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Show Puppy love simple Pet him briefly, get up, and walk away while you coax him to follow. If he comes eagerly and did not put up a strong protest during the previous tests, the pup gets a high rating as a potential family pet. Each week, hundreds of people visit animal shelters and breeders to select pets. Some will select large strong dogs to guard property. Others will choose petite canines as companions for elderly relatives. But most will be there to find pets for their children. Careful observation and handling of the puppies or dogs available for adoption can make the difference between choosing a friendly, responsive animal and one that never quite fits into your household. According to Robert L. Stear, D.V.M., there are ideas which will help. When you first approach ap-proach a group of puppies, pup-pies, notice which ones run toward you and which hold back. Eliminate from further consideration con-sideration those that don't approach you. The reason for this is to eliminate puppies that may have already developed an aversion to people. Also, a pup that I lags behind, with noticeably less energy I than its kennel mates, I may be ill. Now you're ready to floor some distance from you, and call to it. If the puppy comes to you readily, lift the puppy up above your head, with both hands under its forelegs, and muzzle toward you. If he settles down, speak reassuringly. A pup should be given three tries to calm down while held in the air. Roll the , puppy over on its back, lift it into the air, and repeat the previous test. Next, lay the pup down' on its side, on the floor, and hold it there for about half a minute. Hold him by the scruff of the neck with one hand and use the other hand to keep him flat. Stroke the pup's belly to see if he trusts you in this vulnerable position. The best response would be the pup's lifting a hind leg to expose its tender underside, un-derside, as a sign of trust. While the pup is lying down, also hold its muzzle for a few seconds, and look for signs of resentment resent-ment or irritation. Finally, you repeat the approach test. Release the pup from its position on the floor, and wait to see if he comes to you. test the acceptable j I puppies on an individual I i basis. Place a pup on the 1 |