E Litter Tehillah German Shepherds Puppy Journal Transitional Stage of Puppy Growth

During the transitional period, the key behavior’s you start to see with the pups are the eye’s opening, teeth beginning to merge, and the getting up on all 4 legs to start to walk. Towards the end of the period they will begin to lap liquids and they will defecate without the mom’s stimulation.

The pups are now in the transitional period. I stopped doing the neurological stimulation on day 16. It is interesting to note that the last several days of the neurological stimulation the pups were real comfortable being held and didn’t mind the stimulation at all.

17 Days

It is day 17 and all their eyes are open. These pups are a little ahead in their growth. They started using their legs to get up and take a few steps a bit before this period started. Most are walking pretty well and a few have almost even made it out of the whelping box. I added a bit of material to make the opening a little higher. They are more vocal now, when wanting their meals and during their meals. You know when they are getting their food as you can hear them gulping. They can also hear now, as they are responding a bit to my voice and Tikka’s noise. Even though their eyes are open their eyesight is dim.

They are starting to discover each other, and I am just beginning to see the start of pack-oriented behavior such as pawing at each’s others faces and chewing on littermates ears. They are starting to look more and more like tiny adults. They don’t stay awake for too long yet before they doze back to sleep to gather their strength. Tikka is doing great with them. Feeds them when they need it and caring for them appropriately. We allow her a bit more time ‘away’ from them and she does not panic to get back. Although she is quick to run to the room to check on them all the time. She is such a good mom.

Photos of Puppies at 20 Days

Purple Boy