[Mardelin]

Here's some basic information on Newborn Pup Normal Physciologic Values.

Weight Gain - Twofold increease per 8-10 days. Your pups are right on.

Body Temperature - Weeks 1-2: 94-99 degrees Fahrenheit. Weeks 3-4; 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water requirement 2-3 ounces per pound per day, turnover about two times that of adult.

Caloric requirement 60-100kcal per pd per day.

Respiratory rates 15-35 per minute

Heart Rate - Approx 220 per minute

Sucking Reflex Usually strong at birth. Weak in physically immature, abnormal or chilled puppies.

Shivering Reflex - Developes 6-8 days after birth.

Muscle Tone - Firm; puppies stand upright at 3 weeks with normal tone and postural reflexes; walking and running by four weeks.

Eyes open - 10-16 days (however, I've had a pup that was a week premature that did open it's eyes until day 21).

Visual perception - Absent less than three weeks; present at four weeks.

Hyperkinesia (activated slee) Normal one-three weeks; disappears after four weeks; body twitching.

Weaning, I usually allow my mom's call the shots, but attempt giving them gerber's rice cereal with goats milk and Karo syrup at around 4 weeks....It's messy...but, mom will clean them and the mess up after.

Potty training.....if you have a good mom.....once they've been given their first puppy shots; between 8 and 9 weeks and are allowed on the ground....your mom will teach them. However, I do have potty pads in their whelping area....so, that when they are able to get out of the whelping bed on their own....it is available to them. Don't be surprised that your mom continues to diaper them until 8 or 9 weeks. I have some moms that continue until they are older.