Week #2 - Summer 2023 Litter
Updated: Jul 6
Weekly Litter Update - June 22, 2023
It's amazing to see how the puppies are growing and changing. They're now able to stand, although they may wobble a bit as they try to move around. Their eyes have opened, and they're starting to make little squeaky sounds. Their mom is still taking great care of them, snuggling with them and mothering them as only she can. We absolutely adore Oakley and her precious little ones!
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Important Dates
June 8, 2023 - Litter Birth Date
July 15, 2023 - Selection Day
July 20, 2023 - First Vet Visit
August 5, 2023 - Pickup/Delivery
In the next few weeks, we will share additional details about selection day and how the process works for those who are on the waitlist.
Our puppies will receive a microchip implant during their first vet visit. Please let us know if you prefer that we not microchip your puppy.
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Puppy Weight Tracker
During the first two weeks we weigh the puppies twice a day. After that we transition to a weekly weigh in. In the chart below we only display the average of the two weights for that day. Because the puppies are so small, weights are taken in ounces.
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Early Scent Introduction (ESI)
What is ESI?
Early Scent Introduction (ESI) is a program that helps puppies by introducing them to different scents at an early age. Introducing certain scents this early shows that puppies have boosted awareness and confidence. Like ENS, ESI is conducted from days 3-16 and is very beneficial for their development.
We expose the puppies to a different scent each day during this program. As we allow the puppy to smell the item for that day, we also observe and note their reaction on our neonatal care charts. If a puppy shows interest in the scent, we mark the reaction as positive (i.e., moving the nose toward the scent). A negative reaction is recorded when the puppies try to move away from the scent. A neutral response is recorded when the puppy is not indicating a preference either way.
What are the benefits?
Studies have shown that stimulating a puppy's scent ability early on dramatically increases its scent ability later in life. In fact, most therapy and service dog training requires that a dog have a specific scent ability, and ESI is critical to jumpstarting and increasing this ability.
By doing this training and recording their reactions, we are helping our puppies be better prepared for their forever homes and continued training and development.
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Puppy Health and Nutrition
If your puppy comes in contact with poison, a timely trip to the vet can be the difference between life and death. It is essential to be aware of common household toxins and put preventative measures in place to avoid the likelihood that your puppy will come in contact with them. Some common toxins to be aware of are listed below but note this list isn't comprehensive, and we encourage you to evaluate and inspect your environment to see if there are toxins not listed here that are present around your puppy.
Batteries. Access to batteries are seemingly everywhere. Batteries that are ingested can cause obstructions, burns, or poisoning. Some items in the house that are often overlooked, but can provide access to batteries, are things like musical greeting cards or button-style batteries that are often found in remotes or small toys and are particularly dangerous.
Flea and Tick Products. At Oak and Magnolia, we recommend using flea and tick products, especially if you live in a high-risk area. However, overuse of these products can be dangerous. Only use products intended for dogs, and be careful to use the proper dosage for their size.
Medications. Never give human medications (e.g., acetaminophen, phenylephrine, ibuprofen, sleeping aids, diabetes drugs, etc.) to your puppy.
Rodent Poison. Rodenticides are the most common and most lethal pet hazard. If you suspect your pet has consumed any type of rodenticide, seek medical attention immediately.
Toxic Food. Many human foods are toxic to dogs. It's important to know what these foods are and to ensure your puppy doesn't have access to them. Even small doses of these foods can lead to serious illness.
Toxic Plants. Some common plants and flowers are dangerous to animals. These include autumn crocus, azaleas, cyclamen, daffodils, dieffenbachia, dracaena, hyacinths, kalachoe, lilies, lily of the valley, oleander, philodendron, sago palm, and tulips.
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Oak and Magnolia Family
We enjoy receiving updates about our past litters, as every puppy is considered a part of our family. Seeing their progress and what they're up to is always exciting. Some of you have been following along with us from the very beginning, and we wanted to share with you some of the pictures so you can see how much they've changed and grown!
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Available Puppies
If you've been considering getting on the list for one of these adorable puppies, we only have a few spots left for this year, so don't wait!
