Puppy Facts

Day 1-9 What is Happening?

Puppy Fact #1 - Newborn puppies are underdeveloped.  They do not hear nor see.  But,their senses of smell and touch are functioning. The puppies should be handled a little bit every day. Like our weight check daily.  They also get snuggled and kissed during the weighing process. Who can resist their velvet fur and cuddly little bodies? This is an important part of their development.

Puppy Fact #2 - Weimaraner puppies are the only dogs born with lengthwise stripes that fade away in the first two weeks after they are born.

Puppy Fact #3 - We weigh each puppy to track if they are gaining weight and making progress.  

Puppy Fact #4 - Each puppy is fitted with a special collar to mark the order in which they are born.  This also helps us in the tracking process.  Weighing and measuring specific puppies.  We keep a log book or each individual’s progress so we may later relay their start and progress with you!  

Why is it important to caress the mother and unborn puppies before birth?

In a similar vein, when a pregnant animal is petted her litter is more docile (Denenberg and Whimbey 1963, in Fox 1978). This effect, called the "gentling", "petting" or "caress" effect, can be prolonged by caresses to the new-born. According to Fox (1975, in Fox 1978) this activates the parasympathetic system, facilitating relaxation, digestion and emotional attachment, and thus socialization as well. Experiments by Cyrulnik with cats have shown that attachment depends on the cholinergic system; anti-cholinergics block the attachment process. The object of attachment is a being whose presence soothes and whose absence causes distress, who possess the signs of familiarization; a "reference being" (Eibl-Eibesfeldt 1984). This is probably linked to the social species' innate need for contact.

A dog's tactile capacities develop before birth, and it is possible that it already becomes used to contact in the uterus, when the mother is petted. Puppies manipulated this way show a greater tolerance to touching than dogs born of a mother who was not petted.

Once again, manipulation (contact, exposure to cold, etc.) at a young age or before birth (manipulation of the pregnant mother) gives greater resistance to stress (cold, hunger) and disease (implanted tumors). This phenotypical effect is transmitted non-genetically for several generations (Denenberg and Rosenberg, in Fox 1978).

These experiments enable us to deduce that when a gestating pet is given a friendly and caring human environment (with affectionate physical contact), the domestication and emotional balance of her offspring is facilitated, as compared with an environment where there is no contact and interaction with people. 

Click Here to read about  how We utilize the “Bio Sensor” program; developed by the U.S. Military for producing high achievers. This will better explain our methods and the benefits of early stimulation/socialization that we do with our young pups.

We also administer the Volhard Puppy Aptitude test at  42-49 days of age to assess aptitude and temperament for optimum family placement.