Our very first Queen City Farm litter has officially survived their first week on the outside, and what a week it has been. Nine healthy puppies, one incredible mama, and more middle-of-the-night weight checks than we can count. Here is a look at everything that happened during week one with the Thanksgiving Feast litter.
What Happens in Week One
The first week of a puppy's life is all about survival, growth, and laying the groundwork for healthy development. Puppies are born deaf, blind, and completely dependent on their mother for warmth, food, and stimulation. Their world is small — just the whelping box, their littermates, and mama — but there is still a lot we can do as breeders to give them the best possible start.
Daily Weights
Every puppy is weighed at least once daily during the first week. Weight gain is one of the most reliable indicators that puppies are nursing effectively and thriving. We track each puppy's weight on a chart so we can spot any trends — a puppy that stalls or loses weight gets extra attention and supplemental feeding if needed.
Healthy newborn Aussie puppies should gain weight steadily, roughly doubling their birth weight by the end of the first week. All nine of our Thanksgiving puppies hit or exceeded that milestone.
Tail Docks and Dewclaw Removal
At three days old, the puppies had their tails docked and front dewclaws removed by our veterinarian. This is standard practice for Australian Shepherds and is done at an age when the procedure is quick and recovery is fast. The puppies were back to nursing within minutes, and mama kept a close eye on everyone as they settled back in.
Nail Trims
Even at just a few days old, those tiny puppy nails are sharp. We trim nails in the first week to protect mama during nursing — sharp nails can scratch and irritate her, which can make her reluctant to nurse. A quick trim with small clippers keeps everyone comfortable.
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)
Starting at day 3 and continuing through day 16, every puppy goes through our ENS protocol daily. Developed from research by Dr. Carmen Battaglia, ENS involves five brief handling exercises:
- Tactile stimulation (tickling between the toes with a cotton swab)
- Head held erect
- Head pointed down
- Supine position (on their back)
- Thermal stimulation (feet on a cool damp cloth)
Each exercise lasts just 3 to 5 seconds. The research shows that these brief, mild stressors during the critical neonatal period improve cardiovascular performance, strengthen adrenal function, and build greater tolerance to stress later in life. Puppies that go through ENS tend to be more resilient, more exploratory, and better problem solvers as adults.
Early Scent Imprinting (ESI)
Alongside ENS, we introduce Early Scent Imprinting starting in the first week. Each day, puppies are briefly exposed to a novel scent — things like lavender, cedar, anise, clove, and other natural scents. Even though their eyes and ears are closed, their sense of smell is functional from birth.
ESI helps build neural pathways and has been shown to enhance scent discrimination ability later in life. For a breed as versatile as the Australian Shepherd, this early enrichment supports everything from nosework to general environmental confidence.
Growing Fast
By the end of week one, the transformation is already visible. Puppies that fit in the palm of your hand at birth are filling out, their coats are getting plush, and you can start to see hints of their individual color patterns becoming more defined. They spend most of their time sleeping and eating, which is exactly what they should be doing. Mama is a rock star — attentive, calm, and instinctive in her care.
This litter is a co-breed with Moon Dog Kennels, and we are grateful for the partnership and shared commitment to raising these puppies with the highest standard of care.
Meet the Puppies: Week One Portraits
Here is each member of the Thanksgiving Feast litter at one week old.
Cranberry
Cranberry came into the world with confidence and has not slowed down since. She was one of the first to consistently gain weight and has been a strong nurser from day one.
Muffin
Muffin is a chunky, content puppy who spends her time eating and sleeping like a pro. She has a calm energy about her even this early.
Cobbler
Cobbler is already showing a bold personality. He roots around the whelping box with purpose and is never far from the warmest spot.
Yam
Yam is a quiet, steady presence in the litter. He gains weight consistently and handles his ENS exercises without fuss.
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Pie has already earned a reputation for being vocal when she wants something — usually more milk. She is thriving and on track.
Casserole
Casserole is a strong, stocky puppy with beautiful markings that are already starting to show. She handles every new experience with ease.
Maple
Maple is the firecracker of the litter. Even at one week old, she has a boldness that makes us think she is going to be something special.
Butterball
Butterball lives up to his name — round, content, and easygoing. He is the puppy that is always sleeping in the most relaxed position imaginable.
Stuffing
Stuffing rounds out the litter with a sweet, gentle disposition. She nurses well, gains steadily, and takes everything in stride.
What Comes Next
Week two brings more ENS, more ESI, continued weight monitoring, and the beginning of the puppies' eyes and ears starting to open. We will also begin introducing gentle background sounds and continue daily handling to build their comfort with human touch.
Stay tuned for the next update. These nine tiny potatoes are growing fast, and the best is yet to come.
