Puppies on their backs...

[msvette2u]

I understand the concept of laying a dog or puppy on it's back...but my babies are only just going to be 5 weeks tomorrow!!
Some gal inquiring about the puppies and wanting to adopt one was asking if they freaked out on their backs, what they did when we lay them on their backs, etc.
What's you guys' opinion on that? It rather offended me the way she asked...like "Do they get fearful if you lay them on their backs".
I told her that I have personally held each one every day since they were born...

[pitbullmamaliz]

Is she thinking about alpha-rolling 5 week old pups???

[msvette2u]

She asked "what do they do when you lay them on their backs, do they get fearful or freak out, (etc)" She asked, specifically, holding them and "stroking their tummies".
I told her, it depends on how we lay them on their backs. The kids like holding them "like a baby" and it frustrates the puppies. I allow them to relax, and gradually get them into that "baby" position (on their backs) and just pet them and let them relax.
In one pic, Ashley is holding Jabari on his back and did for an extended time and he just chilled there! It was kind of cool.
But - of what significance is freaking out, or lack thereof, at FIVE weeks old??

[katiek0417]

Ummm....hmmmm....

When a dog exposes it's belly, it is submitting. From the time I bring a puppy home (8 weeks old) I do a thing I call "be a baby." I hold the dog, on it's back, in my arms (the way you would hold a baby). I then talk to it gently, and touch every part of it's body, check it's privates, check it's ears, check it's mouth. This shows the dog I'm in charge, and it gets the dog used to allowing me to check it's body. The act turns positive because of the touching, and because I'm not doing it in a threatening way.

I have heard many people say that the way to check the temperament of a puppy is to hold it on it's back to see how it reacts. I have personally never done this before getting a puppy, and both my dogs seem to have great temperaments....

I think being around the puppies every day, holding them, etc is a better test of the temperament...but that's just me

[msvette2u]

I have heard many people say that the way to check the temperament of a puppy is to hold it on it's back to see how it reacts. I have personally never done this before getting a puppy, and both my dogs seem to have great temperaments....

I think that's what she's getting at too but I feel like, a baby BABY is going to be able to be worked with like you do yours, and it'll be fine.
We hold ours "like a baby" too and they don't freak but it's all in how you approach it. If you grab one and just flip it over it WILL freak out, any of them will. But if you assist the puppy in being in that position, slowly, they tolerate it much better...
I think I have a problem with people holding that as a "gold standard" as to what you judge a puppy being a "good dog" by...

[babyreba]

yvette, i wouldn't be too upset about it, though it is a clueless question . . . i think it's one of those things that people read about on a web site or at a shelter and they take it as some kind of gospel. like "a good puppy will have black spots in its mouth."

it's the equivalent of looking under the hood of a car and nodding and kicking the tires when you know nothing about cars.

she was probably told at some point her in life that a "good" puppy will be the one that doesn't struggle to get away when you turn it on its back or roll it over. she probably has no clue that there are lots of things that dogs do that don't fit the old-school thoughts on what makes a good family dog.

[msvette2u]

The stupidest thing is that she's a Doberman breeder...her bitch died of heart failure a while back and she wants Jazzi...

[cheekymunkee]

ALL puppies wiggle & struggle when they are on their backs........don't they? They are just trying to right themselves.

[Marinepits]

ALL puppies wiggle & struggle when they are on their backs........don't they? They are just trying to right themselves.

Kinda like Weebles.

[Jesseca]

ALL puppies wiggle & struggle when they are on their backs........don't they? They are just trying to right themselves.

Kinda like Weebles.

Weebles wobble but the don't fall down. (sorry I couldn't help myself)

[Jesseca]

The stupidest thing is that she's a Doberman breeder...her bitch died of heart failure a while back and she wants Jazzi...

Is this the same lady that we talked about before or someone new? She knows Jazzi will be spayed first right?

[Marinepits]

ALL puppies wiggle & struggle when they are on their backs........don't they? They are just trying to right themselves.

Kinda like Weebles.

Weebles wobble but the don't fall down. (sorry I couldn't help myself)

That damn song is going to be stuck in my head now, LOL!

[msvette2u]

The stupidest thing is that she's a Doberman breeder...her bitch died of heart failure a while back and she wants Jazzi...

Is this the same lady that we talked about before or someone new? She knows Jazzi will be spayed first right?

This is a gal in N. Calif. Not the 1st person to inquire about Jazzi, she's the second one to inquire. I don't think she's interested in breeding. I told her today that I wasn't going to be the one making the decisions on placement of the puppies, that's Kaye's and Christa's specialty...

Weebles wobble but they don't fall down ---- I sing Copper that song all the time because he's so "wobbly" in the car (when we take off fast - mao)

[ellie@ny]

:rolleyes2:

I understand the concept of laying a dog or puppy on it's back...but my babies are only just going to be 5 weeks tomorrow!!
Some gal inquiring about the puppies and wanting to adopt one was asking if they freaked out on their backs, what they did when we lay them on their backs, etc.
What's you guys' opinion on that? It rather offended me the way she asked...like "Do they get fearful if you lay them on their backs".
I told her that I have personally held each one every day since they were born...

This is kind a early temperament test,but IMO it should be done arround 10 weeks,not 5 weeks.And not just turn them on the floor,they have to be in your arms,like a baby and just see what their reaction is.A good temperamented pup would just lay and let you pet him,a stronger headed well we know what they do At least that's how I saw it.I think it's very helpful to know ,cause you know what kind of owner you have to choose for the pup.Hope it helps.

[a-bull]

Yes, she's probably refering to something of this sort:

http://www.pbrc.net/temperament.html

[msvette2u]

Yes, she's probably refering to something of this sort:

http://www.pbrc.net/temperament.html

Very nice chart, thank you!! I agree though that 5 weeks is a bit early to try too much with it...but this is a great chart to keep on hand in a few weeks!!

[a-bull]

Yeah, it's a good guideline---it's just that I've seen soo many pups/dogs that would have been pts based upon those charts turn out to be wonderful pets---and on the other hand, seemingly docile pups turn into hellions---but it is a good guideline.

[msvette2u]

Well OK...so I laid Jabari on his back and he likes it but if I move my hand to his neck he growls as if in play. Plus there's something to be said for "playful mood" v. mellow/hold me mood?? But he's the most playful too...

[a-bull]

I just kind of use it as potential personality guideline---to know what you may be working with and to help with training---but nothing is steadfast.

[msvette2u]

That makes sense. I think the thing that bugged me about her asking like she did, was, like you were saying, it only is a guideline, and to give ideas on how to work with that dog or the type owner it ought to have. It isn't to be used as an indicator of a "good v. bad" dog...especially not in a barely-5-wk. old baby...??
For a past breeder of Dobies, it seemed like a dorky question to me