My pups will be 6 weeks tomorrow?

Question

they are weaned and the mom really doesn't pay any attention to them... can I give them to their new owners yet?

Answer 1

NO! The pups should stay together until at least 8 weeks old. They learn so much between 5 and 8 weeks about body language, communication, bite inhibition, pack structure, etc. Almost every pup that I have seen that was separated from its mom and litter before 8 weeks has behavior problems.

Answer 2

Check the laws in your state. In Calfironia breeders, pet shops, and shelter cannot release pups until they're 8 weeks of age and have had their first two DHLPP (combination) vaccines.

At 6 weeks the pup's immune system isn't functioning well, and putting the pup into a new environment can impact on its system negatively. Also, puppies don't start showing their real personalities until they're 8 or 9 weeks old, so the adopters will not have a clear idea of the temperament of the pup they're adopting.

They're also supposed to be learning "pack manners" from their mom at this time, and their behavior could be impacted negatively if they aren't allowed to interact with mom and their littermates for a few more weeks.

If possible, allow people to pay the adoption fee (if you're charging one) but keep the pups with you until they're 8 weeks old and properly vaccinated. It's a good idea to have them wormed at this time, too.

Answer 3

At one time six weeks was a good time to find puppies a good home. Breeders are finding that 8 weeks is better. Spending the extra time with there mother gave them more skills taught by her making them better and more secure pets. I would start advertising at this time letting the future owners know that they'll be ready in two weeks. I would keep them one a puppy food diet. But allow them to hang and engage in play with there mother. I would also take the time to help them interact with people so they would be more adjusted to the big change ahead of them.

Answer 4

You can , but only with explicit instructions, or they will die. Try these....

Most breeders will not allow pups to nurse from the Mom longer than 5 weeks. They are introduced to a starter or weaning formula at about 24 days of age when the pups will be able to begin eating on their own. One of the best ways to wean puppies is to present them with a semi-liquid nourishment in a shallow pan such as a cookie baking sheet. Gently place the pups at the edge of the food, push their little chins into the food and they will smell it and begin to lick the mixture you prepared. It's really fun to watch them light up at their first taste of puppy formula! Once they get a taste of the food they usually consume it in earnest. This process of starting on puppy weaning formula can begin at three weeks of age and within a week they will be looking for that special treat we call puppy food! Gradually thicken the formula with ground up dry puppy food or begin adding canned puppy food to their weaning mixture. By five weeks of age they should be eating four meals a day of a high quality puppy food. You can break up kibble so it is smaller than packaged or soak it a bit in warm water to soften. It is a good idea to get pups acquainted with both canned and dry food.
NOTE! Always have fresh and clean water available. Introduce the pups to the water dish as you did to the puppy weaning formula.

What type of starter formula to use is up to the new Owners discretion, but take this advice from me as experience:

I have not been a fan of condensed milk because of the chance of not diluting it enough and if fed as is from the can may cause what is called an osmotic diarrhea. The sugars and other concentrated substances draw water into the intestine in an attempt to neutralize the condensed milk and this results in loose stool and puppy stress. I always recommend a "puppy specific" milk replacer rather than human labeled products. That's not to say that human baby milk replacers will be bad for dogs but the puppy products are designed with proper ratios of fats and proteins and sugars tailored for canine physiology. There are a number of good Puppy Milk Replacers such as Esbilac and KMR that can be used according to directions. The milk replacers can be fed at birth if necessary (if the *****'s milk isn't available for some reason). Also, these milk replacers can be a part of home-made starter or weaning formulas.

Make sure you pass along the info off this forum to the new owner(s). It's all good advice.

Luck!

Answer 5

Yes as long as they are weaned, make sure the owners are aware that they are only 6 weeks

Answer 6

No - this is the time they need to learn social skills taught by their mom and litter mates. It's really important not to remove them from the litter until they're 8 weeks old. This is also a good time for family members to play with the puppies to make sure they're well socialized with people too.

Answer 7

I would not, i got my puppy at 6 weeks old, and because she was so young she had not yet learned from her mother(or her litter mates) that it is impolite to bite. We spent a few days house training her, and several months training her not to bite us. Wait a week more, the future owners will appreciate it, and personally, I wouldn't want to see a litter of puppies disappear from my house quickly!

Answer 8

being ready to be rehome is not JUST about eating on their own.It is about learning manners from the mother dog.8 weeks is about the minimum age you should let the pups go to their new homes.

Answer 9

Nope.Better wait until they're 8 weeks.They're well vaccinated and ready to face the new environment. I mean..to be far and away from their family -it's kinda hard for pups, right?

Btw....can i have one? :-)

Answer 10

Go for it. Whatever is the best for your puppies, do it. That shows a good owner. Trust me :-)