Raising Puppies Questions... Incl Rspca

[Pipsal]

I have a litter of 5 just over 4wk old pups I'm raising that belong to a 'stray' dog. They are beautiful pups with very different personalities, and I have put a lot of time into trying to 'rear' them as best I can so they will be nice dogs that can go to good homes.

I have groups of kids come and play with them every afternoon, they get lots of cuddles and talked to all the time (they know my voice and will follow me now if I call them, etc). I have them in a makeshift pen with a covered sleeping shelter which takes up about a quarter of the space so they have room to eat and play, but every day at least once I let them out into the yard to explore for a couple of hours (supervised). I've even bathed them once and wormed them.

We made the pen so mum can come and go (tried to keep her in but she's never been restrained and keeps getting out and I don't want the pups to get out and follow cos they could end up anywhere), but pups are clever and determined little things and will now hang on the 'wall' and kick their legs until they get enough momentum to get over it, mostly when Mum or I am standing on the other side. Keep making that wall higher, but mum is already whining and crying everytime she comes to it so I can't go much more or she won' t try and jump in and they need her warmth at night - during the day today they did fine cos I just had to block it so she couldn't get in...gave me a chance to feed pups the soggy biscuits before milk twice, so might help with weaning them (they've been eating the biscuits since 3wks old, but not regularly). Is it a problem if Mum has to be away from them for maybe 6-7hrs or so a day (on the other side of an old screen door, so within sight and smell - I notice they all slept close to where she was on the other side of it today)?

What else should/could I be doing for these pups to make properly socialise them? What would a breeder do?

If I can't find people who want these dogs, I will have to hand them over to the RSPCA or similar - but I am worried that they will just put them down. Do they try and find homes for these puppies? Given all the work I've put in and how lovely they are, I really don't think I could just hand them over for that, but I'm not in a position to keep them either (maybe 1, but we'll have to see...). Any advice on who to contact that might find homes for them - I can probably get them to Brisbane or Rockhampton area.

One last question (sorry, this is my first time with a litter of pups)...how do I know if they are being overfed? These pups seem to have doubled in size this week. Everyone says that means they are going to be massive dogs, but they don't have big paws, and mum is a kelpie-ish dog but don't know about dad/s - can you tell at 4wks how big they may get....I haven't weighed them, but they would be about 1-1.5kg and 30cm long and for 3 of them their body is solid (specially after a feed), the other 2 seem to have smaller features, but still as long. Does this mean they are overfed, or will be big dogs (ppl are asking how big they will grow so they know if they take one, and I have no idea)?

Thank you for any advice. Am trying to attach pics of pups at 3wks old - much bigger than that now!

[Parkeyre]

sound like they will be border collie size dogs?

i have 3week old pups here all between 1/2 and 1.5kgs

[Guest Ams]

I'd just like to say well done for looking after these littlies.

The puppies look quite healthy (and very very cute). It is normal for them to start stacking on the weight, especially if you've started them on solids. Maybe start feeding them some minced chicken and yoghurt as well as the rehydrated kibble.

Unless you can afford to have all the puppies desexed, vaccinated etc before rehoming, it may be a good idea to contact a rescue group. Puppies are usually safe at the RSPCA unless they are severely unwell and it certainly doesn't sound or look like they are or maybe try contacting one of these organisations:

http://www.petrescue.com.au/rescue_directory/qld

Is it possible to make the pen higher and put a box or step on the outside for mum to use to get in? Trust me she will be able to jump out when the puppies start annoying her (and they will be at this age).

Will it be possible to take Mum to the rescue as well? That way she can be speyed and rehomed so no more puppies for you to have to look after.

[Lucy's mama]

They are good looking puppies! Best of luck homing them. Good job.

[Guest Pandii]

Great Post AMS, this would be the best outcome for all puppies and mumma

[Christina]

So kind & caring, you are an

Sounds like you are doing everything right.

Lots of rescue links on here for you to contact have a browse, best option & they will let you know what has happened to your puppies which I am sure is what you would like.

The world needs more people like you

[Alyosha]

They look fantastic! What a lovely job you've done. I agree see if you can find a rescue group in your state that may help with the pups.

[Pipsal]

Thanks for the words of encouragement, they are beautiful puppies. I'll have to take some more photos this weekend - they are like little dogs now rather than pups!

I have made the pen wall higher again and put a better ramp for mum so she will get in it - last night I went out because mum finally decided to get in with them before I let her in and there was a lot of crashing and banging as she knocked the walls down. I can't really take mum to a rescue place because technically she belongs to people in my community - luckily they don't want the pups and were happy for me to take them on. I have been trying to encourage the kids that own her to come and spend time with her and the pups and teaching them what she needs to be happy so she might stay with them - I think mostly she is hungry, so i might start buying a bit of food and giving it to the kids to feed her. She's gone off with them today for a walk, etc and has been gone for several hours, so hopefully that is a good sign. I did think about taking on mum myself, but I think she is best staying in the community though, but we are looking into whether we can get her speyed with owners permission.

[MrsD]

OMG, they are soooooooo cute . You sound like you are doing a fantastic job, good luck finding homes for them .

[Missymoo]

what a fantastic job youve done with these babies! Youve done more then what most BYB have done for thier pups that for sure! Well done for taking on advice and doing your very best, even though it wasnt you responsibilty you stood up and made it!!

Anyway you can getthe owners to desex her? Otherwise it will obviously keep happening

Cant wait to see piccis!!

[mumof3]

Pipsal, I remember you earlier posts and you are doing a terrific job of raising AND socialising these pups. I really hope you are able to place them as they will probably be good pets.

I'd like to warn you about something that the bitch may try to do at some point. She may try to take the puppies for a walk. I realise that you have them contained, which is great, but still think you should be aware of this possibility. She may take them for long walks to weed out the weaker pups. She won't come back until one drops off or gets let behind. If this happens you could look to her diet, I am not sure if it is dietry stress on the bitch which causes this behaviour, or something else. I believe this toughening up and weeding out is part of nature, and this bitch is likely to be quite in touch with her natural instincts.

[aussielover]

Great job

Nice looking puppies too.