When a dog just has puppies, what age do the pups have to be before we can touch them with bare hands?

Question

my neibors dog just had puppies yesterday. and they don't know what to do. and we need to know the age they can be touched. and anything else.

Answer 1

The owners of the dog should touch the puppies from day one. Get their scent on the puppies also so that mom isnt threatened with new scents as they are older. The dogs owners should have had the dog long enough to have the dog trust them enough to allow them to touch them. Being a breeder we touch and handle our puppies from day one. it helps make a well rounded puppy.. but, i would avoid strangers handleing the puppies at this time or even neighbors because the momma is not as familar with them. and would have more trust issues, the other thing is, if it seems after they have one of the pups in their hands and momma starts getting anxious, put them back, do it in LITTLE intervales at first.. and make sure mom is secure. If this is momma s first litter I wouldn't pick up the pups but pet her and the pups so she is secure also. and then work from there..

Answer 2

Puppies can be touched right away...even while they are being born. Sometimes it's necessary for the breeder or vet to intervene in the birthing process if the dam is having problems delivering. Just make sure your hands are clean and they are only handles when necessary. The mother should trust the owner, but she will still be concerned if the puppies are taken away for long periods of time. Please respect the mother and her puppies....handling them is fine, but you don't want to upset her or the puppies from being separated from the comfort of mom and litter mates. Always make sure the puppies are nursing well. Keep an eye on them for the first week to make sure they are nursing well and that mom is taking care of them well (attentive to pups, cleaning, and loving). If you see mom pushing a pup away, examine the puppy to make sure he is healthy and if so, encourage mom to let the puppy nurse. Make sure mom and puppies area is clean, warm and safe. Tell you neighbors to go out and buy a book to help them understand all that is involved with raising a litter. Puppies and mom should visit a vet to make sure everything will check out okay and then puppies should have vet check ups and shots and de-worming to make sure they are healthy when going to their new homes at 8 weeks of age. Puppies should start being weaned at 3-4 weeks up to 6 weeks.

Answer 3

You will be able to touch the puppies at any age, but it depends on the mother as she will decide if she trusts you enough to let you be near the puppies. If she is okay with you be there just put your hand next to her and the puppies if she growls, barks or bears her teeth do not bother her any more if shes okay with your hand being there slowly put your hand on her, if shes okay with that then put your hand on one of the puppies, then you know she is okay and trusts you enough. But never pick the puppies up when they sleeping or drinking milk. Never make fast movement and don't allow to many people around her as she may become nervous and lose trust.

Answer 4

Check out the book The Art of Raising A Puppy by the Monks of New Skete. They're a group of monks in NY state who breed and raise German Shepherds and they have an excellent, detailed plan for raising puppies who are well socialized and confident animals. From what I remember of reading the book, they recommend gentle handling early on so the puppies get accostomed to it. But the book is really good for giving guidance.

Answer 5

You should not let the puppies go at 6 weeks. 8 weeks is early enough.

Make sure you tell them not to breed anymore as they don't have a clue. There are to many dogs being put down everyday because of backyard breeders like your neighbors. There are litters and litters put down in shelters constantly because there are to many dogs and not enough homes. Yet your neighbor has the nerve to bring another unwanted, uneeded litter into the world.

Tell your neighbor to do everybody a favor a spay her dog.

Answer 6

The neighbours should be keeping everyone except immediate family away from these puppies until they're much older. They, however, can handle the puppies at birth, just don't try to take them out of the mother's reach and don't handle them so much they make the mother nervous.

Answer 7

You can touch them as soon as they are birthed. I had to help a new mother bulldog when she had her first litter last week because she didn't know what to do at first. It is fine to handle them as long as the mother dog lets you. Make sure they are nursing fine and getting milk. Usually at 5 weeks, you should introduce dry dog food...put water in it to soften it. Then, at 6 weeks, they are ready to be taken away from the mother.

Answer 8

They can be touched as soon as they are delivered from the safety of the dam's body.

BTW- The time to 'know what to do' was BEFORE they bred (by design or neglect) the litter.

Answer 9

You can touch them with your bare hands as early as birth!

Please be sure your hands are clean and be aware of your momma dog's reaction to your handling her pups. Remember, like all mom's she'll be prone to be protective!

Don't shy away from a protective momma dog too too much as she must learn that you don't intend harm to her pups!

mj

Answer 10

You can touch them anytime. Be cautious as the mother dog might growl or be protective of her pups, but you won't harm them by touching them. Their eyes and ears should both be open in about two weeks, and they can usually be weaned as early as 6-8 weeks.