When my second female was having her first litter of pups, I took her to the vet (nothing wrong, just a precaution). She had her third pup in the doctors office. He came in, swooped up the pup, tied the ambilicle cord, cut off the remaining afterbirth and immediately stuck her in the sink to wash her off. I must have had a shocked look on my face when he did this, because he immediately turned to me and said "Well, she's just come out of water, why not?" So I guess it's just a matter of preference. I think the earlier they get used to it, the better off they'll be later. Just make it a pleasureble experience.
Suz |