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My puppies are now 3 weeks old. They only just realised last 3-4 days that others in the litter exisit and I exist and there is a world out there
Only last 3 or so days they started to play with each other, and somewhat walk, even attempting to run. Ubber cute I must say.
So on Sunday (that would make them 23 days old) I took them outside for the first time, also for the first time fed them from a metal bowl. I had two bowls and banged them together. No reaction, which I was very happy about, given that the pups were outside for no longer then 5 minutes.
Also last night I have hanged couple of soft tug toys above the whelping box. and few of them went up to the toys, pawed it and started to bite it, and tug on it.
for those on my Facebook you can see the videos I posted there)
So my question is - when do you start assesing your puppies for certain traits?
I start day one, I watch them eat, I give them a bottle and see how they feed of that, I watch them roll away from the mother and find their way back to the nipple, I see how they react when I pick them up, turn them upsidedown etc.
But now looking at the 3 week old BABIES Im surprised that some want to tug already.
hi Monika
Right now, just let them be pups.. sure certain traits will become noticable early. This is a whole new world to them.. No need to start assessing puppies at this age. Just enjoy watching them slowly develop into being who they are.
Lots of handling is good
Robert Santori (01-18-2011)
This is what I do, just watch them do their own thing, watch them try a play bow (and fall over), watch them get scared of something and how fast they recover, watch them rush towards the mother or me.
Im not really assessing but down deep I am LOL comparying them and noticing what each is like.
As some of them are going to families with young kids I will try to look for less drive/more calm pups for them. And more "drive" for the pups that will go to someone that wants to be involved in obedience lets say.
I personally believe we don't get a good picture of the temperament and charatcter of pups until around 5 - 6 weeks of age. .They are still (and will be for quite awhile), slowly developing their intial drives, such as prey drive, social drive, etc. Its good you are looking for traits at an early age, these will however change as the pups develop over the next few weeks.
Amy Pattison (04-02-2012), Robert Santori (01-18-2011)
Working Breeders may have a different opnion on this. I however have never assessed a pup for character and working ability until at least 5 weeks. Some here may feel you can tell at an earlier age. I too would like to know of others opnions, especially from the working dog breeders that have produced a few litters. I have been asked by many clients over the years to asses pups for them . I usually wait until at least that 5 to 6 week period, when a better judgement can be made, and you can do a proper assessment on character, temperament and intial drives.
Amy Pattison (04-02-2012), jeff jones (01-18-2011)
Since I started the thread Im also interested)
I am keeping some pass the 8 weeks mark so it will give me even better opportunity to see what they are like, but I do wonder how early can things be seen and stay there with the dog for life.
I recall in another tiller I had, I named a puppy Drama Queen on the second day after birth. at 8-9 weeks she was a totally awesome puppy that I have considered keeping for myself. Plenty of drive, great tugging, nothing phased her. Conformation definitelly the best out of that litter. There was one thing I didnt like, she was noisy, just as noisy as she was when still blind newborn.
deleted by me
Last edited by adam VIPSS; 07-22-2011 at 02:26 PM.
jeff jones (01-18-2011), Robert Santori (01-18-2011)
From my very limited experience I have seen that the pups drives and dominance, over each other, goes up and down between 4 and 7 weeks. I think if you look at the pups at 5 weeks this gives you an idea and if you look at them again at 7 weeks, you have a better idea of how they will grow up. BUT I am inexperienced and I do rely on the advice of others both here on the forum and my personal contacts in the selection proccess.
However I might add that in both litters I have picked out pretty good pups. But thats easy with Dutchies.
Vendo.
------ TALK IS CHEAP.... SHOW US YOUR DOG
www.workingdutchshepherds.com.au
www.qldsecuritysolutions.com.au
jeff jones (01-18-2011)
Its funny to read - look at them at 5 weeks then look a them at 7 weeks.
I look at the every day! LOL
7-8 weeks is also good time to looking at conformation.
Im also inexperienced (Im a novice breeder and would like more experience) and I ask few friends in the know to help with selection process.
Also another question. And I promise/swear Im not having a dig at anyone. It is a genuine question.
From what I read the WL people that their whole litters are "awesome". That every pup is very good. So what are you selecting? Those with stronger nerves, those with more drive, those that are overall a great dog but might not be the best on one area? Are you choosing for yourself and for what YOU want most? I imagine yo are keeping a pupp from the litter. What about if you are not keeping one? (or that doesnt happen?)
When I choose for myself I look at the overall dog. Might not have the most drive, might not be the best in conformation etc. So my pick of a litter is a dog that I think has got good points in all areas, might not be a superstar in one area, but it ticks all the boxes of all areas. Health included (as I test pups for certain genetic diseases)
I monitor them and their behaviours from about 4 and a half weeks , in which they all get little collars so I know who is doing what , with out any testing, until 49 days.
In saying that i still spend alot of time with them , but not testing them , I just play with and let them be puppies.
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