We don't have a crystal ball. We have something even better.
By Jennifer Stoeckl, MAT - Dire Wolf Project CEO, March 3, 2025
There’s something downright magical about gazing into the mind of a 2.5-week-old puppy.
It’s like opening a window into their soul.
Raw, untouched, and filled with endless possibility.
These little explorers are just beginning to shift from the neonatal stage to the transitional stage, and that means it’s time to take another peek into their inherited temperament.
As the Cherry Blossom litter wobble their way into this new phase of life, I am watching them closely, eager to see what whispers of their future selves might emerge.
Boy, did I see a delightful mix of surprises, quirks, and insights.
It’s like opening a long-lost book and discovering the first lines of a brand-new story.
For example, three of the male pups (blue, black, green) shared their displeasure when I clasped firmly to turn them over on their backs.
When given a gentle turn they felt a small pinch on their side from my grasp.
Each one let out a little squeak in protest.
This wasn’t fear.
Nor was it defiance.
No, these boys simply have a lower pain tolerance than many of our other American Dirus dogs.
Pain sensitivity is an inherited trait, and while we aim for a high threshold in our dogs—ones who don’t flinch at a routine vaccine or IV injection—these three made it clear that they were more attuned to discomfort than most.
Not a bad thing, not a good thing—just an interesting trait to track.
Then there was Finch.
Ah, Finch, the little wriggler.
The moment he was lifted off the ground, his feet pumped and his body squirmed like a tiny worm trying to burrow into safety.
But here’s the fascinating part…
He didn’t fight the turn itself.
That’s an important distinction.
Some puppies resist being flipped as if they’re trying to win an imaginary wrestling match.
Not finch, though.
He simply didn’t like being off the ground, relying more on himself than surrendering to the moment.
A small but telling shift in his inherited temperament—one that shows a more independent spirit, but not necessarily a defiant one.
And then there’s Bluebell.
Oh, sweet, thoughtful Bluebell.
She went through the motions of the test just fine, taking it all in.
But when she got back to the puppy pile.
Well, she needed to talk about it.
With a series of dramatic little grunts and sighs, she let everyone know she had thoughts about what had just happened.
If Bluebell could speak, I imagine she’d be the type to say,
“Did anyone else experience that today? Because, wow.”
She’s a thinker, a feeler, and she processes things deeply.
These are the puppies who often grow into incredibly emotionally intelligent dogs—the ones who seem to know exactly what their humans need before we even say a word.
But, fair warning to her future family:
If she ever gets a bath
when she’s not in the mood,
you will hear about it.
Each of these puppies gave me a little glimpse into their budding personalities, and while nothing is set in stone, their responses give us valuable insights.
Some are sensitive, some are independent thinkers, some are deep feelers.
Over time, these small traits will weave together into the magnificent tapestry of who they will become.
For now, we watch, we learn, and we marvel at these tiny Ice Age explorers finding their way in the world.
You can watch how each of the puppies did on the temperament test on today’s MOVIE MONDAY!
Click the link to see for yourself how they did:
P.S. I will be updating the temperament section with my written thoughts on how each puppy did on the temperament test. I’ll let you know when they are completed.
P.P.S. If you’re ready to embark on the journey of bringing home your very own DireWolf Dog your adventure begins here.
Just as dire wolves once scouted their icy domain for the perfect territory, we take great care in finding the right pack for each of our pups.
Click the link below to open the Puppy Adoption Questionnaire—your first step in proving yourself as a worthy packmate.
Be sure to answer every question before pressing send, so we can truly understand the heart of your den.
https://direwolfproject.com/puppy-application/
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.