Today, Grizz is 36 days old. Grizz was very active in the outside puppy pen. He was running, jumping and investigating his future packmates(Malik and Shadow) through the fence. Staff has been noting an increase in his dominant behavior. Grizz frequently growls at both his littermates and handlers. He was very relaxed during the 3:00 pm program. Providing stimulus such as beaver tails, deer legs, toys, etc. helped to calm the pups during programming. He has also been howling more frequently.
Grizz is 37 days old today. When pups were taken out to pup pen Grizz explored a den dug previously by Shadow and Malik. When the pups were brought back into the wolf lab Grizz became very distressed and searched for a way out of the pen. Grizz was exhibiting stressful behavior during programs such as whining and pacing. He didn't appear comfortable during the morning programs at all, but was fine during the 3:00 pm program.
Grizz is 38 days old today. Grizz was very anxious during pup programs. He was pacing, panting and whining throughout programs and had to be pulled early. Grizz still seems to prefer bottle feeding over the weaning formula, but with persistence from staff he does eat some of the weaning mix. Staff took the pups to their outside puppy pen following the 1:00 pm program. Grizz was very explorative and showed heightened interest in Malik and Shadow's den which they had dug several weeks ago. Grizz has been less assertive when it comes to dominance. He often doesn't react at all when Nubee is biting and chewing on him. Staff is becoming more vigilant in thwarting aggressive behavior directed at personnel. When he growls and bites staff they turn him over on his back in a submissive position.
Today Grizz is 57 days old. Since it was warm weather today, Grizz was not very active. When he was being fed, he tried to take his bowl and cache it away.
Today Grizzer is 51 days old. Grizzer has had several loose stools and one had a small amount of blood. He was also given a dewormer for roundworm. A pup nanny had bought several new toys which came in very handy to distract Grizz during the pup programs. He occupied himself throughout the entire 3:00 pm program with a squeeze toy and deer ear. Following the final program of the day the pups were brought out into the wolf yard where they had a chance to tug on a beaver carcass which will be fed to Malik and Shadow tomorrow. Grizzer showed classic wolf feeding behavior which included aggressively growling at his littermates while ripping and tearing at the carcass. Grizz has been dossal throughout most of the evening hours. Staff has been playing the soothing music of Pachelbel's Canon to provide a relaxing mood for the pups. Grizz's aggression towards the handlers has appeared to decline. Wolf care staff has been making a more concerted effort to turn Grizzer over in submission when he shows signs of aggression such as growling and biting wolf care staff.
Today Grizz is 54 days old. Staff began socialization to pen work, wheelbarrows and weedeaters. Grizz was nervously pacing when large numbers of people entered the pen,and he actually tried to climb the enclosure wall to escape the outdoor puppy pen. They didn't seem to be afraid of the wheelbarrow, but all were fearful when the rocks were dumped from the wheelbarrow. But Grizzer was more relaxed when one staff member was running the weedeater. She came into the pen and left the weedeater running outside, all the pups came over to her. We're keeping a wet blanket in the freezer and bringing it out for programs, now that the temperatures are warmer. It seems to cool Grizzer when he gets over heated and Maya likes to chew on it, especially when she's teething. All pups have done extremely well during the 11 and 1 pm programs. Grizz was very relaxed during program even with crowd noises (baby crying and people leaving early). Grizz seemed a little anxious initially while out in the outside puppy. He exhibited some pacing and he isolated himself from the nannies and littermates, but he eventually came over and laid down next to the nannies and littermates. When the whole nanny group came out after dinner Grizz didn't come and greet the people, but he also didn't seem stressed. He basically laid where he was and watched the scene from near their pond.
Grizz was very anxious and distressed most of the morning-was panting, whining, and howling while pacing the enclosure looking for a way out. Gave him ice cubes and water, which he lapped out of the bowl. It didn't calm him down too much. We then put water in plastic sled for him to play in. He went in water but was still whining and anxious. Lab was warm so he may have been hot. We took pups to outdoor pup pen after program. Grizz ran around and explored the pen. He went into the den and dug some dirt out. He laid in den with Nubee. Went to shared fenceline and whined to Shadow & Malik. Malik brought piece of beaver near the fence and put it down. Grizz was very tired after romping in the pup pen and was not interested in eating at noon.
Today Grizz is 40 days old. He displayed very aggressive dominance of Groan, biting and shaking the scruff of her neck. Grizz and Groan had difficulty in the first program. We just started leash training and they were less than thrilled. Staff took Grizz and Groan outside of the pen on the leashes, leaving the door open for them to come back into the kennel. They eventually relaxed and finished the program After the 11 am and the 1 pm program, the pups played outside in the puppy pen. They enjoyed climbing in and out of the den hole and actively greeted Malik and Shadow. Grizz has been actively digging in the den hole. Grizz again had a stressful program. Staff put a venison porkchop on a string to drag in front of the pups to encourage them to follow on the leash. Groan and Nubee proceeded to eat the venison chop during the program. Grizz became stressed and left the enclosure on the leash, walked around the front of the exhibit for a bit, then calmed down when Groan joined him on the leash. Pups did well during program, but Grizz got a little anxious at the end. He didn't cooperate very well with walking on the leash so we carried him most of the way. We used venison chops, balsam branches and a deer leg as distractions during programs.
Grizz is 42 days old today. Grizzer and his littermates all received their vaccinations (DHLPP-5 way). Grizz did very well during programs as he was occupied by a beaver foot throughout the duration of the programs. While Grizz was outside he played keep away from Maya and Nyssa with one their toys. Very tolerant of Nyssa's dominant behavior over him. After the morning feeding Grizz became anxious and began whining and howling, and trying to climb up to the windowsill and gate. In general Grizz shows increasing signs of wanting to go outside
Today Grizzer is 61 days old. Today he was agitated and began pacing the perimeter of the puppy pen, whenever someone wanted to aproach he ran the other way. His ears were flat and sometimes had a tucked tail. Grizzer was anxious during the filming inside the enclosure, and he wanted to go out of the pen and did not respond to stimuli.
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