The first sonogram, @ about 25 days shows the promising black hole! That is a good thing.
The second sonogram shows growth & development. The pup is in the upper center and goes to the right.
Here’s Kayta one day before her ‘big day’!
A tisket, a tasket, look what’s in my basket! This was right at the vets, right after birth.
Announcing 2 more little gals and a guy!
Day 1, all cleaned up by mom. From L to R; dark grey is a girl, black is a girl, light gray is the boy. Kayta had several days to bond with the pups due to the c-section. But, she’s a great mother and they’re all settled in now.
Now this is a suck response…day 1.
I gave them several uninterrupted bonding days with mom, due to her being under anesthesia during her ‘delivery’. Now, I can start handling them more. They are all busy, active and very mobile.
I have registered names for all 3 of the pups and will be registering them by 8 weeks of age.
Here’s brother and sister at 3 days old.
This is the darker grey gal. At birth she weighed 15.5 oz. Now, @ 3 days, she is 1# 1 1/2 oz.
The black gal is a go getter! She was 1# on the nose, but now is 1# 3 oz.
The grey guy was the largest of the litter. He weighed in at 1# 2 1/2 oz. when he was born. Now, he’s 1# 5 oz.
The pups are starting to regulate their own heat, so I am seeing them occasionally sleep a little away from mom.
They scoot all over the back half of the whelping box. Siberians are an extremely curious breed…looks like it starts early.
…but that nose always leads them back to mom at this age.
So, the end of any journey should always be a snack~and these pups snack a lot!
This was taken the day she came home after the c-section. You can see how big the pups are in comparison.
Kayta and the dark grey gal getting some snuggle time.
The following 3 shots are just close ups of their little faces. Here’s the grey guy.
…and the grey gal.
… and the black gal.
The two sisters are snoozing. They all sleep in any position, any time. It’s just what dogs do.
It’s toenail time! Everyone got their first pedicure. I just take the very tip of the nail off. Front feet first…
…then back feet. It starts with some quality bonding and getting them used to being on their back & ends with massaging all 4 feet. The grey pups accepted being on their back easily…but then there’s~~
the little black gal who wanted NONE of this back stuff! So, extra time was warranted before I could start nails. After a time, she realized wiggling wouldn’t help, whining wouldn’t help & howling wouldn’t help.
She finally came to realize that this wasn’t so bad after all. She actually liked this chest rub–
–and she got so comfy, she fell fast asleep, and a deep sleep it was.
I even changed her position from the cradling to resting on her side on my chest w/o waking. She slept right through her manicure.
This sleeping position is always a good thing to see with the pups. The hips are extended and obviously comfortable for a nice sleep. Both Coop and Kayta scored an excellent for their hip OFA conformation. That genetic test is only one of the genetic tests the parents had to try and ensure the best litter possible.
The pups are starting to get some time with trusted friends, males…
…and females. These folks are people who Kayta is comfortable with, at this point, too.
The pups are a week old already. I can hardly believe it. They are growing like little weeds. The black gal is 1# 14 1/2 oz.; the grey boy is 2# 1 1/2 oz. & the grey gal is no slouch @ 1# 12 1/2 oz.
Now, what’s wrong with this picture?
There, now I got it right! Another great triple shot on their 1 week birthday.
Pups are widening their horizons with being held by my closest friends. Socialization is one of most important activities that can be done with Siberians…
…and it needs to be started early, gradually & continuously. There is a line that has to be broached between time with mom and time with people. I start ‘time with people’ @ about 3 days, and once it starts~it doesn’t stop.
Now, you (&I) see all the pups sleeping. But, they are all very active sleepers. And not just dreaming-. Development of neurons, scent, tactile, visual connections, cortical tissue and SO much more. Much of the time, @ is in constant motion and that is something I love to see. It is another good thing.
Ever since the black gal and I had a ‘discussion’ about her acceptance of her being on her back, she has been good as gold on her back. She just had to learn that it is a comfortable position and that I wasn’t going to give in.
Siberians learn very early what works, and what doesn’t. I use lots of positive attention and training, a deaf ear (@ times) and much resolute.
Road trip! Puppies are back in the basket for a road trip going with Kayta to get her staples out. But, this time, the basket is really crowded with @ pup over 2# each. But, they did fine and slept over and back.
The pups had a few minutes with the vet who did Kayta’s section, Dr. J. Joseph Bache. They got weighed and had a little more socialization. It was a good trip and everyone arrived home tired.
It’s hard to believe the pups are 2 weeks old today! They have started to walk and eyes should open any day now.
The grey gal weighed in at 2# 8 1/2 oz. today. Everyone is gaining regularly and eating like little champs!
Now, this grey guy can sleep in any position, any time, and anywhere, but get him near mom and he wakes immediately and starts trotting right to her. Weight today is 2# 14 1/2 oz.
The black gal is growing like crazy too, and weighs almost as much as her brother. She’s 2# 13 oz. today, on her 2 week birthday.
Now, the black gal walks all over the place. She is one curious little lady. She reminds me of Haven, the gal peeking in, in the next photo.
Haven, and later Majic, both peeked in on the puppies. They were quite interested, but became REALLY enthralled when they MOVED! Holy Cow!, they are alive. Now, this is exciting and even more excitement in the days to come!
Barb is Kayta’s “real” mom, one of her breeders, who came up to our dog show and stayed for a few days at my place. So, she had plenty of puppy time. She is just as delighted with them as I am and can’t wait to watch their development. In honor of their grandma, they even started opening their eyes, which you can see in this and the next photo.
Can you see the little squinty eyes? Also, they are starting to respond to sound, so ears are opening. They are starting to walk. It is the beginning of what I like to call “The Week of Firsts.” I love them, too, Barb.
Here is the first of the FIRSTS! It’s the first walk. Everybody is up on their feet and just going….not sure where or why, but they are going. Here are both girls.
~and here is the grey guy walking, too. They were taken out of the whelping box, put on a clean blanket on the floor and allowed to explore for a few minutes. After a minute or so of huddling, it was “off to explore”. They explored for a few minutes, then back to mom for a snack and nap. Probably another first tomorrow…SO exciting!
Another FIRST! Everybody’s eyes are wide open. They’ve been partially open for a day or so, but now they are really open.
The first few days there was lots of squinting, 1 eye open and 1 eye closed and probably a lot of blurriness at their end.
But it only takes a few days to focus and get them using their eyes in sync. Looks like all dark eyes, but will let you know as things progress. Mom has dark, dark chocolate brown eyes and dad is bi-eyed.
All these firsts are tiring and pups make no bones about letting you know when they have had enough of their close-ups Another FIRST coming tomorrow~
Another FIRST…Squeaks are all gone. They are overtaken by barks, growls and even howls. Here is the grey boy getting spunky with his big boy bark.
Another FIRST! Playtime is starting now that they are recognizing themselves from others. The first game is always “I gotcha nose.”
-I gotcha your whole muzzle. Now, this is really a game! They are also localizing sound. I’ll bring the clicker in tomorrow!
The pups not only bond with my friends, they bond with me. Here the grey boy gets some special time…
really, they all do (just happened to have a camera for this one).
The gang is 3 weeks old today and I did a video which is at the bottom of this page. Enjoy! No individual pics, due to the video. They had their FIRST toy experience today, too. Growing fast. The black gal is 3# 12 oz., the boy is 3# 15 oz. and the grey gal bring up the pack at 3# 7 1/2 oz. All are looking great and starting clicker training.
More new friends. Socialize, Socialize, Socialize. Now, folks don’t get out of my home w/o puppy time.
Now, this doesn’t even need a caption.
I know this may be getting boring, but another FIRST! (See, I told you it was the week of FIRSTS!) First teeth have broken through, so the toys are making it on the scene just in time. These puppy teeth are sharp, tiny needles and it is much better to have lots of toys to munch on (than mom, or ME–but it does come with the territory)
This is Kayta’s favorite sleeping position…Like mother, ~~~
~~ like daughter. Not only this pup, but many of Kayta’s pups sleep like this…3 in this house alone! I LOVE genetics!
I bought this used Little Tykes 8/1 climber for the gang. Magic, Haven, Kaho and Kayta have already given it their seal of approval. I can’t wait for the pups to be big enough to use it! It’ll be soon. They will be 4 weeks old this Thursday. Another nail clip today, and getting the climber up, so I didn’t get new photos taken. Tomorrow!
They are becoming even more vocal…howling on a daily basis, along with barking, growling, yipping, cooing, you name it and they pretty much vocalize it when awake or asleep.
As you can see, the pups are close to bridging the low gate. Soon, I will have to add the extension that raises it = to the height of the whelping box. Once they learn the physical action of jumping over the gate, there is no stopping them AND once 1 learns it, the others watch and copy. I will probably add the extension play kennel on in a week or two.
Now, this is an interesting photo…no puppies, no Siberians, a couch, a water bucket, some puppy blankets, a clicker, the corner of the whelping box and… and an ICalm. That’s the little blue machine sitting on the arm of the couch. I play the ICalm puppy for the pups whenever I leave the house. When they get bigger, will put in the thunderstorm and city sounds.
I said it would be soon and it was…today was the first breach of the lower gate by the grey girl. So, the others won’t be far behind and the taller gate will be going up by tonight! Another FIRST! and one day before their 4 week birthday~
4 weeks old and happy birthday to you 3! And for the birthday present I registered the litter. That makes the AKC happy!
I took several shots of the puppies and am including 2 shots of @, for a different angle. The grey gal weighed in at 4# 3 1/2 oz. today.
Nobody is going hungry, but they are doing the big sniff when I feed Kayta. Kibble will start in about a week.
The little grey guy tried to play “I got your nose” with the teddy bear when I brought him out. He just wants to play with everyone and everything. His weight today is 4# 14 1/2 oz.
The black girl has a little black spot on her right lip. It’s been there since she was born. Haven has it, too. Must have come down from Kayta’s side. I think of it like Marilyn Monroe.
She is right tad in the middle, weight wise, and has been since she was born…4# 10 oz. today.
I have an announcement! BJ has added another video below. It is our first video’d playtime w/ BJ…not our first playtime w/ her, however, but first time on video. We had a blast, but we always do! Guess that is what 4 week old puppies are suppose to do and we are true to form! It is the first in line. Mom is setting the date for our big move and our first real meal…YUM!
2 more days until the new bigger box. The gang is so ready to be moved! Anxiously awaiting, as you can see! Weights today are…grey gal is 4# 12 oz., grey guy is 5# 10 1/2 oz., and the black girl is 5# 5 1/2 oz. Everyone is still on the right track.
Happy day! First real food and what a hit it was! It took only a few seconds of discovery and then everybody was ‘all in’. There wasn’t too much and it wasn’t too wet, and it was partially chopped, but it was just right. Ask ’em! They are eating Annamaet 32%. Mom switched over from RAW and Annamaet 26% (to only the 32%) at about 4 weeks into her pregnancy.
Here are the new digs. The whelping box is in the back and the play area is in the front, so it is about double the size. I added 2 new play tunnels and they have already explored them. It was a busy day yesterday with the new kennel and a vet visit…So, they had their first car trip in a crate. That went well, with mom right in the crate next to them. They were wormed and had an a wonderful socialization visit, too!
But, when they arrived home, they were just thirsty and wanted a drink, then off for a well deserved good sleep. It was a LONG day.
Here’s just some group playtime with all 3 in the new kennel. I reserve some special toys (Now, doesn’t that piss Kayta off!) just for these times, so they stay fresh and interesting.
When I went in for their playtime with me today, I took the unstuffables and used them as a lure to have the pups go through the tunnels. They go through on their own, but I wanted them to do it for me, so I could use the clicker with them for that behavior.
The Adventure Box is set up and ready to go. This (and the next photo) show you how it looks.
The hanging obstacles are not attached at the bottom and are of various objects, weights, sounds and sizes.
This (and the next 2) are just stills of the pups on their first experience in it.
The pups took little to no time at all to start exploring, sniffing and pawing around. No one was afraid. It was good to see a nice healthy curiosity, which all Siberians should have.
The grey gal and boy played tugs with the chain, tablespoons and paint rollers. All learned they could go through (or fall through) easily. They even banged just a bit on the tin cans and tasted the aluminum pie plates. A good day all around. I posted a video below.
The tunnels are a big hit and everyone plays in them. Here I interrupted
a game of some sort. They are keeping that a secret!
Then, even the grey gal got involved. Funny, they all stop and pose for photos. They must take after their Uncle Kaho, he is a photo hound, too.
Yep, you can tell when they are growing up. The kids want a separate bedroom…, Seriously, though, 6 weeks tomorrow~
6 weeks already…I can hardly believe it! The gang is getting used to the grooming table. It is just one of their 7 new surfaces to explore this week~ 7 in 7! Northern Sanctuary’s weight today is 7# 5 oz.
By 7 weeks, the pups should have been exposed to 7 different surfaces (ie. carpet, linoleum, blanket, grooming table, wood, etc.). You just want them to start experiencing more and more of their world and learning that it is wonderful and not to be feared. Arctic Refuge’s weight is 8# 2 1/2 oz.
Since they don’t get their vaccinations until next Thursday, the surfaces will all be in the house…but watch out world–they will be out there soon! Snowy Retreat’s weight today is 6# 7 oz.
The pups are getting practice on the linoleum here and it was NO problem for little black Quista. She just trotted right across it from my 2 friends, Jackie to Nicole. This is part of the 7 by 7 exercises we do.
Here big boy Quista had no problem, either. The grey gal was the only one who was a little tentative. But, we worked her through her first trial and then she was fine. Go easy with first experiences to make them positive and Siberians will always rise to the challenge.
At the end of every rainbow is a pot of gold and in the pot of this exercise at both ends are big hugs, much love and happy voices. It makes it all worth while. And, YES, I will be giving them call names within the next few days, so they won’t all be called Quista—big, happy smile!
Now , here’s a story. This is a small Black & Decker vacuum I use for the car and touch ups. The pups are pretty well used to the big vacuum, but this is a new one with a different sound. I wanted to use it inside the kennel for its ease of use, but the pups were leary. When I first used it outside the kennel, they went to the farthest corner and were nervous. So, training was in order. First, I put it inside the kennel (power off) and just walked away. They quickly explored the new monster invading their bedroom. Turning it on made them nervous and running away, though. So, I brought in Kayta, turned it on and suddenly they turned into big, brave puppies which I thoroughly let them know they were. Now, I can vacuum the whole bedroom, even touch their fur with the nozzle and they are fine. This whole process took less than 24 hours. This photo was taken with the vacuum running.
So, “my” call names are always individual. Once pups are adopted, they can be changed, but I have to have a name for them @ least for their last weeks here. My vets & I always joke about my coming in with names i.e.: “Spot”, “Buddy” and “Fido” and he would just about drop his teeth. So, in true form…these pups are NOT Spot, Buddy and Fido. The little black gal’s call name is Quista, pro. Keesta, named for being “fun, cool & great”.
And here is Ty-ohni which is from the Ty-ohni British Utonagan wolf-a-like dog.
…And last, but not least is Nijaa, pro. Ni-jah, which is an Inupiaq word for “our friend”.
Now they deserve to be tired! Why? It was a big day here and @ the vets. Collars and leashes were introduced here and @ the vet they had another exam (and they got their first report card!), got wormed (MMM; banana flavor!), got their Avid microchip, nails were clipped, all got their “to-go” puppy Iverhart heart worm pill and “to-go” Nexgard flea pill, and their DAPP vaccination. That is the best news so they can start their “all around the town” visits! So, rest up, pups. It’ll be busy around here. 7 week photos will be tomorrow. Too much going on today. From L to R…Nijaa, Quista and Ty-Ohni.
First trip outside into the grass and it was a hit for their 7 week old birthday. So much to see, smell, hear and taste. BJ’s front yard is a sensory smorgasboard! Here Quista is checking out the tree in the front yard. She also checked out the marble stones, grass, weeds…You name it, she checked it out after a few minutes of getting her bearings. Weight today is 8# 4 oz.
It also only took Ty-ohni a very few minutes to get his wits about him. Once that was done, he was walking around, just like he knew what he was doing. First few days on collars & leashes, I let the pups do the leading. Shortly, they will learn to come along with me. Now, we can add 2 more surfaces to our 7 by 7…cement and grass. Weight today is 9# 1 oz.
I thought I should get a moving shot, so here is Nijaa just a going, like her brother and sister. When I start working with the collar & leash, I channel Barbara Woodhouse~~”Walkies!” and off we go.
PS~Pups are beginning to sit on command. Will try for a photo tomorrow! Weight today is 7# 4 oz.
So today was another day of discovery…the pen. In the pen I have several playtoys of varying sizes. There is an oldie goldie stairs w/ slide, a cube with holes and a platform and the biggie that I wrote about in an earlier photo.
These first 2 photos are of Nijaa just checking things out; going in the out door, ‘chawing’ on a little grass (the first and most important step in becoming Siberian cows!), & smelling new smells.
Ty-ohni (and both his sisters) went through the tunnel several times. I helped all 3 of them down the slides, too.
None of the pups were exceptionally afraid of anything…all had a healthy skepticism, but then realized this is a fun place. All of them did a fair piece of trotting-running around, as well.
I took @ one out separately today, for their introduction. I wanted @ of them to have a smooth transition to the equipment and knew it would be too hard to do it with all 3 @ once. Everyone had about 10 minutes outside in the pen.
Here’s Quista coming out of the tunnel. They are tired, not only from this, but @ had their first short walk with me using their collars & leash. When walking, they @ got another surface under their 7 by 7 belt…asphalt (blacktop). It was a good day.
Ready, set, go! Playtime was a big hit for everybody and I know they will look forward to it tomorrow, too.
It only takes Ty-ohni a few seconds to figure out his next move…
Who needs the door when there is a window? Everybody got 2 short walks today and started going up and down some small hills. A tiring day all around.
Here the gang is ready for their first solo (without mom) trip. We went to the middle of town, the major park, and practiced on the leash and collar again. Each pup got to see even more cars, some BIG trucks, more folks, a few kids and the town fountain. So, it is like building blocks, @ day a little bit more.
After @ pup finished their collar & leash training at the park, we went over to our good friend and they had some playtime in her tunnel. They had some practice in my short one yesterday, so this was easy…just longer! Everybody went in and out more times than I can count.
Here is just a snapshot of Ty-ohni doing a fancy front leg crossover as he exits. Tomorrow, the nursing home with Kaho and Haven!
The pups did great at the nursing home today. They explored the wheelchairs and met several of the elderly folks as well as staff. They were quite the hit. The pups are doing quite well with their clicker training. They sit for treats (1 piece of their kibble), sit for water, sit for their food, sit for toys and sit to be picked up.
It has been a long and tiring day and we are all ready to chill for a bit before bed. We went to Pittsburg and had our first show evaluation. There was lots of drive time with mom and Haven along for the ride, too, but it was a breeze! Everyone got checked over and watched as we ran and played. BJ got to see Ash again and he and Haven had a terrific play date. It was fun to see them play together again.
Well, we had another busy day. Mickie came and did the second show evaluation on all the puppies. Everyone got checked over and loved a lot! Mickie has been in my life ever since Suka. She is my mentor and very close friend. She
a been into Siberians since she was a young woman and is a wealth of information and great judgement.
She checked them on the grooming table, held them, and watched them play inside as well as outside. She felt them all over to try and get a read on their bone structure, too.
Pups need to be about 8 weeks old to start to show this development and that is why these evaluations are not done any earlier. These pups are about 8 1/2 weeks old. Many times, final show evaluations are not done until many months old.
All the pups reacted well to Mickie. None were fearful, just happy and curious…also busy, which is what all 8 week old puppies should be!
All got big a big Mickie hug when finished which they all love. Thank you, Mickie. We all love you!
We had another full play day today. After a difficult week with both show evaluations, I decided it would be best to stay home, relax and just play. So, play we did. Here Ty-ohni and Quista are @ the big slide. I help them get to the top now, but they get to the bottom just fine!
Quista is the first to try to climb up the slide. She has been unsuccessful, but she still tries and tries. She gets up about half way and then just slips back down.
Today the pups were introduced to two new water toys: the mister and the pool. They explored the mister during the morning and the pool in the afternoon as the weather heated up.
At first, they were skeptical, as you would think, but after a few minutes, all thought it was pretty cool. They slid down the little slide right into the cool and had fun.
Quista even took out a few minutes for a hose drink…Reminds me of my childhood!
Time to quit. They are so quiet and calm tonight. No doubt, they will sleep well. All are in the Adventure Box for a while now and then off to bed.
Yesterday, we went to visit a friend who has Goldens, so the gang got to get up close and personal with Song, Deacon and Nala. After a few minutes, they settled right in and started playing with all the Golden toys. They didn’t play with the Goldens due to the height and weight disparity.
They are very friendly with all the dogs they meet, curious, tails up and happy. Deacon is wondering about this little guy, though! New play video below!
Ty has been weighed for his last time @ Amarok as he left for his new home. At 9 weeks, he weighed 11.7 #. Now, the gals are out of the whelping box and into crate training and outside toilet training big time. They still sleep together @ night in 1 crate, with the ICalm playing.
During the day, they spend about 50% of the time in separate crates, next to each other. Both do fine. Nijaa’s weight @ 9 weeks was 9# 14 oz.
Here’s Quista with some time alone. Lots of toys, elk enters and chews in all the puppy crates, that is for sure! Quista was 10# 6 oz. on the scale. It was the last time for the puppy scale. All have outgrown it. On to the vet scale!
Both gals got their first bath today. Jackie helped out so we could get them done. They were angels in the tub, after all they love the pool! Both loved the scrubbing bubbles, the rinse and the nice towel rub afterwards. Here’s Nijaa with a nice face for you. Both gals gave us kisses for their first bath, too. Pups are sleeping in separate crates now and begin STAR puppy classes this week.
Siberians need to have shade in the summer, so I put up a tent in the play area. The black and reds are the most prone to sunburn (coat damage starts in as little as 45 minutes in direct overhead sunlight). This way they can be out in the sun for the pool, but can cool off in the shade, too. Here Quista and Nijaa are enjoying a great case of the zoomies!
The pups go down the slide independently now. Really, they go all over the jungle gym independently…through the tunnel, window and door…up the stairs and all over~ just having a ball. Here’s Nijaa off for a dunk in the pool. Both gals did great in STAR puppy class last night. They had several play sessions with new friends, practiced their sits and learned ‘down’ and collar ‘got cha’ retrieval. Everyone came home tired and full!
Well, it is time to put this page to bed. Nijaa has gone to her new home in New York. She is living with a wonderful family who has owned one of Amarok’s Siberians before. It was Siqu, who passed recently. So, Nijaa is going into a home ready and willing to give her all the love and attention she needs. She just finished her AKC STAR puppy class with Quista.
Here is Nijaa with her STAR graduation cap. She is such a cutie! Quista’s photo is on the home page.
And Ti-Ohni is now Cooper and he lives up in New England. He lives with a great family with some young teens that will keep him busy. His new mom is a dog trainer and dog behaviorist, so he will be kept on the straight as narrow as he grows and develops, too. He graduated from his STAR puppy class the same week his sisters did, as well. So, I will close out this page and hope you have enjoyed the trip. You can follow Quista’s development on the regular photo page. The next thing up will be the STAR medallion from her STAR puppy class. Husky Hugs from the Coop X Kayta litter!
