She had them the wednesday before Christmas (December 20th, 2006) and they're cute and all....but when can I stop using clean rubber gloves to touch them? Plus she smells HORRIBLE because we've beenn scared to wash her because her babies might not recognize he scent.
2007-01-13 09:38:11 · 13 answers · asked by Tasha.Lovely. 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Good grief - who told you to wear rubber gloves to pick up your own puppies??!?!? You can stop that right now.
You can also bath the mother now but be sure she's been 100% blow dried before you let her back in with the puppies because they can catch a chill very easily. The reason you can't bath a new mom is not because the pups won't recognize her scent - it's because you can't keep her away from newborns for the length of time needed and you can't use shampoo on her when she's nursing - not good for the puppies. You can, however, use baby wipes or even dry shampoo in the spots that need it.
2007-01-13 09:50:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When they're less than a week old you might want to be careful about touching them, but now they're several weeks old, so go ahead and handle them. If you handle them frequently, this will get them used to people and is an important part of the socialization process. Just be sure to have clean hands!
And there's nothing wrong with giving the mother dog a bath. Her puppies will recognize her -- though they're still young, their sense of smell is already way better than yours or mine.
2007-01-13 17:47:52 · answer #2 · answered by Steel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It surprises me she has not licked herself clean.
My dog had 11 pups and we handled them right from the start. We also removed them from her and placed them in a separate basket to sleep and keep warm collectively. This allowed mum to go outside and get some exercise, take a break and clean herself up.
It is mainly the rear end that becomes bloody and you can definitely give the dog a wash in this area if they have fouled themselves and not cleaned up. Don't use highly perfumed soaps. Get a normal dog wash solution or just warm ( not hot) water and sponge the areas where it is unclean.
Pups will be attracted to mum by the need and the smell of milk.
Just don't use chemicals or soap without rinsing well when cleaning her teats. Enjoy the pups!
2007-01-13 17:47:23 · answer #3 · answered by Shelty K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can touch them now. I would have touched them way before now, actually. Yes, you can wash the mom. Just use a mild soap and water. I wouldn't use any flea shampoo. Make sure you rinse her really well and dry her. Good luck.
2007-01-13 17:44:41 · answer #4 · answered by ஐ♥Gin♥ஐ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I think at about 6 weeks you can touch the pups, and you should be able to wash the mom as long as you don't use a strong smelling shampoo.
2007-01-13 17:43:04 · answer #5 · answered by luv my dogs 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
YOU CAN TOUCH THEM!! and wash her!
My dog has had a litter and is having her 2nd, we helped her threw her labor and touched each puppy as they were coming out and everyday there after. it gets them used of people's touch.
your dog won't care if you touch them your her human, but if outsides come in then yea she will fill out. only people in your in household should be handling these puppies!
don't let anyone off the street come touch them because then they could get sick.
2007-01-13 17:53:33 · answer #6 · answered by kioana j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are pets, pets are different than wild animals and tho you can not touch a wild animals babies for fear that she will no longer look after them, pets are different. Pets trust us after all we do provide loving homes and good food. Your puppys will be fine if you love on them and hold them for a while just remember not to hold them to long or they could get sore eyes.
2007-01-17 06:08:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can stop using rubbers now. its ok to touch those cute lil ones with your bare hands. just wash your hands after you touch them though, because u might stink as well. what kinda dog do u have though, just curious
2007-01-13 17:45:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can touch them, it's fine. Your dog won't care and neither will they. They are nearly a month odl, it's perfectly okay. As far as washing your dog, you can do that as well. They all will be fine!
2007-01-13 17:41:50 · answer #9 · answered by MasLoozinIt76 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the beginning she may be fiercely protective, but as soon as the puppies start wandering off, she probably willl not care anymore. If you ask me they know their mom when they see her, so you can wash her.
Ask your vet
2007-01-13 17:57:17 · answer #10 · answered by ♫ayayay♫ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋