Advise on puppys

[Jane070707]

My dog has just had 4 beautful puppies. They are doing very well and mum seems to be doing a really good job at looking after them.
I have been doing a bit of internet reading and have spoken with the vet on several matters but welcome any advise you can give me on everything.
Particulary i would like to know how long to wait before i can touch them?
When and should i move them? I have a large puppy pen i would like them in, mum sleeps in there usually but she has had the puppies in the middle of the hall and i think she is feeling a little exposed.
When do i introduce the father to them? What is the best way to do this? The vet has told me to do it sooner rather than later but every attempt i have made has led to mum getting very worked up and growling and chasing him out of the room.
Also, can anyone recomend any good info sites for me to visit. Thanks

[Horseluver12]

You should put them in the pen, becasue they need to learn to not be with there mum all the time. And you should intrduce them to there father When they can walk and run. So maybe whe they are 6-8 weeks.

[kita1]

This question recently asked the same things:

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nat ure/Pets/Question655529.html


The link in the answer Lankeela gave is a good site.

[lankeela]

Vets like this really p*ss me off. They may know the veterinary stuff, but how many vets have ever actually bred a litter of puppies? You must keep the father away for a few weeks at least, otherwise the mum could feel threatened and may even desert or kill the pups.

Put the pen in a darkened enclosed area where she feels secure, in a sort of den, which is what she would do if in the wild. Do not let all and sundry (dogs or people) in to see them until they at least have their eyes open. You can handle them if the mum is happy about it (I had one who would have had your hand off if you touched her babies).
Heat is most important, provided they can get away from the source if they get too hot. If they are lying on top of each other then they are not warm enough, if they are sprawled about the whelping box then they are too hot. Try to find the balance, they should be lying near each other and making a sound like a load of bumble bees when feeding! Start to offer food at about three weeks - but be warned, once you start to feed the mum will stop cleaning up after them. Not sure which link I put on that kita has mentioned, I will go look and see if I can find any more.

[lankeela]

Another important thing is you must give the bitch a calcium supplement now she is feeding the puppies, or she may suffer from eclampsia which can be fatal if left untreated. The signs are frightening - she would stagger around and fall down, shaking violently. A quick jab of calcium from the vet would cause an immediate recovery, but its much better not to allow it. Canovel calcium tablets are fine, from the pet shop. Also the puppies will need worming with either Johnson's puppy worming syrup or Panacur liquid, and the mum will need doing with either Panacur or Drontal. Do them at two, four, six and eight weeks then monthly till three months, then at six months.
Cut the pups nails at about a week - 10 days as they will be scratching mum when they feed. Use the swivel type human nail clippers, and just take the very tips off.

[lankeela]

http://www.doggehouse.co.uk/whelping.htm

A bit of light reading for you(!). The first part is about the development of the pups, but if you read through or scroll down it tells you all about the pups and mother and what you should be doing. Don't have nightmares!

[Jane070707]

Thanks to all of you for your advise, especially to Lankeela. Your advise has come in very useful. The puppys are now 3 weeks old. All looking plump and healthy. Mum is happy and has become very relaxed n content. We're now preparing to have our hands full with some very energetic puppys.