2007-02-19 14:20:57 · 9 answers · asked by anntt1 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
As long as the mother will trust you, you can handle them with clean hands, for a minute or two, about twice per day..Of course you can't actually play with them until they are walking around good, and playing with each other..about 31/2 weeks old, then for only a few minutes at a time until they are 5 weeks old..
2007-02-19 14:27:33 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If mama dog doesn't growl or get upset with you around her pups and she places trust in you, you can handle them from day one. When our litters where born, they were born outside, (we had no idea the dog had gone into labour until we heard the puppies) (She was a visiting dog so she slept outside) We had to warm them up instantly (it was cold) and make sure nothing had abstructed the breathing or if there were any difficulties. We had to check and make sure all the pups were ok and healthy and didn't need a trip to the vet. The next day we handled them to get them around to a new spot. Mainly we kept contact to a minimum only ever now and then touching them. At the time they needed to bond with their mother and only get used to our scents also we needed to keep anything (colds, ext..) from any other dog away from the puppies. We couldn't take the chance of them getting sick. You can play with the pups when they can walk with ease, and eyes, and ears are open. The puppies by then will want to play and will be happy to do so. You can't play hard because even though their bones are very rubbery and hard to break as puppies they can break. When playing you must take precaution as to not step on them or knock them around. I hope I helped you out.
2007-02-19 22:47:40 · answer #2 · answered by Blade 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can touch and play with them right away... well depending on what you cansider playing... they can't play with you for a couple of weeks cuz their eyes and ears aren't open. But they can sense you being there from the beginning. I have always held my puppies from the minutes they were born. THeir mother appreciates it and all my puppies are well adapted to people by the time they can see. They are never timid around people. I truly believe it is from teh attention they get after birth. They trust us and listen to us from the get go. Just be sure your hands are clean any time you handle them. They are very prone to infection at this young age. I suggest keeping some hand sanitizer near their bed, clean your hands before and after you touch them. Also, have anyone who visits do the same. You do no want a gueat bringing in a disease from their animal and passing it to your litter.
2007-02-19 22:45:16 · answer #3 · answered by McRottie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the mom is comfortable with a few short sessions of handling the pups, petting touching feet etc. is very beneficial from day one.
It does stress them a tiny bit, but it is a good stress, it helps prepare their nervous systems for stimulation, it can aid in building healthy immune systems, and it is also a building block to socialization, and the dog allowing you touch its feet, accept petting etc. as it grows.
2007-02-19 22:29:45 · answer #4 · answered by Bindi *dogtrainingbyjess.com* 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can touch pups right after birth, playing with them is another story. They dont know you exist until theyre about 2-3 weeks old.
You must always wash your hands or wear servical gloves when handling young pups also watch your cloths. This is to protect them not you. People can tranmit baterials and viruses to pups quite easily.
2007-02-19 22:27:43 · answer #5 · answered by gary b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as the mother is not uncomfortable with you holding them, it is OK for very short periods of time. As a matter of fact, it is the first very important step in socializing them to people. As they get older and she leaves them for longer you may take this opportunity to stroke them and talk to them calmly. Do not let young children pick them up or handle them. They do not realize how gently they must be held.
2007-02-19 22:31:03 · answer #6 · answered by garden_anne 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can help newborns onto the breast right away. Most dams, that trust you and know that you are there to help and are catering to the dams also actually appreciate the help.
2007-02-19 22:27:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd wait until they are a couple of days old, just so their mom won't think that you're a threat
2007-02-19 22:27:19 · answer #8 · answered by Gynipher 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
whenever the mama lets you!
2007-02-19 22:32:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋