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by fawndallas on 13 May 2012 - 23:05
Ok, puppies are 4 weeks old. Some have been eating solid mush puppy food for 2 weeks (of their own decision). All have been eating solid mush puppy food for a week.
Rose is definitely tired of nursing. At best she nurses for 5 minutes & mostly when I insist she stays there.
Is it ok to completely wean them at this point?
If so, any suggestions to dry up Rose?
To completely wean them, do I separate Rose from them 100% and how long?
We had another jail break today; laundry basket no longer keeps them in their room. We have had to up grade to baby/puppy gate which also prevents Rose from easily getting to them.
by aceofspades on 14 May 2012 - 00:05
I wouldn't wean fully. Mom will know when she is done. The natural weaning process is a learning tool for the puppies. The mom teaches them boundaries. The growling at the puppies by mom is normal and natural and teaches them respect and boundaries. Our family bred small dogs growing up and many times the pups were still nursing right up until they went to their new family. We left it up to the mom to decide when she was done. Some people will separate after 5 weeks but I always felt that the lessons that the mom teaches them during the weaning process is very important.
At this point I would cut the puppies nails and Rose will probably just stand up to feed them soon if she isn't there already.
by fawndallas on 14 May 2012 - 00:05
I think the "I'm done is more from the puppy teeth.". One must have bit hard last week because Rose yelped.
by dogshome9 on 14 May 2012 - 01:05
I also let mom work out when the time is right. At 4 weeks most moms still want to be with them even if it is only for a few minutes, the puppies have to learn what is and what is not appropriate behavior and some respect.
My bitches usually just pop in, walk around tell the puppies off for wanting to feed and after a couple of minutes she will lay down and feed for a short time, clean them up and leaves.
They will normally do this 3 or 4 times a day. Most will do this almost up to the time the pups are ready to leave.
Doing it this way the bitch will dry up herself as she give them less and less time at the milk bar.
by fawndallas on 14 May 2012 - 01:05
How do I do this without forcing Rose to stay in the room when she does not want to? My only options to keep puppies in now is shut door or baby gate. Either way, Rose is either forced in or out of the room. How do you as a breeder handle this part; other than letting puppies have more free roam (not what I am willing to do)
Is it ok to let Rose in when I do and not only when she wants to?
by SitasMom on 14 May 2012 - 03:05
put a barrier up (baby gate) so that mama can jump over and see her pups when she wants to.
a 18" board will also work...if you want to get creative.
a 18" board will also work...if you want to get creative.
by aceofspades on 14 May 2012 - 03:05
You do not need to force her to go in. Rose should be able to jump the gate to get in and out when she wants too. We started with a 24" high enclosure and that is super easy for a female to jump and by 8 weeks the enclosure would be Abiut 40" high and mom can still get in and out as she needed.
She will go in and out all on her own.
by ziegenfarm on 14 May 2012 - 05:05
just make sure the barrier doesn't come loose and fall on the pups. it needs to be secure enough that it doesn't fall if she jumps in or out.
pjp
pjp
by fawndallas on 14 May 2012 - 16:05
Lol.... Yes Rose was able to find a way last night to the puppies. She found the side of the gate that allows you to push it open like a door...... I forgot how smart Rose was at figuring things out.
Now if I can just teach her to shut the gate door back closed when she leaves......hmmm maybe simuliar concept as opening the fridge.
by LOVE THY SHEPHERD on 14 May 2012 - 16:05
I HAVE HAD GERMAN SHEPHERDS FOR OVER 20 YEARS NOW. I CAN'T BELIEVE THE RESPONSES OF SOME PEOPLE. LOL
AT THIS POINT YOU HAVE TO SLOWLY WEAN THEM OFF HER, IF NOT SHE WILL GET MASTITIS. THIS IS NOT ONLY I
BELIEVE PAINFUL FOR MOM BUT IS VERY SERIOUS CONDITION. PUT PUPS IN WITH HER ONCE A DAY AND AT NIGHT.
ABOUT ONE WEEK, THEN ONCE A DAY FOR A WEEK. MAKE SURE THAT HER TITS ARE NOT TOO SCARRED UP, AND NOT
HOT ! THAT IS A SIGN OF MASTITIS. GOOD LUCK IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR A NEWBIE AND UNDER STRESS, MAYBE U
SHOULD LEAVE THE BREEDING TO THE PROS. AND JUST ENJOY YOUR DOG.
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