The Puppies

From birth to12 days old, the puppies cannot hear or see but their sense of smell is heightened in order to find their mother.

Training begins with controlled stress as we try to define “What is a normal environment?” to the puppy. Considering a “normal” environment, the puppies must be introduced to lights going on and off, lots of noise and activity, and people coming and going at random times.

The following are the five exercises performed once a day beginning at day three until three week’s old.

Q-tip between toes, so that the puppies get used to having their paws touched.
The puppy is placed on a cold, wet towel for thermal stimulation.
Positional changes, for example upside down, head up, head down, on their back.
Changing lights by using a television whose lights vary and other light sources. Change in sound with classical music that utilizes different instruments and stimulates the brain to start hearing sounds.
By shaking coins in a can, we recreate a startling noise. Doing this repeatedly with different means of startling, can reduce the puppy’s negative reaction.

Puppies are weighed daily (for the first 3 weeks) to ensure proper growth and identify if there is a need for human intervention.*