WEANING PUPPIES - Page 1

How much time spent away from Mom and out of the whelping box does 3 1/2 week old puppies need? I like to get them out a little every day to roll around in the grass. They seem to enjoy it but I don't want to do too much too soon. Any info is appreciated.

Make sure they don't get cold. At this time of year that would be my biggest concern. Bladder infections can happen very quickly when they spend time on cool ground. The air temperature may be warm, but the ground may still be cool and possibly damp. When they start to get tired, put them back. At this age, they would not venture far from the den. Just stay around the edges of it and go back at first sign of trouble and as soon as they get tired or cool. I would also keep mom with them during the first outings. Mom can be kept away from the whelping box for a while now. Some females distance themselves and only go back with the litter for nursing when pups are that age. Some seems glued to the litter. Either way is fine. If the female wants to get away from the pups you should give her the chance to do so. I would always keep her in the same room though, so that she can go back in with the pups as she sees fit. If she wants to stay with the litter she should be able to do that too.

I wanna thank D.H., for hes advise in 2 years i plan on breeding so this is great advise, im so glade this web site is here,i do alot of reading and buying cd, on whelping, so any info you pros, out there give is so appercated highly, do you know any good cd, or books, on whelping??? thanks for your info.. Giggles

Giggles, Leerburg.com has a great video on whelping. It covers alot . Read over ColeHaus post 3.5 weeks ago ,I forget the titles,but alot of info is in there as well. Cole D.H. has very good advise. Do you remember the names of the 2 posts for Giggles? Sounds like you are right on schedule with the pups.

unfortunately, one of them was "Please Help Me, Bitch Ate 3 pups" Giggles, please have a back up plan. Don't know your situation, but go back about 3 weeks and look at my posts. EVERYTHING that could go wrong went wrong. But, my puppies are doing excellent and thriving. Long story short, my dog had a first litter of 9 and was scared, in pain and stressed. I am sure I added an inordinate amount of stress also as it was my first litter. She had the pups, cleaned them up and had eaten 2 before I realized what was happening. I was checking on her every 15 min. That is how fast it was happening. Needless to say, I had to use some serious obedience (DOWN STAY-don't even think about getting up!) to let them nurse her for the first week. Also, bottle feeding every 2 hours. Literally, raising 4 newborns. I'm definitely humbled by the whole experience. Learn a lot from this messageboard.

Giggles, if you care to leave your email, I will be happy to give you the info I have. I would reccommend as part of your back up plan a list of those who have been through the worst case scenario and are willing to be available to help you. I hope you never need it but some of us are ok with helping. You never think of certain things,no matter how much you prepare

I really like the set up we have... We whelp puppies in bedroom, they stay there till about 4 weeks, Then outside to a covered 10X10 sawdust bedded stall (if you will) with a 4x4 kennel wire gate. The gates stays shut most of the time for the first week, with it being opened for about 2 hours during mid day every day. Then the gate stays open for all daylight hours and is closed for them at night. eventually the gate just stays open. It's really nice, pups come in house every night for socialization and people time, and almost never potty in house, they cry at the door to go outside. We love this set up it's awesome, oh the yard surrounding the stall area is about 500 sqare feet or so. Perfect size. Anyway hope that helps, but thought I would share as it's been a perfect set up for us.

EchoMeadows, Here on our farm we have a similar set up. I'm in the south so we have pretty nice weather in the fall. Giggles, gsdlvr2 has my email if you have any questions about anything. I'm not an expert but learned a lot from this litter and whole experience.