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I decided that since people enjoyed following along with the journey of Panda's Litter, you might also enjoy following along on Ducky's journey as a show/performance prospect. Of course there will be a lot of overlap with raising a puppy to be a good, "solid citizen" pet puppy, so I hope that everyone can benefit from it.
I didn't know quite where to put it. I started to put it in the puppy section, but realized that the "puppy year" goes by in a flash, and is really just be beginning of a young dog's career. So I'm posting it here under "General". 🤷♀️
As many who followed our litter thread know, Ducky's last littermate left yesterday afternoon. The weaning pens were broken down, and a smaller pen was set up for Ducky in my office. This will be his nap spot, time-out spot and his "safe storage" spot when he needs to be left home alone. Right now, he is having a bit of a temper tantrum, as I put him in it for his morning nap for the first time without any siblings. But I do think it is important for him to learn to settle by himself. So, for now, I'm letting him cry it out.
*Note, I did go back and put a small crate in the pen for him to see if he'd prefer that to cuddle in. I positioned it against the wall, so it didn't give him any escape access! Panda also asked to go in with him, and I let her for now. They are BOTH adjusting to life without the other puppies!
![174918]()
Ducky has the run. of our large kitchen when he is awake, along with the "big dogs". This would be MUCH TOO MUCH SPACE if I had just brought him home from another breeder. But he grew up here, and has proven that he is trustworthy in this space and knows how to find and use the litter box reliably in this space.
![174919]()
The "toy cube" is NOT something I would run out and buy for a puppy you bring home from a breeder either. They are expensive, (meant for litters) and a 10 week old puppy is getting to the end of playing with it. But he is small and still likes it. And I have it, so he still gets to play with it!
I did put one of our big "couch" type dog cushions in the corner of the kitchen so he and Panda can comfortably lounge on it together!
![174920]()
He is sleeping upstairs with us (and the rest of the dogs!) in a small plastic crate on top of Kodi's crate, beside my bed. He's been a star. He has been up there for about a week, while I crate trained the rest of the puppies, and has mostly slept through the night, only getting up when one of the other puppies needed to get up. Last night he did start squeaking at around 5:00 and had to get up to poop, but then settled right back in, and slept until we all got up!
I didn't know quite where to put it. I started to put it in the puppy section, but realized that the "puppy year" goes by in a flash, and is really just be beginning of a young dog's career. So I'm posting it here under "General". 🤷♀️
As many who followed our litter thread know, Ducky's last littermate left yesterday afternoon. The weaning pens were broken down, and a smaller pen was set up for Ducky in my office. This will be his nap spot, time-out spot and his "safe storage" spot when he needs to be left home alone. Right now, he is having a bit of a temper tantrum, as I put him in it for his morning nap for the first time without any siblings. But I do think it is important for him to learn to settle by himself. So, for now, I'm letting him cry it out.
*Note, I did go back and put a small crate in the pen for him to see if he'd prefer that to cuddle in. I positioned it against the wall, so it didn't give him any escape access! Panda also asked to go in with him, and I let her for now. They are BOTH adjusting to life without the other puppies!
Ducky has the run. of our large kitchen when he is awake, along with the "big dogs". This would be MUCH TOO MUCH SPACE if I had just brought him home from another breeder. But he grew up here, and has proven that he is trustworthy in this space and knows how to find and use the litter box reliably in this space.
The "toy cube" is NOT something I would run out and buy for a puppy you bring home from a breeder either. They are expensive, (meant for litters) and a 10 week old puppy is getting to the end of playing with it. But he is small and still likes it. And I have it, so he still gets to play with it!
I did put one of our big "couch" type dog cushions in the corner of the kitchen so he and Panda can comfortably lounge on it together!
He is sleeping upstairs with us (and the rest of the dogs!) in a small plastic crate on top of Kodi's crate, beside my bed. He's been a star. He has been up there for about a week, while I crate trained the rest of the puppies, and has mostly slept through the night, only getting up when one of the other puppies needed to get up. Last night he did start squeaking at around 5:00 and had to get up to poop, but then settled right back in, and slept until we all got up!
