Updated temperament tests have arrived!

The Cherry Blossom Litter (and little Paul Revere) are blossoming right before our eyes!

At just 2.5 weeks old, these precious second-generation pups out of Cookie Monster and Galena are stepping into a whole new world—one filled with the warmth and wonder of human companionship.

For the first two weeks of their lives, we remained respectfully distant, letting them develop without interruption.

But now, after their second temperament test this past Sunday, the time has come to introduce them to the best part of being a DireWolf Dog—bonding with their humans.

The magic begins with touch.

Imagine the moment a tiny pup feels a gentle hand for the first time—the slow glide of fingers tracing their back, the reassuring weight of a palm resting on their side.

Their soft little bodies react with instinctive wiggles, some melting into the contact while others pause, wide-eyed, as if trying to process this new and wonderful sensation.

Some tilt their heads just so, leaning into the strokes, discovering the pleasure of a belly rub.

Others are delighted by the gentle press of kisses on their velvety noses and chubby little toes.

But we must tread lightly.

At this tender age, their world is still painted in shadows, their eyes not yet sharp enough to distinguish detail.

Sudden movements could startle them, so we introduce ourselves with the utmost care—slow, deliberate motions, quiet coos, and warm, steady hands.

We respect their space, allowing them to come to us, to sniff and explore at their own pace.

Their ears, though still tuning into the symphony of the world, are already learning to recognize the cadence of our voices.

High-pitched, affectionate murmurs signal something exciting—a warm bowl of goat’s milk and softened kibble mush, the promise of full bellies and contented sighs.

Soon, they will learn that the sound of our approach means comfort, safety, and love.

And oh, the joy of a lap!

Some puppies instinctively nestle in, their tiny paws curling as they soak in the warmth of a human embrace.

Others remain cautious at first, their little brows furrowing as they assess the situation.

But soon, all of them will realize that a human’s touch is not just safe—it’s wonderful.

This is just the beginning of their journey.

In a short while, they will leave the safety of their whelping pen and venture into the outside nursery, where adventure awaits.

There, they will take their first wobbly steps down stairs, challenge their balance on a wobble board, and conquer the dark unknown of a play tunnel.

Each milestone will shape them, strengthening their confidence and preparing them for the world that awaits.

But for now, we cherish these first interactions.

These moments of quiet discovery, where trust is built one gentle touch at a time.

The Cherry Blossom Litter and little Paul Revere are growing, learning, and becoming the bonded, loving companions they were born to be.

If you’re as eager as we are to watch these little ones develop into the incredible dogs they’re meant to be, check out their newly recorded temperament testing notes here:

https://direwolfdogs.com/dogs-for-sale/future-litters/

There are some surprises!

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.