I have 3 1/2 week old puppies (working breed), and have started the weaning process with  small balls of minced beef being fed by hand, but having difficulty gettin the pups to eat it from the bowl so that i can get them to eventually to feed from the bowl with puppy food, any ideas?

It would be much easier for them if you make up a porridge using puppy food and milk, so that it is lapping consistency.

I find a shallow flat dish placed inside a higher container like a bowl so that it is at nose level  but of the floor enough so that they get their feet in it less.

I wean mine on readytbrek and welping milk, also tuna flakes, I hold the bowl up to there mouth, putting some on my fingers letting them like it off, then slowly place the bowl down. I use the little plastic cat bowls. Just remember they are only babies and like human babies it takes time.
I personally don't use raw food as my dogs and pups live in the home also mix with children.

Denese

I personally don't use raw food as my dogs and pups live in the home also mix with children.

My dog also lives in the home and mixes with young children, when she has raw she has it in the garden.

my family have owned Samoyed's since the 1920's the first photo I have being 1930, It has been past through the family never to feed your Samoyed things you would not eat yourself. I carry this on. Samoyed's love children, and lick them and I would not like them every to like anybody if the had eaten raw food.

Denese

rather fond of steak tartare myself, glad hubby doesn't mind.

Thinking of the unspeakable that most dogs will eat at some stage - like poo, dead wildlife etc - a bit of raw beef seems quite a good option. :-)

what do you feed your dogs then?

Our sams never have eaten any poo or wildlife. Mommy sam cleans her pups though lol.

Denese