Now a boisterous, noisy bunch, these babies have just started eating mush. They can almost pull themselves over the edge of the whelping pen so it is definitely time to move them into roomier (and safer) accommodations. Keeping them corralled long enough to get this picture was very tricky.
They walk and 'talk' and play with each other for much longer periods of time - but still spend the majority of their time snuggled up to mommy, nursing and sleeping. They are still babies, after all.

The Detroit Dumb Friends League website offers a wealth of wonderful information for pet owners. Well-written and well thought out articles cover many of the topics and concerns that most of us have had at one time or another.

Look for this article, "Introducing Your New Dog To Your Resident Dog", on their website if you are considering adding another canine member to your family. Don't assume that the two dogs will automatically get along - increase the chances of success by careful planning and implementing the suggested Introduction Techniques.

The following Techniques are explained in the article:

Choose a Neutral Location
Use Positive Reinforcement
Be Aware of Body Postures
Taking The Dog Home
Introducing Puppies To Adult Dogs
When To Get Help

Update on Meisje and Squire's puppies:

They are now 2 weeks old today and coming along nicely. They all weigh just around the 1 pound mark. Their eyes are starting to open. The pigment, is strong - noses of all but one puppy were black at 4 days of age, and their pads are getting more and more black already.

Chloe and I wash very carefully before we take them out of their whelping area so that we can do their Early Neurological Stimulation exercises ("Puppy School", Chloe calls it).

Neglect/Genetics? Perhaps both.

I don't mean to gross anybody out by posting this picture but I feel that it is important to reinforce the fact that good dental care is essential to the maintenance of quality health for our dogs. This 9 year old dog had a dental cleaning done about 2 years ago and at that time 8 teeth were extracted.

I can tell you from personally checking her teeth prior to taking this picture, that no dental scaling/cleaning is going to save the rest of her teeth now. Most are loose and several are almost certainly abscessed. The plaque that is plainly evident has already caused the gums to become very red and inflamed. It is not only unsightly and accompanied by very bad breath but it also has the potential of causing life-threatening health issues through chronic septic action on the heart and other organs. I'm sure that no-one knowingly puts their pet at such a preventable risk to their health, but that is exactly what avoiding our dog's dental care does. Be vigilant - check your pet's mouth and teeth often.

There are several options available to pet owners: brushing your pet's teeth with enzyme toothpaste specifically designed for dogs, offering dental chew items that will help in a mechanical way to loosen plaque, giving daily oral products that help prevent plaque build-up (ProDen PlaqueOff, is one. Petzlife is another), regular cleaning and scaling by a veterinarian under anesthetic, or scaling done without anesthetic.

*Cautionary note: Scaling not done by vet is not recommended for several valid reasons: This practice could introduce bacteria into the system unless done very carefully. Without x-ray it is not possible to determine other dental problems, such as cracked teeth or dental abscesses. Vets use sterilized equipment and give prophylactic antibiotics.

Whatever choice (or combination of choices) you make ....pleeeeeez.....for the sake of your dog's health, do not ignore your dog's dental care. They'd thank you if they could.

Early Neurological Stimulation

The first time this term (Early Neurological Stimulation) was introduced to me was during a Seminar presented by Dr. Carmen Battaglia during a K-9 College Cruise in 2006.

The handling of newborn pups as part of their early socialization process was not new but the precise outline of each activity including the number of seconds each procedure was done, and the exact days on which they were performed was new information.

The background data he presented included military studies on animals and their ability to learn and respond to stress. A certain amount of stress carefully applied during the 3rd to 16th day of life, when the neurological system is undergoing its most rapid developmental growth, was found to assist puppies in their ability to perform problem solving tests. They matured faster and were more able to cope, adjust and later adapt to situations as adults.

They also found that too much stress can cause negative results rather than the desired outcomes, so these stimulation exercises must be used with caution in order to have positive results.

On an anecdotal note - I have found that the puppies of recent litters where stimuli was applied according to ENS recommendations did indeed seem to be exceptionally outgoing, confident and fast learners - - perhaps more so than previous litters where I did not do the early socializing of my pups according to any particular stimulation regime. I will continue to follow this regime and monitor outcomes.

Labels: early neurological stimulation, early socialization, puppy development

- The Six Newest Angels in the Heavens Bichon family -

Born during the night, May 3rd, 2007, to mother 'Meisje' and daddy 'Squire'; 4 girls and 2 boys.