Six weeks old and learning fast

Six weeks is where the puppies really start showing how much they are taking in. Their brains seem to switch into overdrive and you can almost see them thinking their way through new situations. Everything becomes a learning opportunity.

This week we start increasing sound exposure in a more deliberate way. Everyday noises like vacuums, traffic, doors, voices, and background music become part of their environment. Nothing is cranked up or forced. The sounds are introduced at a level where the puppies notice them but do not feel the need to react. Over time, those sounds become normal.

They are also spending more time interacting with different people. Calm visitors, different voices, different ways of moving. The goal is not to overwhelm them with attention, but to make human interaction feel easy and predictable. Puppies learn very quickly at this age, and positive, low pressure experiences go a long way.

Play continues to ramp up. Their play styles are becoming more obvious now. Some are thinkers, some are wrestlers, some are toy obsessed, and some would rather follow people around than engage with anything else. These differences are important. They help guide future placement decisions and training recommendations.

We also begin introducing very short, informal training moments. Nothing structured. Just encouraging eye contact, following a lure, or responding to their name. These tiny sessions are kept light and fun, and always end on a positive note.

Maya still plays an important role at this stage. She is not constantly in with them anymore, but she checks in often and steps in when boundaries need reinforcing. The puppies learn a lot from her at this age, especially about social behaviour and communication.

Six weeks is busy. It is noisy, messy, and full on. But it is also one of the most rewarding stages. The foundations laid in the earlier weeks are really starting to show, and the puppies are turning into confident, curious little dogs.