weaning

[tkdkraig]

I have weaned a litter I 'm going to keep one of the pups. How long til I can put her with her mother and she won't let her nurse?

[Chuck Terry]

I would let the Mom dry up pretty good. The pup will try but Mom will not tolerate it once the teeth and nails come in pretty good. It would be frustrating for both of them if you reunite them before they both give up on the nursing.

[sammiller03]

in my opinion leave the pups on till mom wont let them nurse . it works well if you have a place she can get over and get in another pen away from them. if you pull them all off at one time you might end up like i did and have your bitch get mastitus. put up a devider where she can get over but the pups cant. and let her wheen them on her own.


sam

[Chuck Terry]

Sam is right as long as Mom can get away from the pup. I feel the longer you leave pups on, the greater the chance of mastitus. I like to dry the female up and get her back in the field ASAP. Of course, you have to fool with softening the pups' food or feeding some sort of gruel if you wean them at 4 or 5 weeks. If I were you, I would go ahead and try them together for a brief period when I could watch how they interact. I would separate them if the pup pesters Mom too much and try again once a week until the nursing attempts end. Good luck!

[tkdkraig]

Thanks for all the great advise guys