We have been in touch with Kayla’s former owner who turned her into the shelter at six weeks, after he realized that he could not find her the special home that she needs.  His care and concern for her well-being was evident - the story he shared is a powerful reminder that many dogs come into rescue through no fault of their own, nor due to a lack of compassion or caring on the part of the owner. 

Kayla's litter was unplanned.  Her momma was confined while she was in heat to avoid a pregnancy.  She managed to get with their male Corgi and became pregnant. The natural instinct to mate can be a powerful one and the usual means of confining a dog may not be enough to keep them safe at such a time.  Kayla's mother weaned her litter at the age of 3 1/2 weeks of age.  Kayla was one girl in a litter of 4 females and 1 male.  Her owner realized the need to immediately begin feeding the puppies since momma was no longer providing for them.  Thankfully they were of the age where they transitioned to eating on their own and appear to have thrived.

Dogs usually begin to wean their pups at approximately 4-5 weeks of age.  At this time the puppies need to have supplemental feedings provided to them while they transition to eating on their own.  Over the course of the next few weeks they will become completely weaned.  Even though they are receiving less milk from their mother at this early age in the natural weaning process there is a crucial need to remain with the mother and littermates to be well socialized with other dogs.  This naturally leads them onto the right path for being well socialized with people.  Puppies go through a lot of development while with their littermates, both behaviorally and physically.  Animal behaviorists now believe that ideally puppies should remain with their mother and littermates for socialization until 10-12 weeks of age.  It was until just recently - and is still commonly practiced - to have puppies go to their new families at the age of 6-8 weeks when weaning is complete. 

It is especially important for such puppies to have every opportunity to be well socialized to new people, places, and other friendly animals.  You will essentially have to take on the role of mothering your puppy to help them reach their full potential.  A good rule of thumb that indicates how critical socializing is - a puppy should have been introduced to 100, yes hundred, new people and a variety of new situations (walking on grass, gravel, steps, floor grates, wood flooring, linoleum, sand, riding in cars, meeting children, babies, senior adults, active adults, skate boarders, bikers, dogs, cats, umbrellas - well, you get the picture!) by the age of 4 months.  It sounds like a daunting task but doesn't have to be.  Set your puppy up to succeed and meet and greet -who can resist the charms of a puppy!  Go to the park and let the children on the playground ooh and ahhh over puppy.  Take puppy to Aunt Matilda's birthday barbecue and have all the relations meet and greet puppy in a safe environment.  

Puppies learn from their mother and littermates how to interact and what behavior is appropriate.  A mother will instinctively chastise her puppies if they treat her too roughly (walking away from them, nudging them away from her, or physically correcting them) and reward them for appropriate behavior (nuzzles and licks and enticing them to play) and puppies teach each other all the subtle nuances of appropriate dog to dog relationships.  All of this directly applies to the relationships dog have with people.

Kayla's diagnosis of Microphthalmia makes socializing even more critical for her.  She has never had sight and relies completely on her other senses of smell, taste, touch, and hearing to navigate and understand her world.  She is doing famously and we envision great things for her.  We are meeting with a behavior consultant for helpful guidance on providing Kayla with every opportunity to succeed.  She will soon be participating in puppy socializing classes once she has received her next round of puppy vaccinations. Until she is fully vaccinated and it is safe to meet other dogs we are taking great care to socialize her but not put her at risk.  So, she is carried to the pet store where everyone wants to pet her, she meets a gaggle of boys playing at one of the volunteer's homes, she visits our Corgi vets so she can get tasty treats and belly rubs and smooches from all the staff, she meets the volunteer's dogs who we know are up to date on vaccinations and eager to play with a puppy, she has oodles of toys to stimulate her interest, we take her to meet the school bus at the corner and introduce her to a very placid kitty, she plays on carpet, and hardwood floor, and cushions, and bath towels and patios, and backyards.... life is rich and varied and stimulating for little Kayla!