Hi

Been using BOTB as a bible, tried starting weaning 2 days under three weeks and the pups have enjoyed lapping at the food and eat occasionally. My concern is Mum is getting fed up with feeding them (hence started weaning just under the three weeks). what is the average age of weaning and on average how long from little food and Mums milk to all puppy/weaning food?

we are using a brand and I took advise from Dog nutritionist i know there's lots of thoughts on what to feed them but they are enjoying this food soaked in warm water.

I want to know if we aimed at a weeks time this might be to soon to get them over the reason for trying is because I can see Mum has lost interest in feeding them even when there noisy and want them to be fed well.

Panic :)

Check the pups nails.

Mums milk will still be main source of nourishment until at least 4 weeks, by five weeks Mums will be cutting back (unless they are like my Myka who loves being a Mum that she doesn't cut them back until 6 weeks and still giving good feeds until 7 weeks).

Most of mien will still give the odd comfort suckle to the time they leave for new homes.

I have them on four meals a day after the first day or two of tasters.  This way they will get enough whatever Mum does.

Mum should have as much access to pups as she wants.  I keep her away from them for maybe half an hour before I feed them, give more food than they are likely to eat, and then let Mum finish off, and pups will top up from her at the same time.

Hi

we would like to but she isnt that keen on feeding them. I have to ask her nicely and she complies but doesnt hang around for long. They are hungry as when she goes in its like a Rugby srcum. We weight them and they are gaining weight still but as time passes she wants to feed them less and less. I to was hoping to just slowley introduce the food but I am now thinking the more they eat thet better in case mum stops feeding them at all. I suppose theres bottle feeding, I did think that maybe this is all naturel as she knows its time for tem to eat solids.

I will keep encouraging Mum to feed so we can hybrid the feeding and milk at the same time. I reward her for her efforts and we try and make the experience as posotive as possible.

we have even tried letting three pups feed at a time (theres 6) so she isnt pulled around so much (and the pups have small teeth now) and make it a little more comfertable for Mum.

will check nails again and weigh the Pups later.

If you feed them first then let her in they will not be so hungry and she will not feel so overwhelmed as she does now.

As I already said once I start them off on food I feed 4 meals a day to appetite.