Puppy Milestone - Moving to the Nursery
By Jennifer Stoeckl, MAT - Dire Wolf Project CEO, March 10, 2025
Yesterday marked a milestone for the Cherry Blossom puppies.
They took their first steps into the great outdoors!
After weeks nestled in their cozy whelping den, these little explorers were ready to stretch their legs and discover a world beyond their familiar walls.
Just like wolf cubs emerging from their den for the first time, our pups hesitated at the threshold, noses twitching, eyes wide with curiosity.
Slowly but surely, the entire litter ventured out, feeling the dirt and straw beneath their paws and the breeze ruffling their soft coats.
As they cautiously stepped around their new space, they discovered new textures, scents, and sounds, growing more confident with each moment.
This transition is an important step in their development, helping them build resilience, trust, and a sense of adventure.
As they continue to explore their outdoor nursery, we’ll be right there beside them, guiding them as they learn and grow.
Soon, the puppies will begin learning how to maneuver down stairs, steady themselves on a wobble board, and brave the rainbow tunnel.
Today is service dog training in town with our retired stud, Shiloh, so updated pictures of the puppies will have to happen tomorrow.
But, today is… MOVIE MONDAY
We captured some cute close-up video of all of the puppies!
In today’s movie, we move the puppies from their indoor whelping den to the outside nursery.
Much like wolf cubs who venture just outside the den to sniff the unfamiliar ground, our puppies slowly begin to expand their territory.
The nursery becomes their training ground—a place to build confidence, strengthen muscles, and learn the language of the pack.
Jennifer Stoeckl is the co-founder of the Dire Wolf Project, founder of the DireWolf Guardians American Dirus Dog Training Program, and owner/operator of DireWolf Dogs of Vallecito. She lives in the beautiful inland northwest among the Ponderosa pine forests with her pack of American Dirus dogs.