Pleasant Meadows

It is clear they have inherited the very best of both parents. We are seeing Fearne’s incredibly sweet, happy temperament shining through in their social interactions—they just want to love and be loved. This is beautifully balanced by Arlo’s stable mind; they aren't easily rattled, and they've already displayed those hilariously goofy mannerisms that Arlo is known for. Watching them navigate their new world with such a grounded yet playful attitude is a testament to the strength of their breeding.

The "Wobble-to-Walk" Evolution: Physically, we are witnessing a massive leap in coordination and motor skills. Just a week ago, they were primarily scooting or taking a few shaky steps before tumbling over. Now, they are gaining "four-wheel drive." You can see them actually navigating—choosing a destination across the pen and making it there with purpose. Their tails, which used to just be little stubs, are now expressive communication tools, wagging furiously when they see a human face or a sibling approaching for a wrestle. Their muscular development is keeping pace with their curiosity, allowing them to climb over small obstacles and explore every inch of their environment with growing stability.

Cognitive Awakening & Bite Inhibition: This is the week where "play" becomes purposeful and complex. They aren't just bumping into each other anymore; they are practicing their first play-bows and starting to carry toys around with pride. Most importantly, they are beginning the critical lesson of bite inhibition.

With those tiny, sharp teeth erupting, they are learning "mouth manners" through their siblings. This social feedback loop is vital for their psychological growth—when one pup yelps because a sibling nipped too hard, the game stops, and they learn that a soft mouth keeps the fun going. It is the very foundation of the stable minds we strive for, and seeing them navigate these social nuances at just four weeks is incredible.

The Great Indoors: Desensitization & Socializing: Moving into the living room isn't just about a change of scenery; it’s a goldmine for "real world" education. The puppies are now immersed in the daily symphony of a busy household, giving them a head start on desensitization to the sounds and sights they will encounter for the rest of their lives.
 

• Household Sounds: They are already hearing the hum of the vacuum, the clatter of the dishwasher, the front door opening and closing, and the constant chatter of the television and general family life.

• Canine Socializing: This location allows for safe, supervised social exposure to our other dogs. This is a critical window for them to learn the "language" of being a canine from stable adult role models.

• Human Interaction: Being in the center of the home means they get constant "drive-by" snuggles and observation, ensuring they are thoroughly socialized to human presence.
   

Fearne’s Gentle Guidance & The "Safe Anchor" Effect: It’s also beautiful to watch Fearne’s role shift. She is moving from being a 24/7 milk station to being a teacher and a mentor. Her calm presence in the living room environment serves as a "safety anchor" for the litter. Because she remains relaxed and unbothered by the household hustle, the puppies look to her for cues. When they hear a new sound, like the dishwasher or a door slamming, they check her reaction; seeing her stay calm allows their nervous systems to regulate almost instantly. She is showing them exactly how to be a confident dog in a human world.

Potty Training 101 & Working with Natural Instincts: We have set up a specialized "small start" pen to lean into their natural biological instincts. At this age, puppies naturally want to move away from where they eat, sleep, and play to do their business. By keeping the pen small in the beginning, we make that "gap" between their bed and the bathroom very easy to navigate. It sets them up for success rather than frustration.
 

• The Green Zone: Half of their pen is the designated "potty side," lined with a green washable potty pad.

• Early Success: We are so impressed to see that they are already starting to pee on the potty pad side! They are already making the connection that "green equals bathroom," which is a huge win for four-week-olds.

• The Plan: This is the very start of their potty training until they are old enough and vaccinated enough to start going outside. As they continue to catch on and their coordination improves, we will expand their pen space over the next few days to a week.

Developmental Milestones & New Discoveries: At four weeks old, the "splendor of the age" is in full swing. Their eyes are bright and focused, their hearing is sharp, and they are officially finding their "big dog" voices with the most adorable little barks and growls during play.

Every day brings a new discovery. The crinkle of a plastic bag, the feeling of a different floor texture, or the first time they see their reflection in a water bowl—it’s all magic. We are making sure to rotate a few safe "discovery objects" in their pen—things like different textured balls or soft crinkle toys—to keep those little brains firing and building new neural pathways.

With those tiny, sharp teeth finally erupting, we are starting a big transition this week: The Introduction to Meat! While Fearne is doing a heroic job and being an incredible mother, she is currently nursing seven very hungry, growing babies. Even though she is being heavily supplemented with the best nutrition possible, the sheer demand of seven pups means she needs our help. Based on their size alone, we will be stepping in to help her feed her 7 hungry babes as they continue to grow. Introducing high-quality meat will give the puppies the extra protein and nutrients they need to thrive while giving Fearne a much-needed hand with the "heavy lifting."

These puppies are truly exceptional. Watching their individual personalities bloom in the middle of our living room is the highlight of our day, and we feel so lucky to be part of their journey. We can't wait to see what week five brings as they become even more mobile and adventurous!