Question on Weaning and puppies I need some help. I have 5 yorkie pups that were born 19 days ago. No, they were not planned - when I got the mom 6 weeks ago she was pregnant. This is my very first experience with puppies and so far so good. But...from birth they have been in a whelping box, today the puppies are climbing/falling out and walking(scooting) around. I pulled the box out and they are now in an enclosed pen/yard in the house with space to sleep, do their business, play and eat (for mom). My problem is the mom will not feed them unless I put the whelping box back in and put all of them in the box every time they are hungry...is this normal and do I need to just keep doing this?? |
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And yes, you need to keep doing this. I hope you are giving mom as many meals as she wants and at least one scrambled egg a day with a calcium supplement? Three weeks of age but, up to 6 weeks after whelp a female can experience eclampsia. Also, remember mom is very protective of her pups and wants privacy when she nurses.... |
OK I will put them all back in and just keep picking up and putting back in when they get out. Mom eats at least 5-6 times per day with a scrambled egg every morning for breakfast and is on a calcium supplement. I keep them warm and out of any drafts. I was not expecting them to be this active this soon. I sure wasn't expecting them to starting peeing everywhere so soon either - they just kinda pee and scoot!! She seems to be a good mom but she does have a few quirks. When one of the pups gets too far from her and starts to cry - she will bark until I come in and move the pup back to her! She is also staying out of the whelping box way more than I had anticipated at this time. Pups continue to gain weight and look very healthy so I guess everything is good. At birth they weight 3-4 ounces and now they are 12 - 15 ounces. Any more advice on what to expect as they grow would be great! thanks..shelley |
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I usually line the entire play pen with washable pee pads and change the whelping box bedding at least 3 times a day. So yes we're kept pretty busy and it'll only get worse, wait till she begins their training in earnest......about 8 weeks of age.....and when you begin offering them food....oh my so messy. Just keep asking questions and we'll keep answering. The one piece of advice is that never expect the norm. Your work is not done until these pups go to their forever home. |
Thank you so much for your help. I thought it was way to early for them to be so active - I have 3 that are up on all fours walking!! It was freaking me out!! The hard work is so worth it - they are absolutely wonderful and the best thing is I have already found wonderful homes with people I have known for years and they have each signed a spay/neuter contract!! I am so excited. I was planning on keeping them for at least 12 weeks until I let them go. Do you think this is too early or should I wait and see how they are doing and then decide? |
Congrats on the litter.... Boy are you in for an experience... just wait until they get older, that is when it really gets fun. They will deffinatly need room to roam in a safe enclosure. You could try putting the whelping box inside you play yard area. That way they are both safe and have the room to explore. And you keep mamma' happy at the same time. Maybe even cut an opening in the the side of the box to allow pups to leave and to reenter on their own. If you do cut the box be sure to cover with a good sturdy masking tape to protect against any blistering in the material when it was cut. |
That is a great idea on the whelping box I will definitely try it!! I have put the whelping box in the play area at least then I don't have to worry about them getting lost!!! It is an incredible experience but it is one that I never want to do again. I also know I would not have made it through without all of the help I have received here at YT!!!!! |
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Great on the spay/nueter contract. |
I think I will go for the 16 weeks so I can make sure to get all of their tests, shots, etc. done so I won't worry! I also didn't know about the 2 pounds so I will definitely wait on that one too. Thanks for all of the help and I am SURE I will have lots of questions over the next 14 weeks!! |
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