How has a week gone by already?! Our nine beautiful puppies from Ali × Aubrey Thanksgiving Litter have had a busy and important start to life, and we are so excited to share their progress with you!

Week 1 Development + Care

To give our puppies the very best foundation, we focus on early handling, health checks, and proactive development.

Here’s what their first week included:

• 📈 Twice-daily weights to ensure healthy gains
• ✂️ Tails and dewclaws removed on Day 2
• ✨ Nail trims on Day 3
• 🧠 ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) — Days 5–16
• 👃 ESI (Early Scent Introduction) — Days 5–16
• 💕 Daily cuddles + human handling

Each of these experiences supports confidence, stress resilience, and stable development as they grow.

‍To learn more about how we raise our puppies, click here!

Growing Fast!

It’s already amazing how much they’ve changed — even though part of me wishes they’d stay tiny potatoes forever! 🥔💛

I can’t wait for:

• Eyes opening 👀
• Wobbly walking 🚶‍♂️
• Puppy personalities emerging 😍

And even though they’re our Thanksgiving litter… we had to take their week one photos by the Christmas tree 🎄✨
Holiday magic + adorable puppies = irresistible!

Week 1 Individual Photos

Cranberry

Muffin

Cobbler

Yam

Pumpkin Pie

Casserole

‍

Maple

Butterball

Stuffing

Join the Waitlist

We still have availability for approved homes for this litter!
If you’re looking for a well-bred, well-raised Australian Shepherd puppy…

👉 Apply Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlZwF48mtDni16-Cr_nlxl_93EZ7tRNWq-5gqAA6BDCVWBWA/viewform

—

Thank you for following along with these sweet babies.
We can’t wait to share Week 2 with you — eyes open and faces even cuter! 😍👀

When do puppies open their eyes?
Usually between 10–14 days old — so very soon for these babies!

Why do you remove tails and dewclaws?
Australian Shepherds are traditionally a natural bobtail breed, meaning some puppies are born with little to no tail at all. Because we do not yet know which puppies will be ideal for conformation or performance, we dock tails early so every puppy has the opportunity to participate in those venues later.

Docking also aligns with breed standards and the Aussie’s history as a livestock-working dog, where a shorter tail reduces the risk of injury in active environments.

We perform the procedure very early, with careful care and handling for the puppies and their long-term wellbeing.

What are ENS and ESI?
Early Neurological Stimulation and Early Scent Introduction support brain development, confidence, stress resilience, and scenting ability.

How do you ensure puppies are gaining well?
We monitor twice-daily weights during the first week to confirm healthy growth and milk intake.

Can we visit the puppies yet?
Not quite — we protect newborn immune systems. Visits begin around 4–5 weeks old for approved homes on our waitlist.

How do I reserve a puppy?
Apply for approval and join the waitlist here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlZwF48mtDni16-Cr_nlxl_93EZ7tRNWq-5gqAA6BDCVWBWA/viewform?pli=1

‍