Pup's age (Need pics to compare) - Page 1

Hi All, I want to start off saying I don't want this thread to turn into "how could you's", how illegal, or how wrong it is. The fact is it has happened and although I don't think it is right and that the pup should still be with her mom and litter at least until 8 weeks, it won't change anything as this person already has the pup and I am assuming the "breeder" won't take it back as she or he sold all the pups. Anyways...A friend of my brother's recently acquired a "4 week old GSD pup." I was asked to train it and thought, boy this must be a 4 month old pup, not 4 weeks. Anyways I happened to see the friend in question while meeting someone for lunch and in a shoe box he had this little bitch. He was told it was 4 weeks old and I have a feeling that it could be as young as 3 weeks. I was wondering if any of you who have bred GSD litters and have pictures from the 3rd week and 4th week so I can compare them to this pup so that she can get the right nutrition (formula or food) and we can take steps to ensure she has a healthy head start that will lead to a healthy, happy life. Also what activities or any milestones occur in each week's age. I helped raise 2 litters of labradors as well as a litter of bullmastiffs (mostly cleaning and changing newspapers and disinfecting the whelping areas, but also got to play with and care for the pups). Unfortunately, this was quite a few years ago, 7 for my first litter and 4 for the last and I don't have pics and can hardly remember what they really did because as they were not my litters, I didn't keep detailed notes. Private e-mails would probably be best. Earellano@gmail.com. I thank anyone in advance that can help me out. Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth, I have e-mailed the address given with some feeding info and an emergency drink as well, hope this helps with the little girl. Also, added a picture for you to look at. Will try and find some more photos and send them on in another e-mail. How disgraceful to sell or rehome puppies at that age. They need their mum to teach them lots of things. But on the other hand there have been many hand-reared puppies that make good progress also (usually due to the death of the mum etc)- she needs lots of time to sleep and use her food to grow properly. I would use a small cage with warm bedding and some soft toys for cuddling and let her play when she wants to - not when you want to. She will probably be house trained very quickly and learn very quickly. Best wishes

Hi Elizabeth, have sent you pictures from my litter at 3/4 and 5 weeks. I knew there would be a good reason for taking pictures every week as a record. Hope they are of some assistance and best wishes to the baby girl.

most pups can lap from a dish at 4 wks, before that a bottle is usually necessary. not a hard and fast rule, but might give you an idea of the pup's age. also, i highly recommend using goat milk for little ones. i've always had good success with it. if you have no access to fresh goat milk, the canned stuff in the grocery store will work. plenty of fat for growing bodies, easily digested and they don't scour from it.