Hi, I just wondered how often a bitch should be feeding her pups? They are 2 weeks and 3 days old. She really doesn't want to feed them now. She wants to be in the kitchen or living room with the rest of the family. Her pups are in a room next to the kitchen, I took her in several times yesterday and sat and stroked her while they fed. The minute I get up she leaps out the bed and comes with me. I crept down in the night several times. She was in with them a couple of times, the others she was asleep by the door. (I give her a night feed and let her out) The only other bitch I have bred would not leave her pups for anything. (This one was another breed and only had 3) Do bitches often do this? She does have 9. They seem content enough at the moment, and all tripled weight by day 13. I have also trimmed their nails several times. Has anyone had a bitch like this or is it perfectly normal? Thanks.

This is why at this age I bring the pups to the area that we are in most, as the maternal ties and those to us and the rest of their canine pack start to vie.

This encourages the bitch to stay with the pups, though I would not expect most to stay in the whelping box with them if they can see and hear them.

As long as she goes in with them at least every couple of hours, and as you say they are content and gaining then perfectly normal.

I have only had the odd bitch who wanted to spend her time with the pups when not actively caring for them, and these were the ones who liked being curled up in a bed with a chum anyway. 

The majority of mine prefer to stretch out somewhere cooler.

All of the bitches I have had ( all same breed ) have started to tire by this time but to be honest I have sometimes had big litters and so I have automatically helped them out with bottle feeding and as early weaning as possible. I have thought often it must be my breed or my girls so it can be reassuring to read on here it is not out of the ordinary.
I have often wondered what would happen if I did nothing at all as in nature. Would they do more than they do. They say Mum knows best.
My girl has just started serious labour so I am hoping for some magical moments by the end of to-day.
Good luck and enjoy yours until they go.

Mine are lucky to last a week happy with just the pups and me in the whelping room so during the day they come  down into a crate in the lounge where they will stay with the pups 90% of the time till they are well on the way to weaning, as the pups become more active they move into a puppy pen, they continue to sleep up in the whelping room at night and the other dogs are in the bedroom next door.

Ok, thank you for your advice. She is not that unusual then. The pups room is very close to me when I am in the kitchen, so she can hear them. I will keep putting her in every couple of hours and sitting with her. Good luck Hazenaide, hope all goes well.

iv had the oppasit with my girl pups are just over 6weeks and mum as just stoped feeding them yesterday she now runs away or lays down and hide her boobs from them they are eating well so wasnt worried apart from 1 pup which we are keeping anyway :)