Do you socialize your puppies?
Show breeders know that a carefully controlled program of handling neworn puppies is vital. After all we know someday our dogs will be touched by 100s of judges and some of these judges will want to hand them a big fat rosette. Touching puppies prepare them to be better problem solvers and to more effectively handle the stress of the show circuit. I handle my puppies, so that having other humans around them ‘ is a part of what they have always known. When the puppies are a day old, I blow gently on the puppies’ faces. I want them to associate my scent with nurturing, just like they associate their mother’s scent with nurturing. At one week of age, they get their toenails clipped, and again every week after that. I also let them experience the gentle distant blowing of a hair dryer from week two. Even though they can’t see or hear it yet, I want them familiar with its scent and the feeling of the warm air on them. Many of my puppies become show dogs, and I want grooming to be a no big deal for them. We have a routine in place for handling her puppies a few times a day, for three to five minutes at a time, in order to accelerate their physical development. Once their ears open we play the radio, talk radio. Once their eyes open we include different towels and toys. Italian Greyhound FAQs . . .
