Weaning/Separating Question - YorkieTalk.com Forums

BamaFan121s · 11-29-2005, 01:00 PM

Trixie's pups are 6 weeks today. They are eating good amounds of food VERY regularly now. Hard, whole, food--not softened at all. I have been trying to separate them from Trixie, but how do I know how long to separate them. They still try to nurse some, but Trixie quickly runs away, so I don't think that will be a problem much longer. My problem is Trixie is driving me nuts! I am trying to keep them separated more and more. How do I know how long to keep them apart? After about 1-1 1/2 hours, Trixie is trying to get in the room with them...but only for a few minutes, then she is done with them for another hour or so. I assume that she knows when she should be with them. Do I need to gradually keep them apart longer and longer, or for 1/2 day or so all at once? Mainly, what about at night? Do I keep them separated the whole night now, or do I need to keep them in the same room? Trixie acts more concerned than the puppies do that they are separated. I guess my question is, when should they be completely self dependant and not needing their mommy anymore...I need some sort of goal.

ldenise · 11-29-2005, 01:14 PM

I am interested in the answers too. i am right behind ya in the ages. hard food? wow. I am really far behind ya in that area!

BamaFan121s · 11-29-2005, 01:21 PM

Yeah...I'd been trying to get them to eat mush and softened food since about 4 weeks, but they were not interested AT ALL...plus, everytime I would so much a glance the other way, Trixie would eat it!

They would play with the hard food, but whacha gonna do with no teeth? As soon as they got those suckers in though, they were tearing into that stuff...if they prefer that, have at it!!!

I really have to try to get even a little milk from Trixie now, so them not eating from her doesn't seem to be the problem...

YorkieShadow · 11-29-2005, 01:37 PM

We never seperated are mommys from their Babies. The Mommys seen to get away from them when she wants to.

shyorkies · 11-29-2005, 07:38 PM

I start to wean my pups when I know my mama wants to not help care for her babies anymore.. I never have a set age to start weaning them, as each litter is different.. My Flirt's girls are 7 weeks old and they have just been completely weaned since Saturday.. I usually start by seperating the mama from the babies for the day and usually mama will want back in with the babies at night.. I do that for about 3-4 fours days then I completely take mama away from them.. I do not start vaccinations until my pups are completely weaned for a couple of weeks, if you vaccinate your pups and let them nurse the vaccination is no good..

Melanie

YorkyMommy · 11-29-2005, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YorkieShadow

We never seperated are mommys from their Babies. The Mommys seen to get away from them when she wants to.

This has also been my experience. Mom spends more and more time away from the bunch at her leisure. Our pups would occasionally nurse, I'm sure more for nurture than nutrition, until the Mom was tired of it (6? 7? wks). After a while their time together was more social and playful then feeding time. I would say by 5 - 6 weeks for sure, Mom would be back at the foot of our bed at night, and the pups would be fine by themselves. Each litter is a little different, we've always just went with the flow.

BamaFan121s · 11-30-2005, 07:44 AM

I appreciate all of the feedback. That is pretty much what I thought, but you know, sometimes you wonder and worry so much that you start to second guess yourself! The pups are currently living in my bathroom (nothing to get into, right by my bedroom, my 4 year old can't get in...) We have kept Trixie in with them when we are not there and at night, but out when we are there. She seems to have no problem letting us know when she wants in, so I will try letting her say out from them tonight. There is no way to let her have access to come and go without doing the same for the pups and it is too dangerous for them to have free rome of our house!
Thanks Again!

YorkieRini · 12-01-2005, 05:44 AM

Like Melanie said every litter's different. I wait till mom says enough. Then I put her in only for feeding time; every 2-3 hrs. When they are nibbling on the soft food. I feed them first before I put momma back this way their bellys have something in them as time goes on they eat more and drink less. When I leave for long periods of time more then 3 hrs. I just leave mom in there. She doens't protest if I'm not home..lolol.

Hugs,
Irene

11-29-2005, 01:00 PM	#1
BamaFan121s YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,304	Weaning/Separating Question Trixie's pups are 6 weeks today. They are eating good amounds of food VERY regularly now. Hard, whole, food--not softened at all. I have been trying to separate them from Trixie, but how do I know how long to separate them. They still try to nurse some, but Trixie quickly runs away, so I don't think that will be a problem much longer. My problem is Trixie is driving me nuts! I am trying to keep them separated more and more. How do I know how long to keep them apart? After about 1-1 1/2 hours, Trixie is trying to get in the room with them...but only for a few minutes, then she is done with them for another hour or so. I assume that she knows when she should be with them. Do I need to gradually keep them apart longer and longer, or for 1/2 day or so all at once? Mainly, what about at night? Do I keep them separated the whole night now, or do I need to keep them in the same room? Trixie acts more concerned than the puppies do that they are separated. I guess my question is, when should they be completely self dependant and not needing their mommy anymore...I need some sort of goal.

11-29-2005, 01:14 PM	#2
ldenise YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rancho Viejo, Tx Posts: 2,684	I am interested in the answers too. i am right behind ya in the ages. hard food? wow. I am really far behind ya in that area! __________________ Buckeye, Ahia, Tressie, Archie & LDenise Dogs are really people with short legs in fur coats

11-29-2005, 01:37 PM	#4
YorkieShadow Yorkie Shadows are the best Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: USA Posts: 8,299 Blog Entries: 2	We never seperated are mommys from their Babies. The Mommys seen to get away from them when she wants to. __________________ Keeping Baby Emma in my Thoughts & Prayers. Pee Pads Blow Out Sale www.Pee-Pads.com/FreeShipping

11-30-2005, 07:44 AM	#7
BamaFan121s YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,304	Thanks! I appreciate all of the feedback. That is pretty much what I thought, but you know, sometimes you wonder and worry so much that you start to second guess yourself! The pups are currently living in my bathroom (nothing to get into, right by my bedroom, my 4 year old can't get in...) We have kept Trixie in with them when we are not there and at night, but out when we are there. She seems to have no problem letting us know when she wants in, so I will try letting her say out from them tonight. There is no way to let her have access to come and go without doing the same for the pups and it is too dangerous for them to have free rome of our house! Thanks Again!

12-01-2005, 05:44 AM	#8
YorkieRini Livin' La Yorkie Local Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 1,607	Like Melanie said every litter's different. I wait till mom says enough. Then I put her in only for feeding time; every 2-3 hrs. When they are nibbling on the soft food. I feed them first before I put momma back this way their bellys have something in them as time goes on they eat more and drink less. When I leave for long periods of time more then 3 hrs. I just leave mom in there. She doens't protest if I'm not home..lolol. Hugs, Irene __________________ Irene www.stellaryorkies.com "Live everyday as it if it were your last!"

11-29-2005, 01:21 PM	#3
BamaFan121s YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,304	Yeah...I'd been trying to get them to eat mush and softened food since about 4 weeks, but they were not interested AT ALL...plus, everytime I would so much a glance the other way, Trixie would eat it! They would play with the hard food, but whacha gonna do with no teeth? As soon as they got those suckers in though, they were tearing into that stuff...if they prefer that, have at it!!! I really have to try to get even a little milk from Trixie now, so them not eating from her doesn't seem to be the problem...

11-29-2005, 07:38 PM	#5
shyorkies Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: midwest Posts: 572	I start to wean my pups when I know my mama wants to not help care for her babies anymore.. I never have a set age to start weaning them, as each litter is different.. My Flirt's girls are 7 weeks old and they have just been completely weaned since Saturday.. I usually start by seperating the mama from the babies for the day and usually mama will want back in with the babies at night.. I do that for about 3-4 fours days then I completely take mama away from them.. I do not start vaccinations until my pups are completely weaned for a couple of weeks, if you vaccinate your pups and let them nurse the vaccination is no good.. Melanie