[smartpuppiepets]

I usually wean my puppies by 6 weeks old and separate them from mom, i do keep her visiting the puppies with a "onesie" on to prevent nursing , she comes in 3 times a day to play and interact.
by 8 weeks old my puppies are eating the "mush" i make by putting the dry food on the blender, make a powder like , and mix it with water for them, more liquid and mush on the beginning and gradually making it more solid. introduce the dry kibles, usually by 9 to 10 weeks old my puppies are eating the dry food only.
Mom always comes in to play and interact with them but no nursing after 6 weeks.
The eclampsia and low calcium or milk fever can happen so you need to protect mom, specially in a larger litter like 5 puppies.
It is important that you give mom a resting time away from the puppies and prepare her for normal life after puppies are placed. Make sure to take her for walks, play time one on one away from the puppies. She did an awesome job, she deserves that too.
Low calcium can make females act weird.
Also it is nice to separate the puppies slow, not sudden. That is why we start with 3 visits, then 2 visits a day ... then 1 visit closed to the time the puppies are getting ready to go to new homes.
We make sure to also give moms plenty of attention as we wean puppies ... they deserve it !

XOXO