Question about four week old pups?

Question

Question #1:
How early is to early to give a puppy a bath. They will be five weeks this Friday. Momma isnt cleaning their bottoms and the poop is getting stuck. Should I be concerned about this? The poop isnt runny really, but is kinda soft? No diarreha. And why isnt momma cleaning them? Its her first litter, but has done a great job so far??????????

Question #2:
Should I be offering puppy food yet? They are just now getting their teeth. If I do offer should it be moistened?
Question #3:
Is it to early to start the potty training process? They seem to really like to get out of the kennel and squat on the newspapers, poop and pee. I dont want them paper trained. Prefer for them to go outside.

Question #4:
How many hours of play time do they need? I have three kids who have picked them up since day one, everyday. I am a stay at home momma, and have no problem taking them out of the kennel several times a day, but just want to make sure I am giving them enough.

Ran out of space.
I just wanted to let you all know that I didnt breed my little girlie. She was rescued from an irresponsible pet owner (not sent through a rescue group), unknown to me that she was pregnant, until I took her in to get her shots, so I dont need the lectures please. I have read alot on puppies, but peoples experience and insite is always welcome.
All puppies have found great homes and will not go to then until they are 10 weeks old. All have a signed(and notorized) contract stating that they must be spayed and nuetered(deposit of $25 will be refunded after the fact). Contract also states the puppies shall be returned to me should the owner no longer want/ or care for them.
Also any other advice on four week old puppies? Thanks so much!!!!!!!

Answer 1

its ok to bathe them but don,t get water in their nose or mouth and they can start eating a little dry food the mother is trying to wean them that is why she has stopped cleaning them and 45 min a day of interaction with you and your kids is recommended to get them used to pepole!

Answer 2

Sounds like you're doing a wonderful job. And being a mother yourself I thing most of this will come natural to you. Caring for them will be a lot like caring for children. In their own special way they're just like kids and using a little common sense along with your motherly instinct you'll do just fine. And I think its great you took her and are taking extra care in finding good homes for the pups.
#1 They're to young for a complete bath but using a warm soft cloth to wipe up after them is fine. I wouldn't start bathing a pup until at least 12 weeks and then I wouldn't do it very often. Bathing a dog can dry out their skin if you're not careful. If the poop is at a point were it's solid enough to stick to their bottom its probably time for the mother to stop cleaning up after them. Plus she's still leaning too.
#2 I would start giving them small amounts of dry moistened puppy food now and keep adding more as they get more teeth. As soon as they start getting teeth the mother will let them know when to stop. Those little teeth are sharp.
#3 It's never to early to start potty training. If you have the time..... take them out instead of letting them use the paper.
#4 Like I mentioned before.... Use your instincts. You can tell when they're getting tired and need a nap. Just be careful with the picking up them up and walking with them at the same time.
Good luck . I hope this helped. If you need more help I'd be glad to do so.

Answer 3

1. You can give them a bath now, use a puppy shampoo and towel dry them well, making sure they are dried kept out of a draft, and kept warm after their bath. You could then use a damp cloth to wipe them off in a spot cleaning sort of way once the first bath is done and as the need arises. Some people use baby wipes and pet stores sell puppy wipes for that purpose, designed with the ph of puppy skin in mind. The momma might not be cleaning them now since they are able to go on their own. Also, if they are small enough you might consider getting one of those hard plastic wading pools (cheap at Target and WalMart's) if they can't climb over the sides, it will give them more playing area without the worry of them wandering off into trouble.

2. Yes, offer puppy food but do it like this, get a good puppy food kibble and add some hot water or puppy formula to it and let it sit a minute then make a mush of it. Do a finger test thru the middle to make sure there are no hot spots before feeding to the pups. Should just be lukewarm throughout. Don't stick their faces in it and be careful if you lift some with your finger to their mouth so you don't get it in their noses. Aspirated food can cause serious complications. You can gradually make this thicker as they get used to eating and be sure to introduce them to water at the same time you are introducing them to solids.

3. You could start taking them outside to go, but in reality they will still have accidents for a few more weeks even with consistent training because of their age. Not to mention that a pup can't be expected to hold it longer than about an hr. per month of age. You might want to consider getting them homes at eight weeks unless they are a small breed.

4. Sounds like they have more than enough "play time" or socialization to people right now! I like the idea of your giving people a contract to sign promising to get them fixed and getting a deposit, but I think your deposit should be fifty dollars as long as you are getting their first shots and worming, to cover your costs and to discourage any that want to collect dogs to sell to medical labs.

These are just some suggestions based on what has worked for me when bottle feeding and raising rescues.
High five to you for rescuing that mother dog and the pups and I know that is a lot of work!

Answer 4

1.

I would just give the puppies a bum bath. You know with a wet wash cloth. I am not sure why she isn't cleaning them anymore sometimes they just don't know.

2.

Yes. You should be giving them moistened dog food. They may or may not eat it. But it gives them an option.

3.

Start the potty training process now if you want. It may be a little difficult though. Make sure that when you take them outside and you see them pee or poo you need to make sure to praise. Bring treats outside with you. It may be hard if there are a lot of pups. Because they need to be rewarded right after they do the duty.

4.

I say let them out of the kennel atleast 5 times a day. Puppies are very active. But they still do need their rest.

Answer 5

Well the amount of excersise depends on the breed but puppies sleep a lot! Washing them is fine at 5 weeks, but dont let them get a draft or get cold as they can get sick. It might sound weird but try just washing their butt if possible and not the whole pup if you can. You can also use baby wipes for smaller accidents. I ahve used them and they work great for kids and puppies. You can offer the puppy food, but check with yoru vet about nutrients and what type of food is best for that breed. Some moms are not good mothers to their puppies. Bulldogs as a rule do not even care for their pups at all. Maybe she doesnt like cleaning them. If you do use puppy food moisten it with warm water for a few minutes until its soft. IT is never too early to potty train them but they dont gain bladder control until 20 weeks. If you ahve the time take them out after each mealtime and maybe every 3 or 4 hours depending on the breed. Again ask your vet as they have different levels of energy. Good luck with the new babies.

Answer 6

You can clean them up with baby wipes or a washcloth,but I would wait another week or two to bathe them.If they are really dirty,just wash their rear ends,and make sure to rinse and dry well.I don't know why the mom isn't cleaning them,unless she is getting tired of them,and starting the weaning process.Also,puppies are messy,LOL!

Yes,it's time to start offering puppy food.Offer dry,moistened with warm water,and I find that giving them a little plain ,unsweetened,full fat yogurt ( no light yogurt;artificial sweeteners are very bad for dogs) every day ( about a tablespoon per pup) helps to keep their stool firmer while they adjust to solid food.Feed them twice a day to begin with,and increase feedings while keeping them away from mom for longer and longer periods of time.They should be completely weaned by 7 weeks,and eating 4 times a day.They also should get a general wormer now,and again at 7 weeks,and their first puppy shots at 7 weeks as well.

You can start house training if you like.When they want out of the pen,just pick them up and take them outside to where you want them to go.Put a soiled newspaper in the spot,so they will smell it.Tell them to "go potty" and then praise them when they go.

You don't want the pups to play too hard in this heat,but let them play until they are tired,and then let them sleep. It's good that they are getting well - socialized to kids,as long as the kids are gentle with them,The puppies will let you know when they have had enough.Make sure they have plenty of water in this weather.

Answer 7

#!- well sometimes the mother will stop cleaning their butts so u might have to take a wet paper towl and wipe em'...I wouldnt give them a bath they might go into shock and might get a cold from being wet....but i really dont know

#2- in my last litter the momma wouldnt nurse them anymore at like 4 weeks maybe 5 and we always give them a little bowl of dog food with the powdered milk we warm it up and let the dog food get soft then give it to them---at first they will only eat the milk but after a couple of times the eat some of the food to----i have to warn you the puppies are gonna get FAT!!!! lol!!! They will start getting bigger faster when u fed them and the poop is really bad!!! sry but it is!!!

#3I know it might be hard but try to get them outside all day set up a little pin and let them run around and leave a blanket for when they get sleepy!! It will save you a lotta newspaper and they will get to explore!! lol BUT it also depends on where u live and what your yard is and what type of dog so just use your judgement--ex. our dogs live outside so they were born outside and grew up outside. We have a big backyard so we had to make them a pin so they wouldnt get lost- I live in CA so it was warm enough for them to stay outside all the time....

#4-- as much as you can give them! We have been having puppies since I was 2 (now im 15) We always will take a couple out bring the inside play for hours and switch-----it sounds like you have a sort of kennel that they stay in that is inside which is fine but I would let them run around outside all day and when it starts to get dark bring them in.. they need to learn about grass and dirt and the mother can play with them like rolling around and play biting--its all good!!


i know you might be thinking why should I follow the advice of a 15 year old but our family has been raising pups for a very long time and my parents taught me everything so if you need more info email me [e-mail]......
if you could please send me pictures!! I love puppies!!!

have fun with them!

Answer 8

#1 - you can bath them with a mild soap.. johnson's baby is ok. Just dry them well. Mom is starting the weaning process and will not clean them as much.
#2- Yes, they have teeth and should be starting to eat mush.. puppy food soaked in water or milk replacer. Offer meals 4 times a day, then 3 until they are placed in new homes.
#3- You can start potty training them by letting them out with the mother on her potty breaks... be aware that your yard should be very secure and checked daily for holes and such. Puppies can get lost easily.
#4- puppies will play until they are tired, then nap ... kids can play with them as long as they aren't waking them up, it is ok.

Answer 9

hey,
yeah it is fine to wash the puppies, i dont see why not any way you can introduce some dry food there for them, but also start off with puppy porriage and puppy canned dog food they will love the smell and taste of it. ( you might have to show them where it is some might eat straight away, but others just try dipping there nose in it, but not to much).
i sure you will do a great job caring for them.