What should we keep our adventurous puppies in?

Question

OK, so we just got a dog from the humane society about a month ago and they told us that she was spayed, but sure enough she had a litter of puppies a couple of weeks ago. Now, this was very unexpected and needless to say we are a little unprepared and tight on resources. The puppies all have their eyes open and are starting to move around a lot. Right now, they are in a wading pool with blankets and a heating pad that the mother can come and go from as she pleases. I was wondering what the next step should be. We still have 2 to 3 weeks before we ween them of course, but until then, what can we put them in, or how should we puppy-proof the area? They are in a warm section of our back room (we live in an apartment). Please help?

Answer 1

wow... suprise!

First, you should get an exersice pen to hold them up in. But you state you are limited in resources. I understand that.

I would puppy proof the room you are keeping them in, and depending on what type of dog they are, try putting a large tray of sod in there for their potty area. pick the poo out every time they eat and go and change the sod at least every other day. If you have plastic tarps... put those down all over the place and gate the area off. Remember the puppies are going to be interested in the seams of the tarps, so make sure the edges are secure and pups can not get to them.

Next, invite people over to play with the puppies at 5, 6, 7, and 8 weeks. get them used to new people and let perspective new owners get to know the puppies. This is important socialization.

And most importantly, don't seperate them till at least 8 weeks. 9 if you can stand it. This is very important to their developement. They are learning bite inhibition during that time. They will look like they are trying to kill each other, but they are learning how hard is hard and what they can do with their mouths. This will be very important when they go to their new homes, especially with kids.

good luck, and keep them safe and healthy.

Play classical music to them softly... opens the brains up for learning.

Answer 2

No problem my dog has had 3 litters of puppies all unexpected and 6 every time. Go out to a Garage Sale or ask a Friend if they have a old play pin they can't crawl out of that. Then go to the Thrift Store and buy some old blankets. The puppies don't care weather or not it is a new play pen and blanket or an old things.

Answer 3

If you are real short on funds, look for a used baby playpen at a yard sale or in the free ads, put some plastic down - plastic sheeting works great, a couple bucks at walmart - and some newspaper on top of that. Then you can put toys, food, water and a blanket down for them. The news paper and plastic make it much easier to clean up after them and helps to protect the play pen. Then when the pups are gone you can just dump the playpen if you no longer need it! This worked for me before! Good luck :)

Answer 4

if you have puppies that like to get into some trouble its best to keep them in a dog pin so they can still run around but wont have anything to mess up! :) a small pen u can buy usally at your feed store and it shouldnt cost more than about $30 i would think if you want them to still run free just make sure that u dont have any thing that could harm puppies such as wires, and chemicals the pups shouldnt wonder off too far from their bed

Answer 5

Talk to your vet about worming and other shots, etc.

But you can get some cheap child fences and gates to block off a corner of the kitchen, and put some newspaper down, but the puppies don't need to roam far. And you may be able to trade in the wading pool for a smaller cardboard box with blankets, just bie enuff for the mom and pups to nurse and sleep in.

The mother will keep the pups fairly clean while nursing, but that will change as they start to wean. At about 6 weeks, you'd like them to be eating puppy chow, maybe moistened. Not sure when you start weaning them, again ask your vet.

If you plan to get people to adopt them, then try to find out the breed of the mother, and possibly breed of the father (or fathers.. It's possible for different puppies to have different fathers. )

The ideal time for someone to adopt the puppies is when they are 49 days old. But you can start to prepare them now.

1. If the puppies can walk, then gentle adults can handle them and pet them. When you pick them up, try to raise them so that they don't grunt... you learn. But get them used to people.
When people aren't around, encourage them to play so that they learn good doggie manners.

2. If you have knwoledgeable dog owners in the neighborhood with dogs that have all of their shots, then you might consider letting the puppies socialize with other dogs.

3. At 4 weeks, you can teach puppies to sit, down, and come. Come is very easy... they always want to come to you.

4. Don't encourage them to jump on you or to bark, when they first come to you.. If they jump or bark, then don't pet them. Then play with them when they are quiet... and let them jump or bark.

5. You may be able to wlak them with a small leash, and to clip the very tip of their claws with a fingernail clipper.

Answer 6

several ideas.
baby gate and block them in one room
a baby playpen,
a puppy playpen ( but they can be expensive)
a large crate also expensive.
I would either go with eh baby playpen or the baby gate but if a baby gate make sure it's puppy proof.
yes start weaning at 4 weeks :: get puppy food ( I use Purina puppy chow) and moisten it with water to a soup like consistency, then slowly make it thicker. at 6 Weeks is when I begin to offer the bowl of watter. At 7 weeks they should be on solid food and as soon as they are call the vets and make an appointment for 1 week so mom has the chance to dry up thoroughly but that means mom can't be with them at all. they should be ready for new homes at 8 weeks.

Answer 7

I advise you to buy a crate. As soon as my puppies were climbing out of their pool I put them in a large crate. Then I moved the crate outside when they were about 4 1/2 weeks old. This helped when I adopted them out as several new owners were crate training their puppies.

Answer 8

They sound cute! Some ideas are find a big kennal for the puppies or block off the kitchen so they have space but can't escape! good luck.

Answer 9

You can put them in a small room where they can't get into anything, such as a bathroom with a baby-gate, or you can get an exercise pen at stores such as petco or petsmart.

Answer 10

Get a puppy pen (exercise pen) PetCo or PetSmart will have them. That will help you out a lot. All the best;^)