I have a golden retriever that just had puppies. When do I need to make sure the puppies are not going to the mom for milk anymore. Right now they are 8 weeks old. We are feeding them constantly puppy food. But, whenever they get a chance they always want to go to mom for milk. When does that need to be totally cut off?
Also, her breasts are hanging way down. Will they come back to normal after the puppies are gone?
2007-04-05 02:30:00 · 5 answers · asked by borgerm 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I am not sure where in my question it said "I didn't think about when to ween them" before breeding. I am trying to balance her being able to play with the puppies and the puppies suckling on her when ever they get an opportunity. The puppies seem to be very healthy I am more worried about the mom. Thanks,
2007-04-05 04:37:44 · update #1
LOL I'm sorry but it is a bit funny to me. Your dam has done her job. The pups are 8 weeks old and they really don't need to nurse off mom any more. If your dam is willing to let them nurse then let her. The pups will always go for mom if they get the chance. If your going to be finding new homes for the pups soon then stop them from nursing from mom. It will take a few months for your Golden to get her shape back some never get the total look back after birthing and nursing. A good diet fo the mom is really important and excersise. As the milk dries out she will be able to get her girlish figure back.
Sounds like you did a great job and thanks for keeping the pups until they were at least 8 weeks old.
P.S. You did a great job no mater what some say here. They dont know the breed and how important it is for Goldens to nurse their pups beyond the 5 week period. You know the ignorance is bliss thing??????
2007-04-05 02:39:03 · answer #1 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well I don't have goldens all I have are my little Shih Tzu's. I can tell you what I do and my dog looks darn good for a dog that just had puppies. By the ninth week everything is back in shape and she looks great. First of all I want to say at 8 weeks old they are ready for their own home.
I leave the puppies with mom as long as she is willing to nurse them then I let her.. She is the mommy and she knows what is best for her babies. At four weeks i keep mom with them a lot, things can get overwhelming at this age and mom will add stability for them, each pup i will give individual attention and i begin to offer them food that is the consisitency of cooked oatmeal when they were five weeks old i reduce fluids in the puppies food make sure other people start coming to see pups and begin weanin. i will play a radio at normal volume near the pups for for about five mintues at a time.. at that time i will reduce amout of food to discourage milk development ... I am sorry tom but I do not agree with you on how you wean your puppies. at six weeks i offer soft damp food then i will give each puppy time with me away from the litter. Seven week the puppies should be wean, again I leave this up to my dog.. but they are on regular puppy food. Not only do i wean them I let her wean them and keep them puppies with her until the end.. she does better that way.. She gets use to a puppy being gone.. I am afraid I will have to agree with golden on this one.. Like I said I no nothing about Goldens , but I do know a lot about Shih Tzu and what I do works real good for me.
2007-04-05 13:05:10 · answer #2 · answered by china 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They should have been separated from their mother three weeks ago, but the puppy's should have been kept together as a litter until right now. At 8 weeks they can be going to their new homes.
I always start the weaning process at 28 days (4 weeks) by separating the puppy's from their mother during the day, and feeding them puppy kibble mixed with warm water in a blender. Then putting them back with their mother at night. At 35 days (5 weeks) I separate the litter from their mother completely and put them on a 4x a day feeding schedule.
All you are doing by keeping the pups with their mother until 8 weeks old is allowing the mother's health to deteriorate far more than what is necessary.
Goldengal
I have been breeding retrievers for over 50 years with numerous titled dogs comming from my kennels. So I guess you and I will just have to agree to dissagree on the longer than 5 weeks thing.
5 week old retrievers in training (introductions)
http://www.hunt101.com/img/439232.jpg
(there is a puppy in that pic that is now an FC-AFC)
2007-04-05 02:43:06 · answer #3 · answered by tom l 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
These are all things you should have known BEFORE breeding not asking after the fact.
At 8 weeks they are old enough for first vaccinations, vet exam and to go to their new homes. They can still nurse from mom as long as she will allow it.
Her breasts may or may not totally return to normal.
Puppies should stay with mom up until they go to their new homes.
2007-04-05 02:55:23 · answer #4 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
puppies should be seperated from the mum at about 5 weeks
this is know as weening.
so dont let them go back to her untill she is dryed up.
they should be redy to go to new homes a 8 weeks
u should of known this before even mateing the dog.
2007-04-05 02:43:23 · answer #5 · answered by Joanne 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I agree with Dane Lover. This should have been covered in the research you did before you bred your dog. *sigh*
Spay and neuter!
2007-04-05 03:18:46 · answer #6 · answered by pandora 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋