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A pair of hands holding four fluffy black German Shepherd puppies against a cozy living room background. 5 / 38

Four Fluffy Puppies, Two Hands, and Not One Inch to Spare

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Four puppies, two hands, and not an inch to spare. A pair of careful hands in a soft blue sweater is holding up a whole bundle of black German Shepherd babies, their fluffy coats glowing in the warm light from a nearby window. The pup at the top right looks wide awake and curious, the one beside him gazes off with a dreamy expression, and the two on the bottom are snuggled shoulder to shoulder, tiny paws dangling over fingers. A pink hair tie circles one wrist, and behind them a living room with a wooden coffee table and a blanket-draped couch fades softly out of focus.

Gentle handling like this is one of the best gifts a young puppy can receive. Early, positive experiences with human touch help dogs grow into adults who are comfortable being brushed, examined by the vet, and having their paws and ears checked. When picking up a puppy, support the chest and the hindquarters together rather than lifting by the front legs or the scruff, and keep them close to your body so they feel secure. Sitting on the floor is even safer, since wiggly pups can squirm free without warning. Short, calm sessions work better than long ones, and a treat afterward never hurts.

German Shepherds grow quickly, so moments when an entire litter fits in two hands are fleeting. Within a few months, any single one of these pups will need both arms.

That makes this little armful something to enjoy while it lasts.

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