First Litter--HELP!! My yorkie Elsa had three beautiful pups on November 30, 2010. She has been a great mother until lately I have noticed her not wanting to be in the bed with them as much or really not hardly at all. She cleans them and their surroundings very well but when they go to feed on her she usually steps out of the bed and lays somewhere else in my room. When she does feed them it's not for a very long time...maybe around 5-7 minutes and then out of the bed she goes. What's wrong? They are not crying out and really, they sleep alot. Am I interfering too much? Please someone give me advice. Should I be concerned or step back? I have grown up with yorkies and silkies but never have bred before(maybe never again---I am a nervous wreck!!! LOL) Any advice or experiences someone can offer/tell me might help to keep me from going bonkers. THANKS.................:animal-pa |
If the puppies are not crying they are getting enough to eat. It is natural for her to start moving away from them a little more at 3 weeks. You probbly saw her almost not wanting to move away from the pups at all for the first 2 weeks. I actually had to physiclaly pick mine up and take her outside for potty breaks as she did not seem to want to leave them at all those first 2 weeks. But by the 3rd week they venture away a little more and do not nurse non-stop. That is fine. Next week you will get to start adding some puppy food and that will give momma even more break time. :) Novice ex-breeder with lots of research and only 2 yorkie litters. :) |
How old is the mother? Has she had puppies before? Each dog is different on how they handle it. More info is helpful to determine what could be going on. |
Some Mommies are more attentive than others, but nothing sounds out of the ordinary from your post. So long as the pups are gaining and aren't in any distress they sound fine. They should start scuttle-buttin' around soon, getting their legs under them and may become interested in food in the next week or so. Best of luck with your babies. |
This is normal for some bitches. I have some that will lay 6 weeks with them and hardly move from their site..then I have a few that after a week they find a place close they can watch but don't want to be with them all the time. If she is cleaning them and they seem full I wouldn't worry. Also as they get bigger they suck harder so it doesn't take as long to fill them up Hope this helps and if you have any more questions feel free to Pm or call me I would be happy to speak to you. |
Weigh the pups daily, if they are gaining steadily, they are getting enough to eat. Check for dehydration. But, as other's stated if they aren't crying and they are sleeping, gaining, they're content. Remember mom's milk only lets down every 2 hours. Your pups are a bit older now and stronger in their sucking, it doesn't require much to empty mom out. Also, at about the 5th week, pup's milk teeth start to come in, mom will be more reluctant to allow them to nurse. Another thing to keep in mind is the consistency of her milk begins to change (not as rich), so, this is a good age to "begin" the weaning process. |
I had one that did not want to be in with them at 3 weeks. She would go in and let them nurse and then want back out. So I would put her in 3 times a day and supplement in between with Goats milk and baby rice cereal. They did great. Like Melissa said, some won't leave their side and others want to be out. |
Thank you guys for your reply. I feel alot better now! Merry Christmas to all. |
You sound a bit like me when our Aussie had her first litter. About 3-4 weeks after the births, she started doing the same thing. I was so worried that she wasn't giving them enough attention. I found out on here that it's quite "normal". Good luck with the babies! |
Sounds a lot like the variations of human moms! :D |
my female has had three litters of seven and she leaves them very early also just goes in to clean and nurse and then right back out . |
Get this, they are 7 weeks old now and she still nurses them. Nowhere as much but everytime she goes in there they attack her and she stands there. They are in my bedroom with me and that is where Elsa sleeps--in my bed. Been trying to get them to eat puppy food(every way I can think of) and they are stubborn!! I am going to put a onesie on her tomorrow. Guess I worried for nothing. I feel she has gone above and beyond her duty, one fantastic mother. I love her!!! |
I would not put a onesie on her. She can move away if she wants. Let her take care of when to stop. My girl nursed her pups all along too. They nursed a little right up til 12 weeks. They were getting all of their requirements from puppy food by then, but they did still like a little nursing time and as long as momma allows it, it is fine. My momma did not stand still long in those later weeks but at 7 weeks she would still let them nurse quite a bit. |
Thank you FiDebra. As always I welcome the advice. You guys on YT always make me feel better and I have learned so much here. Have a great day. |
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