Devon & Freddie's Pups - 5 Weeks Old

Did You Know? Life at Five Weeks Old

Five weeks old and this litter is absolutely full of it! The whelping room has become the loudest, most chaotic, most joyful place in the house. These puppies are no longer newborns in any sense of the word, they are bold, bouncy, mischievous little Cockapoos with a lot to say for themselves.

Here is what is happening this week.

Did you know… they are starting to eat solid food properly?

By five weeks, solid food is becoming a much bigger part of the daily routine. I offer softened puppy food several times a day alongside Devon's milk, and the enthusiasm at mealtimes is something to behold. There is a lot of scrambling, a lot of mess, and very little left in the bowl. Devon is grateful for the help.

Did you know… play is now the most important part of their day?

Play at five weeks is full on. The pups are wrestling, chasing, ambushing each other from behind, and testing every boundary they can find. Through all of this chaos, they are learning some of the most important lessons of their lives, how hard is too hard when biting, when to back off, and how to read what another dog is telling them. It is exhausting to watch and impossible not to smile at.

Did you know… they are becoming brave little explorers?

The world beyond the whelping box is becoming increasingly interesting. At five weeks I begin allowing the puppies to explore a wider, safe space, new surfaces, new smells, new sounds. For a Cockapoo, whose curious and adventurous nature is hardwired into the breed, this is the beginning of a lifelong love of investigation. Every new experience at this age builds confidence that lasts forever.

Did you know… their hearing is now fully developed?

What arrived as a new and startling sensation in week three has now settled into something the puppies are confidently navigating. They respond to being called, react to familiar voices, and are becoming very good at locating exactly where the food sounds are coming from. Devon's voice in particular still has a very powerful effect.

Did you know… human socialisation is more important than ever?

We are still firmly inside the primary socialisation window, and I make sure the puppies are meeting a variety of people this week, different voices, different faces, different handling styles. The more positive human contact a Cockapoo puppy receives at this age, the more confident and well adjusted the adult dog will be. I am still getting an enormous number of puppy kisses, which I consider an important part of the process.

Did you know… they are starting to understand simple boundaries?

Five week old puppies begin to show the very first signs of understanding cause and effect. A firm, calm "no" is starting to mean something. Interactions with Devon are also teaching them a huge amount, she will calmly correct behaviour she doesn't like, and the puppies are learning to respect that. Devon is not just a mother, she is their first teacher.

Did you know… grooming is beginning?

Five weeks is when I introduce the puppies to gentle brushing for the first time. For a Cockapoo, whose coat will require regular grooming throughout their life, getting comfortable with being handled and brushed from an early age makes a huge difference. Most of them are suspicious of the brush for approximately three seconds before deciding it is actually quite nice.

Did you know… they are sleeping in a much more relaxed way?

Gone are the constant tight puppy piles of the early weeks. By five weeks, puppies are confident enough to sleep spread out, sometimes a little distance from their littermates. They are still comforted by closeness, but the desperate need for shared warmth has eased as their ability to regulate their own temperature continues to improve.

Did you know… their new families have already fallen head over heels?

By five weeks, the families waiting for these puppies have now had the chance to meet them in person and what a meeting it was. Seeing the moment a puppy and their new family connect for the first time is one of my absolute favourite parts of what I do. The countdown to going home is very much on, and I know these puppies are going to be so incredibly loved.

Five weeks in, and the best is absolutely still to come. Devon continues to be the most brilliant, devoted mother, and this litter continues to surprise and delight me every single day.

ALL PUPS HAVE NEW HOMES