A good mama!

The puppies' combined weight now easily exceeds Cassie's. With a group effort they could take her down! She still allows them to nurse several times a day for a few minutes, but when she is done, that's it. She growls at the puppies to warn them away, and they get the message. With a particularly persistent puppy, she growls and gently knocks the puppy over and pins it with her paw until the puppy submits. It's all part of her teaching the puppies respect and the order of the pack. We let the mama dogs do as much of that teaching work for us as we can!