Merry, Merry

The puppies are loving having the run of the family room for playtime! Exploring, running, and discovering their new toys.

Like any animal (or person) developing healthy attachment, they explore from the safe base of the people they trust. That means they come check in in a lap or some kisses and ear scratches before going out exploring again.

If you have a reservation, stay tuned for an email from us soon. If you are considering a puppy and have any questions, get in touch with us!

Christmas Adoption Kits

We know that there’s nothing more exciting than a new puppy on Christmas morning. But for the puppy, all the packages and wrapping and extra folks coming and going can be a pretty overwhelming transition. If that’s when puppies are ready for adoption there’s probably no lasting harm in starting with all the hullabaloo and hubbub, but when the chips fall so the calendar dates don’t line up for Christmas morning, we are actually a little relieved for the puppies’ sakes.

The transition away from their litter and mom into a new home is a big one for a puppy, full of new sensory information to take in. The new sounds, sights, and smells, and the lack of their comforting pile of litter mates causes some stress, even in the most placid of scenarios.

Puppies are ready to go to their new homes around 8 weeks of age. Ours will be 6 weeks at Christmas. If you are looking for a puppy as a Christmas surprise, we have adoption gift boxes available to wrap up and put under the tree for Christmas morning. The kit includes an adoption certificate, collar, dog toy, photo, and some treats. You can add to the fun by purchasing the recommended supplies from our list of suggestions to prepare for your puppy. If you have reserved a puppy, you are on our mailing list, but if you are interested in receiving our informational emails about preparing for and training your puppy, let us know.

They are still very little, but the puppies are constantly licking and tasting, learning about their ever-expanding world.

Eyes Open!

Savvy’s puppies will be 3 weeks old on Tuesday. Their eyes have been gradually opening this week. Now the changes begin to happen quickly. They are trying out their legs, walking and toppling. Their ears have opened so now they are begining to react to sounds.

Their ears will start to catch up in size and they will begin to play with each other. Already, they are starting to lick rather than just root around for their mama, testing out their world, much like a baby putting everything in their mouth. And now they will be easier to photograph.

Meanwhile, Miles (dad) does not know he is a Father now, and is every bit the happy-go-lucky pup who plays with sticks, chases falling leaves, and finds warm sunny spots for taking naps.

In our world, everyone has final exams and papers and projects this week, and once we get past that, we will have time for more cute puppy pictures!

Fat Little Sweeties

Look at those sweet pawprints! You can see the pigments coming in starting in the foot pads.

This may not be her most flattering angle, but at 5 days old sleepy and fat is exactly where little Pavlova is supposed to be. (By the way, have you seen the animated children’s show Bluey? This litter is named after a Bluey theme.)

Its crazy how much these puppies are going to change in the next two weeks. Right now sleep, eat, grow is the only agenda. Sleep, eat, grow, be adorable.

Counting our 11 little blessings over here at Red River Retrievers! Contact us if you have questions or would like to reserve one!

Welcome to the World, Babies!

We are excited to announce the arrival of Savvy and Miles’ puppies! ELEVEN puppies were born between 5 pm and midnight last night. All appear strong and healthy, and Savvy is doing well. With a litter that large, we will be supplementing with bottle feedings, so the puppies will be handled and bond with humans even more than usual, if that is possible!

The litter consisted of 4 males and 7 females. All yellow, of course. Their black pigments will come in in a few weeks. For now everyone is resting and eating.

If you have a deposit, please check in and confirm that you are commiting to this litter. If you have questions or would like to make a reservation, please contact us. More photos soon!

Eyes Open!

Ohmygoodnesstheyaresocute!

Eyes have finally opened in Naia’s litter! This the shift from sleeping babies that hardly resemble real puppies, to tiny little babies that totter around discovering their world at 3 weeks old

They mostly lick to explore the world at this point. Lots of kisses and snuggles.

They started trying out their toys! Even the tiniest little rope bone looks big next to them right now. But they will grow into their new toys.

Naia’s Litter: 2 weeks

At this age, the puppies have been eating and sleeping and… you know the rest. The biggest things going on developmentally is physical. They need warmth, mom, and food. The licking puppies get from their mother is vital. It helps her bond with them and know them by their scent. They are assisted in their digestive functions by the stimulation, and it helps their circulation.

Up until the last few days, they haven’t changed a lot, other than increasing in size. But now their eyes are beginning to open. In a few days they will be wide open (enough to photograph). We are heading into a stage a dramatic developmental changes. So far their legs have been short and splay to the sides to help them scoot. Soon after eyes open, their ears will open and grow quickly as well, and their legs will start to lengthen. They will be tottering around in a week or so.

As little interaction as a puppy this age offers, holding and petting is still high on our list of favorites.