How old should they be before going to new homes. I have just started feeding them food. What do I have to do to wean them or does the mother chihuahua take care of that?
2007-02-19 15:05:20 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I wait until the puppies are 12 weeks old before they leave home. This allows them to get plenty of time to learn about bite inhibition and about living in a family (learning about household sounds and activities). Puppies also go through a fear period around 8-10 weeks old so this allows them to learn in the environment they feel safe in.
As for weaning, starting RIGHT now, grind puppy food with water to make a paste. Take each puppy an a put some of the paste in their mouth. Do this everyday for about a week and increase the amount you are feeding them until you are giving them all the food they need without momma's milk. Momma can be taken away to dry up after they are eating on their own and drinking some water. Once Momma is dried up, you can give her access to the puppies again. I do this for the momma's health. The nursing is actually more stressful on the momma than the pregnancy. I also have other chihuahuas in the house (including the dad) and they help and play with the puppies too.
In a short time you'll be able to reduce the amount of water until they are eating dry kibble and drinking fresh water.
2007-02-20 05:34:34 · answer #1 · answered by SabrinaD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mother will wean them and you can help by giving the mom some space and time away from the puppies.
The puppies should be 8 weeks old before sending them to their new homes. Many dogs go through a "fear" week in week 7 so this is a VERY bad time to send them into a new situation.
I bet they are adorable!
2007-02-19 15:11:19 · answer #2 · answered by huckleberry 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Awww I'm actually in the market for two small breed pups. How adorable! At three weeks usually you will see a decline in the mothers and the pups interest in nursing. So your not to off. You should start placing a shallow dish of soft food next to the pups and encouraging them to eat it. offer it several times a day for around 30 minutes at a time. Note: this will be messy, the pups do not know how to eat yet and will learn via trial and error. make sure that they are in an aria that is easily cleanable. you can expect them to fall in the food dish more than once. good luck! if you have any more questions regarding these darlings please email me. juke_dragonfly@yahoo.com
2007-02-19 15:18:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Genetics will determine his full grown size. Look at the weight/height of parents, grandparents and siblings (even from previous litters with same parents) and that will give you a good idea. There is so much variation within chihuahuas, but the standard calls for a preference of 4-6lb dogs.
2016-03-29 03:42:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's your big hurry????? 5 1/2 weeks is too young to be introducing them to regular food. Let their mom do her job they need the nutrition from their mothers milk and the security it gives them. When they are are ready to be weaned their mom will let them know. Small breed dogs should not be separated from their moms till 8 to 10 weeks.
2007-02-19 15:23:10 · answer #5 · answered by mother of Bridezilla 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they should not be starting softened food until 8 weeks old. They should not go t.o there new homes until they are 12 weeks old.
They should have atleast 1 vet visit if not 2 before they go
2007-02-23 07:41:14 · answer #6 · answered by Shelly t 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they should be AT LEAST 8-10 weeks old before going to a new home. we bought our dog when he was 6 weeks old, and he had some bad behavior problems that our vet said might be attributed to the fact that we got him too early. they need at least 8-10 weeks with their mom and siblings.
2007-02-19 15:09:41 · answer #7 · answered by mighty_power7 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to wean them. They can be sold after 6 weeks as soon as they are weaned.
2007-02-19 15:34:13 · answer #8 · answered by cherokee 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
They shouldn't go to new homes before eight weeks. They get much of their social skills during that time.
2007-02-19 15:09:50 · answer #9 · answered by Bonnie Z 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
8 weeks they goto a home
2007-02-19 16:02:46 · answer #10 · answered by skxu 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋