Never pick up a puppy by its tail! Slide your hand under as much of the body as possible to offer the best support as you pick up the puppy. Handle puppies as little as possible during their first two weeks after birth. Over-handling them could upset the mother dog or harm the puppies. [2] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source If possible, wait until the puppies are at least 3-4 weeks old before trying to determine their sex. They will have had enough time to bond with their mother and develop a bit by then. [3] X Research source
It may be easier if you have someone else hold the puppy so you can do the visual inspection. You can also rest them on their backs on a warm towel spread on a table. This will help keep the puppy warm. [5] X Research source
Use a heating pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel in the puppy’s bed to help keep it warm. [7] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
The prepuce may have little wispy hairs around it or even on it. Do not attempt to pull out or unsheathe a male puppy’s penis until the puppy is at least 6 months old. Dogs have an os penis, or “penis bone. ” You may damage the penis or penis bone if you attempt to forcibly unsheathe a young male dog’s penis. [11] X Research source
Depending on your puppy’s size, its testicles will be about the size of a lima bean. By 8 weeks old, the testicles are usually enclosed in the sack-like scrotum.
The vulva of a female puppy is small and leaf-shaped. It has a vertical slit. It is usually located almost directly between the puppy’s hind legs. The vulva may have some wispy hairs on it. [15] X Research source
