Pupdate on Our Puppies Progress at 16 Days and Their Next Milestones

Watching puppies grow is a fascinating journey filled with small but significant milestones. At 16 days old, our puppies have already made impressive progress. Today marks the final day of their Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), a crucial phase that helps build their resilience and neurological development. Tomorrow, we will begin Early Sensory Stimulation (ESS), timed carefully to start when their eyes and ears are open and their senses of balance and smell are developing. This pupdate shares detailed insights into their growth, health routines, and what to expect in the coming days.

The puppies sleep a lot right now. Mike and Susan are enjoying the peace and quiet and we're sure Caramel does too. It will get chaotic soon now that they have grown beyond neonates and have nearly tripled their birth weight.

Early Neurological Stimulation Completed

Early Neurological Stimulation is a series of gentle exercises performed daily during the first two weeks of a puppy’s life. These exercises include brief handling techniques such as:

• Tactile stimulation by gently touching the paws and ears

• Head held erect to encourage balance

• Head pointed down to stimulate vestibular function

• Supine position to promote muscle tone

• Thermal stimulation with a cool, wet cloth

• Vibrating massage

• Touching with a beard trimmer to simulate grooming clippers

• Gentle brushing and combing

  
  

These activities last only a few seconds each but have lasting effects on the puppies’ nervous systems. Research shows that puppies who undergo ENS tend to be more confident, adaptable, and better at handling stress later in life. Our puppies have responded well to this routine, showing steady improvements in muscle tone and alertness. They don't care much for being held upside down or supine, but that stress reaction is a sign of good vestibular function.

Transition to Early Sensory Stimulation

Starting tomorrow, we will introduce Early Sensory Stimulation. This phase focuses on exposing puppies to new sights, sounds, and smells to help their sensory systems develop fully. We wait until day 17 because by this time:

• Their eyes have opened, allowing them to process visual stimuli

• Their ears are functional, enabling them to hear and react to sounds

• Their sense of balance and smell are more developed, making sensory exposure effective and safe

  
  

During ESS, we will introduce controlled experiences such as:

• Soft background noises like gentle music or nature sounds

• Different textures for them to explore with their paws and noses

• Mild scents to stimulate olfactory development

• We will continue the vibrating massage, beard trimmer exporsure and brushing/combing

  
  

This gradual sensory exposure helps puppies build confidence and reduces fearfulness as they grow. The exposure to vibration and gromming tools will make a big difference when they go to your dog groomer a few months from now.

Growth and Weight Milestones

Our puppies doubled their birth weights by day 12, a strong indicator of good health and nutrition. This rapid growth is typical in the first few weeks, and we expect them to triple their birth weights within the next 2 to 3 days. Monitoring weight gain closely helps us ensure each puppy is thriving and receiving enough nourishment.

Starting Worming Treatments

Yesterday, we began the first of four worming treatments, which are scheduled at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. Worming is essential to protect puppies from intestinal parasites that can affect their health and growth. Our approach includes:

• Using veterinarian-approved Panacur 10% oral dewormer safe for young puppies

• Administering treatments carefully to avoid stress

• Monitoring puppies for any side effects or reactions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH5lht67Avc

This is Pup six receiving his first worming treatment, We do this three consecutive days at weeks 2, 4, 6, & 8 using Panacea 10% oral suspension, which is a broad spectrum medicine that eliminates many types of worms.

Regular worming supports a healthy digestive system and helps prevent common issues like diarrhea and poor weight gain.

What to Expect in the Coming Weeks

As the puppies continue to grow, several exciting developments lie ahead:

• Eyesight and Hearing: Their vision and hearing will improve, allowing them to interact more with their environment, each other, Caramel and the visitors we will bring in to help socialise them.

• Mobility: They will start standing, walking, and exploring, building muscle strength and coordination. They will escape from the welping box, so we'll ut a fence around it soon.

• Socialization: Interaction with littermates and humans will increase, shaping their behavior and temperament. We've already begun short visits with trusted friends and neighbours that Caramel is used to having around.

• Teething: Around 3-4 weeks, their baby teeth will begin to emerge, leading to new chewing behaviors.

  
  

Each stage requires attentive care and gentle encouragement to support healthy development.

Practical Tips for Puppy Care at This Stage

To help puppies thrive during this critical period, consider these practical tips:

• Maintain a warm, clean, and quiet environment to reduce stress

• Handle puppies gently but regularly to build trust and social skills

• Keep feeding schedules consistent to support steady growth

• Monitor health closely, noting any signs of illness or discomfort

• Prepare for the transition to solid food around 4 weeks

  
  

Final Thoughts on This Pupdate

Our puppies have reached an important milestone at 16 days, completing their Early Neurological Stimulation and preparing for the next phase of sensory development. Their steady growth, weight gain, and health routines set a strong foundation for the weeks ahead. By carefully supporting their neurological and sensory systems, we help them become confident, healthy dogs ready to explore the world.