I have many Questions.... - Page 1

This wonderful world of puppies I am now living in raises many questions in my mind; I ask the Marvelous Minds of the Board to share some of their expertise with great thanks.....

1) When puppies are observed competing for nursing positions, some are faster, and get to the best positions more quickly, some bull their way to the best spots and push others off, some settle for lesser positions, and some wait for the rush to be over, and come to nurse when the others get done. If certain puppies consistantly show the same traits when going to nurse, does that translate to 'drive' or 'dominence' when they are adults?

2) Is it true that you can tell a puppies future coloring by the color of the hair of the anal patch? Some of our pups are very black, with just a hint of lighter color on the back of their legs & by their butts, some have lighter 'eyebrows', some really have lighter body color with definate black on their backs, one even seems to have a little mask(so cute!); so are there patterns of general color developement, or is it 'guess your best'?

3) We have been handling and weighing the pups several times a day since their birth. Is there anything we can do to help steer their developement toward being good working dogs?

I appreciate all positive comments, as this is all new to me. I would also appreciate any refferals to reference materials, I am an avid reader & would love to know which books on the GSD are worth investing in! Thank you so much!!! jackie harris

1)  yes I do believe that the desire to find momma and nurse could be a good sign of what you said

2)  You can usually tell the color when they are newborn to a few weeks old- yes if they are very dark and have little to no tan they will be very dark, bi-color.  I am no expert but have bred for many years and do believe in this

1. No

2. Sorta... sometimes...

3. No

SS

1- have you ever heard the phrase "sucking hind tit", it comes from the fact that  a female (of many species that have litters of young) will push weaker pups to the back and pull her "favorites" to the front.  in other words if you are sucking hind tit, mom doesnt like you as much.

2- really dont know.  still watching litters grow and collecting data on how much their color changes as they grow.

3- "Early Neurological Stimulation"  has been done for some time.  also know as the super puppy program.  article can be found at numerous sites.  we have done this with a couple of our litters, and will continue to do so.  i cant say if it really helps, but it sure doesnt hurt

http://www.breedingbetterdogs.com/achiever.html

john

Thanks John, I wanted to share this too but didn't have the link.

Kalibeck, go to this web site and look under books, he has written a real good book for breeders.
http://www.k9fixer.com/

hey 4pack, or is it a 6pack  now lol, hows that new pup?  i know for a fact your pup was "super puppied" .  we are also getting one out of that litter, so once again we share littermates.  talk to you later

john

John, my little girl is doing great, when she isn't on one appendage or the other.  I'm so used to run ins with the big dog teeth, I forgot puppies are 10x's worse. This little thing is quick and deadly. I can't wait for her to be out there putting the hurt to the decoys. Baden was my Enzo clone. Dasti looks to be turning into a little Jazzy. Never had a puppy with a full time shit eating grin. She is so much fun and never quits.

Which hellion are you taking?

My wife named her dory, from finding nemo, because she is always biting, biting, biting! 

my 8 yr old girl (dog) went to see what she was playing with and the little bitch jumped up, snapped at her and went back to her toy.

this is going to be a fun one.

john

Dory, ah yes green girl now missing off Chris's site. Have fun. I knew I was in trouble when I couldn't keep mine away from her brother (she can squeeze through his kennel gate). She idolizes him something fierce, it's quite amussing. Thank God he doesn't see her as his next meal. He even lets her jump all over him when he has a bone. Never thought that would happen. Baden has been a terrific big bro so far. So yeah I believe your little bitch jumped up like that. I have been living it all week.