t afraid to throw her weight (however tiny) into a good wrestling match with her brothers. In fact, she’s often the one to instigate the roughhousing, proving that a big personality easily makes up for a smaller frame.

When she’s not toppling her siblings, Sam confidently struts around the yard like she owns the place. She’s a natural explorer, scaling grates, tile steps, brick piles, branches, and logs with the determination of a seasoned mountaineer. If there’s something new to investigate, you can bet she’ll be the first one there—leading the charge and showing the others how it’s done.

JT

JT

Slow and steady wins the race this week. He's putting much of his energy into growing so is sleepy more than not. Because of this, JT has gained the nickname Eeyore this week. JT took a more reserved approach, quietly observing the chaos rather than diving headfirst into it. He makes fantastic eye contact and has the patience of a saint when it comes to waiting his turn. However, laying on his back? Not his favorite pastime—so we made sure to get plenty of practice in.

His confidence as an explorer has skyrocketed, and he now happily ventures out with his brothers. When he’s on his own, he has a methodical approach, lowering his tail only as he carefully processes new and interesting scents, not in fear but in focus.

He has a natural inclination to stick with the adults, happily shadowing them around the yard like a little apprentice. Meal and milk time, however, are another story—he tends to be fashionably late to the party. We’re making sure he gets plenty of praise and rewards when he does come, reinforcing that showing up on time has its perks. On the plus side, his potty training was top-notch this week—gold star for JT!

Punch

Punch

This freckle-faced mischief-maker is as full of personality as he is spots. And let’s be honest—he comes by those “naughty spots” honestly! Punch is an endlessly happy pup, diving headfirst into every game, every toy, and every adventure with pure enthusiasm.

Despite his playful antics, he’s impressively patient and makes fantastic eye contact, already showing the makings of a highly biddable dog. He’s also a total cuddle bug—flip him over for a belly rub, and he’ll melt like butter in your hands.

He’s been right in the thick of things this week, never missing an opportunity to play. If there’s a wrestling match, chase game, or general puppy mayhem happening, you can bet Punch is in the middle of it, loving every second.

Bush

Bush

Bush is the sweet, soft-hearted observer of the group. Naturally submissive, he’s often on the bottom of a disagreement. He’s happy to let his siblings take center stage while he soaks in the world around him. His favorite pastimes include snuggling (ragdoll-style, belly up), one-on-one play with his person, and happily engaging in his own personal play parties.

During free time, you might find him happily playing with a toy by himself, tailing the adults to learn the ropes, or simply sitting back and taking in the sights and sounds of the big, exciting world.

And make no mistake—he absolutely knows he’s adorable and isn’t afraid to use that charm to his advantage! With his warm eye contact and happy-go-lucky nature, he’s always thrilled to see his people, and they’re just as thrilled to see him.

Sarge

Sarge

Sarge is a vocalist at heart, performing lively duets with Dolly. Their signature tune? A heartfelt ballad titled “Let Me Out Right Now!” with verses alternating between “I want to play!” and “Pick me up this instant!”—a true masterpiece in demand barking.

Despite his vocal enthusiasm, his potty training is coming along beautifully, and he’s starting to make strong eye contact. Mornings aren’t for cuddling (there’s just too much to do!), but by evening, once he’s burned off all that energy, he’s more than happy to settle in for some long, heartfelt hugs.

During playtime, Sarge operates at full speed, zooming from one adventure to the next. His preferred method of getting the adults to engage? A bit of persistent tail, foot, or belly nibbling. While the grown-ups are impressively patient, they’re also teaching him some manners—Mama, in particular, has made it clear that polite requests get much better results.

Squire

Squire

Squire has turned into a delightful little companion this week. His eye contact is impeccable, and he’s definitely a calmer version of his former self. He’s a fast learner, already mastering the play bow and understanding the ins and outs of dog communication. He’s constantly joyful, whether he’s playing with his siblings or exploring new corners of the world.

When it’s cuddle time, Squire gets all serious. He’s not just a casual napper—he’ll happily roll onto his back in your arms for a proper snooze. Just two weeks ago, this was a hard pass, but now he’s all about the snuggles.

A polite and respectful pup, Squire is always in the thick of things. His patience is still a work in progress, though. If he’s not quickly chosen for coffee cuddles or outdoor play, he’ll wander off, find a toy, and take a nap—he’s got his own agenda. But as soon as he remembers there’s more love or adventure to be had, he’s back in action, ready for his turn!

Ches

Ches

Ches hangs around the middle of the pack during activities, ready to be chosen for cuddles or to be let out. He's a big fan of shoes, often seeking them out to experience the wonderful smells they hold. He’s also learning ‘no bite,’ as his curiosity about the world, especially scents, leads him to want to chew on just about everything he encounters.

When it’s time for outside play, Ches is mostly focused on the hunt—searching for the smelliest trails he can follow. He’s less about wrestling unless a sibling tackles him first. Then, he’s all in. However, once his nose locks onto a new scent, he’s off again, fully immersed in a new smelly exploration. Playtime may have to wait!