Sophie’s Puppies: Exploring Textures, Sounds, and… Lunch Remnants!

At just 3.5 weeks old, Sophie’s puppies are right in the middle of one of the most important developmental windows of their entire lives. Every day brings something new to discover, and today’s adventure included textured play mats, a singing elephant, and (in true puppy fashion) a little post-lunch grooming session between siblings!

Why Textured Mats Are So Valuable at This Age

Around three to four weeks, puppies transition from the sleepy newborn stage to curious, wobbly explorers. Their senses are awakening, their confidence is building, and gentle enrichment helps wire their brains for resilience, problem-solving, and calm curiosity.

Textured mats are perfect for this age because they:

• Support sensory development

  
  

  Puppies learn through their paws first! Soft bumps, ridges, and different fabrics teach them to process new sensations safely and calmly.

• Build body awareness and balance

  
  

  Slightly uneven surfaces help strengthen their muscles, coordination, and stability as they learn to walk, pounce, and (occasionally) tumble.

• Encourage early exploration

  
  

  Novel-but-safe experiences at this stage build puppies who grow into confident, adaptable adult dogs.

Meet the Singing Elephant!

You’ll also see our moving, musical elephant toy in the video, happily serenading the litter with “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” At this age, sound-based enrichment is incredibly beneficial when introduced thoughtfully and at low volume.

Auditory movement toys help puppies:

• Become comfortable with new sounds

  
  

  Rhythm, melody, and gentle motion help desensitise them to the unpredictable noises of the world.

• Build positive associations

  
  

  When puppies hear cheerful sounds in a relaxed environment, they’re less likely to develop fear of noises later in life.

• Strengthen visual tracking skills

  
  

  Their eyes have only recently opened fully, watching a toy move and sing encourages puppies to follow motion, focus, and engage.

A Little Lunch… and a Little Licking

You may also notice that Sophie’s puppies are giving each other enthusiastic licks after lunch. This is completely normal and actually part of healthy social development. Puppies learn early grooming behaviours from their mum, and as they grow, they naturally begin to explore taste, smell, and touch with each other.

It’s messy, adorable, and all part of the bonding process!

Setting the Foundation for Confident Cavoodles

Every item we introduce, from the textures under their paws to the silly songs in the air, is carefully chosen to support their neurological, social, and emotional development. These small experiences now become the building blocks of:

• confident adult dogs

• adaptable family companions

• calm, curious learners

• puppies ready for the world beyond the whelping box

We hope you love watching this special stage as much as we do. Sophie’s babies are growing beautifully, and every day brings a new little milestone to celebrate.