Need help with new momma

[Guest Anonymous]

So we have a problem. Everything is going great so far except for the fact that the mother will NOT leave the puppies for anything. We have to coax her out with meat and pull her all the way out just to get her to go to the bathroom. She's not snippy or anything she just seems like she REALLY doesn't want to leave. She pulls to get back to her pups the whole time she is gone. It's almost as if something was starved for weeks and if you went and put food down in front of them and tell them to wait to eat it they can't do it fast enough.

I understand this is a good mother protective instinct but is it a little overboard?? We've only been able to get her out to go to the bathroom twice since she had her pups wednesday. I'm almost afraid she will resort to going in the house or something. Anyone else had this problem? What should we do?

Should we be feeding her so that she comes out of the box away from the pups or should we feed her in her box?

[imported_Kat]

Hi Ping, if necessary put a lead on Mum and take her outside every few hours or how often you think is necessary. Its great that she is being a good mum but having a quick few minutes break from teh babies will benefit her too. Feed her a few (3) small meals a day and put the dish just outside the nest but not in it. Also make sure that she is wormed and that the puppies are wormed starting at 2 weeks of age. I know you have taken on a lot but please do ask for any help. You are an angel for doing this :wink:

[courtnek]

do the puppies seem happy/healthy? eating well? sleeping lots? if so it's just an overprotective mom at this point, but if she senses something wrong with the puppies she may not want to leave them. She should let you handle and touch them, they should respond to you even if they cant see yet, by wriggling and trying to get back to mom. even little puppy cries would be normal.

other than that, Kat's suggestion is a good one. Put her on a leash and let her get away for a few minutes. She could use the break too.

[Guest Anonymous]

The puppies seem great right now. They don't seem sickly or anything. There is a lot of wimpering going on. They are eating like crazy. They are usually right under her so it's hard to tell how much they are sleeping. They seem to move and squirm around a lot but they seem fine. I think she's just being over protective.

Do you think it's best to keep people away for awhile till they get a little bigger or to desensitize her a bit and let her get used to it? She seems nervous when there are small groups of people around. I'm thinking its the little kids that bother her mostly. She's usually fine but since the puppies she doesn't seem comfortable when they are around. We don't let them near but should we keep them away from her all together till the pups are a little older? Will she probably lighten up about this as they grow?

[courtnek]

for right now, I would keep the kids away. Children often distress dogs, they screech, they flail their arms, they move too quickly, they dont act the way that baby dogs act, so the dog doesnt understand. As the puppies get older, they should be socialized with the children. Get a good start, so if they get adopted into a home with small kids it's not a whole new experience for them. I think mom will become less protective as they get older, dont worry.

and again, thank you for taking this on. you are on :angel:

[fabke]

hello there....

we had a litter almost two years ago and we're planning another one this summer.... this is what we should advice you : she's a bit over protective right now but that will probably get better within a few days when the pups grow older. Take her out on a leash as much as you think is necessary.... feed her outside the box but close enough so she can still see her pups....

about the visit of other people and children : a new mother needs her rest and you have to be aware of the risk of infection. The first two weeks we only admitted our own family near the pups.... When they are a little older you can let other people and children in and start with the socialization....
Good luck and keep us informed !!!

[imported_Cassie]

I would agree that Momma is very protective of her new litter. My bitch just had a litter...they are now going on 5 weeks this wednesday. For the first few weeks I made sure she had peace and quiet and that she felt secure and safe. If a bitch has any reason to feel stressed by children, noise, strangers visiting....etc. they can be very protective. My bitch is a very laid back friendly Newfoundland dog...she became very protective of her litter, make sure she feels her pups are safe & only have a select few (whom she feels comfortable with) going in with her and the pups for the first few weeks, my little girl would get freaked out if any one but myself, the breeder or my sister went in the room with her and her pups....the breeders husband couldn't get near them with out Tori growling, and he was there from the beginning. I would start allowing people to come in with the pups when you start weaning them...we started weaning Tori's pups at 3 weeks of age (we added a milk supplement to the weaning diet)...it all depends on how you feel and how the pups are developing...some people like to wait until almost 4 weeks to wean.

Its great once the pups are weaned to get them used to as many people as possible...just make sure the people you invite have not been in contact with any dogs which may be sick. You children can play with them as well at this point....just make sure they play nice with the pups and not let them man handle them too much...make sure all play time is supervised (depending on the age of the children)
For my Bitch as well...while she was nursing I fed her as much food as she wanted...at this point they need all the extra calories they can get to nurse. If your bitch is any thing like mine she will probably just dump most of her food any way. :lol: :wink: she was taken out for quick pee & poop breaks throughout the day at first she was going about 5 times a day. I found with all the bitches I have cared for with a litter had to pee ALOT. Once she starts feeling secure she will be more inclined to go out for her pee breaks...and once they get a little older and start getting their baby teeth she will really look forward to getting away from the pups :lol:
Good luck to you & Congrat's...

[Guest Anonymous]

Thanks guys for the replies!


I'm happy to say I think she's starting to get more comfortable and lighten up a bit. She's started coming out on her own and she went out many times today without coaxing. I think I'm just nervous myself :oops:

[imported_Cassie]

That is wonderful, she must be feeling more secure. Have fun with the little pups :wink:
If you have any question don't hesitate to ask. I have cared for many litters through my work and have been through just about every thing :wink:

[mouseatthebusstop]

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