From Whelp to Wean: Brave Explorers

The Whelping Box Update

By Week 6, the Toybox Trio are no longer just curious — they’re confident little explorers. Their play is purposeful, their voices louder, and their personalities are shining through with delightful clarity. The nursery has officially become a launchpad, and the second Playpen in the living area is now a bustling hub of activity.

This week is all about bravery and budding independence. Puppies are venturing further, tackling new textures and obstacles with gusto, and showing off their problem‑solving skills. Wrestling sessions are more coordinated, toy games more inventive, and their social play now includes clear signals of boundaries and preferences. Think of it as primary school for puppies — adventurous, cheeky, and full of learning moments.

Milestone Moments

• Mobility: Running, climbing, and even hopping over low barriers. Balance and stamina are improving daily.

• Teeth: Fully erupted milk teeth make chewing and tugging irresistible.

• Play: Wrestling, chasing, and tug games are more complex, with pups showing strategy and persistence.

• Awareness: Puppies recognise familiar people and voices, responding eagerly with tail wags and excited approaches.

• Elimination: Toilet training instincts strengthen, with pups consistently moving to designated areas.

Future Parents

Week 6 is when puppies become brave explorers. They’re playful, curious, and brimming with personality, ready for more structured socialisation and early training cues. Families can expect pups at this stage to be interactive, resilient, and eager to learn.

This week is also about confidence, cognition, and connection. Puppies begin solving puzzles, engaging in richer social play, and responding to recall and name cues. With structured enrichment, gentle handling, and steady emotional support, they grow into confident learners and future companions who are adaptable, thoughtful, and ready to take on the world — one adventurous step at a time.

Playschool Puppy Curriculum

The curriculum expands this week to include more structured challenges and socialisation opportunities:

• Environment: Introduction of puzzles, wobble boards, tunnels, and gentle uneven terrain to build problem‑solving and balance.

• Textures: Rotate grass, carpet, gravel, and rubber mats for sensory variety.

• Solo play: 5 minute sessions to build independence and confidence.

• Crate conditioning: Longer naps with the door closed, teaching comfort and routine.

• Name association: Reinforced during play, feeding, and recall games.

• Recall games: More structured, with food rewards and gentle repetition.

• Handling exercises: Gentle brushing, paw handling, and collar practice continue.

• Sound desensitisation: Exposure to household sounds, outdoor noises, and mild novelty (vacuum, rattles and hair dryer).

Temperament tracking now focuses on curiosity, resilience, and emerging social roles — leaders, followers, and peacekeepers.

Health & Care

Weekly weigh‑ins continue, and all pups are thriving with strong, steady gains. I monitor teeth, gums, eyes, and overall body condition to ensure everyone is developing beautifully.

Poppet is now spending much more time outside the box, stepping in mainly for nursing and comfort. Her nutrition, rest, and fitness remain priorities, and daily walks help her balance motherhood with recovery.

I continue to observe:

• Confidence in new environments — who explores first and who prefers to assess.

• Recovery after novelty or mild stress — how quickly each pup settles after surprises.

• Toy and texture preferences — early hints at comfort and play style.

• Crate comfort levels — voluntary entry and short naps with the door closed.

These notes guide enrichment activities and help me match puppies with homes that suit their emerging temperaments.

From Milk to Mush

Weaning is well underway, though the Toybox Trio are approaching it with their own unique flair. They have moments of real gusto, happily lapping and chewing their soft food — especially if the meal is presented as a game. Hand‑feeding is a hit, and scattering kibble across the floor turns mealtime into a lively treasure hunt. Teddy and Jemima dive straight into “go fetch the kibble,” snuffling around with impressive determination.

Winnie, on the other hand, is taking a more… artistic approach. She’ll follow the scattered food, take a polite little bite, then spit it out as if to say, “Hmm, interesting concept, but I’ll stick with the original.” She’s transitioning to solids more slowly than her siblings, but she’s certainly not missing out — her strategy earns her first dibs on mum when it’s nursing time.

Feeding sessions are messy, playful, and full of learning — exactly what Week 6 should look like.