Sheepadoodle puppies are known for their irresistible cuteness and charming personalities. If you’re considering bringing one into your home, it’s important to understand their developmental milestones. We have a new litter ready to go February 2024, Check out our list of available puppies. Weeks 6-8 is a particularly exciting time in their journey from tiny fluffballs to loving companions.
Physical Growth
At 6-8 weeks, Sheepadoodle puppies are rapidly growing. Their bodies are becoming more proportional, and they are starting to resemble mini versions of the majestic Sheepadoodle breed they’ll grow into. You’ll notice a more defined body structure, with their legs and body becoming more coordinated.
One of the most exciting physical changes is their fur. Sheepadoodles have a distinctive coat that’s a mix of the curly Poodle and the soft, wavy Old English Sheepdog. By week 5, their coat is beginning to take shape, and it’s a good time to start gentle grooming routines to get them used to being brushed. By week 8, they will be fluff balls. It will be interesting to see what type of fur they’ll get: the curls from the poodle or the straight hair from the Old English Sheepdog.
Social Development
This is a video of them going to the vet at Week 6.5 to get their initial vaccinations and deworming.
Socialization is a crucial aspect of a Sheepadoodle’s development. At Week 5, at Sheepadoodle Dynasty, we start introducing them to different sights, sounds, and experiences. Gradually exposing them to new environments, people, and other pets to help ensure they grow up to be well-adjusted and confident adults. They are well-socialized with humans and other animals up until they go home at Week 8.
Sheepadoodle puppies are naturally friendly and affectionate, and by week 6, they are likely to be more interactive and playful. We often engage in gentle playtime and basic training exercises. Positive reinforcement techniques can help them learn basic commands and behaviors. We also start on potty training and crate training to ensure that transition to their new homes will be smooth and easy.
Weaning and Diet
Around the 6-week mark, Sheepadoodle puppies start transitioning from mother’s milk to solid food. While they still nurse from their mother, they’ll also begin to explore puppy food. We started first introducing them to soft and blended kibbles with water and their milk powder to now only soaking their kibbles overnight for softness. We ensure that they are getting the right nutrition during this critical stage of growth by monitoring every single puppy for development and tracking their weight and activities.
Week 6 is a pivotal time in the development of Sheepadoodle puppies. Their physical growth, socialization, diet, and health are all carefully monitored by experienced care takers at Sheepadoodle Dynasty. By being proactive in these areas, we can help to ensure that when you get your Sheepadoodle puppy at 8 weeks, they will continue to grow up to be a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted companion
Potty Training and Crate Training
At Sheepadoodle Dynasty, we start potty training at Week 5! The earlier the better. They are taught to use the designated bathroom area in the backyard. They learn to not soil their living area and to control their needs. By the time they go home at Week 8, the transition will be fast and easy. It may only take a few days for the sheepadoodle puppies to get adjusted to their new homes and learn to use the bathroom where they’re being told. With crate training, we start at Week 7. It only takes a few days for them to know that their crate is a place to sleep and to relax. They may whine and cry in the beginning, but after a few days, they learn to adjust and sleep in the crate. This is a great way to help with transitioning them to their new homes.
This is a video of them getting funneled out of their crates and heading over to the bathroom area. At this age, they can listen to directions and follow you around, hence the name “they follow you around like lost puppies ;)”