Continued
It is important that we understand the physiology and behavioural patterns of newborn puppies, so that steps can be taken to provide an environment which is conducive to the flourishing of the pups.
During the neonatal period (birth to three weeks of age) a healthy puppy is the picture of contentment. It sleeps 90 per cent of the time and nurses about 10 per cent. It nurses vigorously and competes for nipples. For the first 48 hours, a puppy sleeps with his head curled under its chest. While sleeping, puppies jerk, kick and sometimes whimper. This is called ‘activated sleep.’ It is normal. It is the newborn puppy’s only means of ‘exercise’ and helps to develop muscles which will be used later
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A good mother instinctively keeps her nest and puppies clean. By licking the belly and anal area of