Hello lovely people,
As many of you know my pet bitch gave birth 6 days ago. She's normally walked twice a day. When do you normally walk after a litter has been born? I've got parvo virucude disinfectant - diluted appropriately. Would you wipe feet and tests with this or do you have a better suggestion. For those who didn't see my last post, bitch is going back in whelping box when pups begin to squeak so to feed and clean them. She does keep looking in at other times when out of box, but doesn't lie in there much. I had visions of her being a ' doting mum' ... Wanting to be in there all the time, but not so! I'm a first time breeder.  Thanks.

Mine usually want to resume walks after about 4-5 days. I just wash them off and dry before letting them back into pups.
Lots of people however won't walk lactating bitches at all - everyone has different views

I don't walk mine at all, in my opinion the risk of infection is just too high. I'm happy for her to potter around in the garden but nothing more.

I waited until the pups were around 4 weeks and then it was gentle lead exercise and a short walk. She had access to the garden when she wanted it and on nice days the pups were in a pen outside and she could pop in and out as she chose. I didn't want to risk any infection at all and she didn't meet other unknown dogs, so only my families dogs and again she remained on lead.
I know some who around this time would take their girls out off lead for a good hours run in a public place, each to their own

I never take my girls out after they've had a litter, not until all the puppies have gone to their new homes.

The risk of infection is too great.....I'd hate the puppies to get ill because mum left the garden.

Mine only went out to empty on our property.   As said, even if you wipe feet and teats (which I did despite only going out on our property) there is a risk of infection.   Further my girls didn't want to be away from their litters whilst nursing long enough for a proper walk.   If she's a bit reluctant to be with them already, moving her away from them on a full walk, won't help!!    There's plenty of time to get her back on her normal schedule once the puppies are weaned.  And even if she had a natural birth, she will still need to regain her strength after the whelping.   Plus right now, her system is being stressed enough via producing enough milk to cater for her litter.

Wow - mine would go stir crazy if they did not go out.
It would cause a lot of stress when the others go out and I feel my bitch is happier all round which is what I want.
I find after a couple of recovery days I find they want to go out with the others. I do disinfect teats and paws but feel they have a level of immunity to protect the pups.
It would be like giving my dog 8 weeks hard labour otherwise.

My girl wouldn't leave the pups even to relieve herself for the first week without prompting, but after two weeks she and I were happy doing road walks for 10-15 minutes a day just to get her out of the house. We avoided heavy dog traffic areas, and avoided all other dogs. Then cleaned her up thoroughly when home before letting her in with the puppies. I was a first time breeder too and got some great advice on here. Someone said to make sure you washed yourself down too, and left shoes outside/by the door. I asked my other half to keep an eye on the puppies while I walked her and showered afterwards, and then disinfected my hands. The risk of infection is high but your girl's mental well being is also of great importance. I think it's down to the individual bitch as to whether she could cope without walking.

I don't walk mine until around 4 weeks, I find the mums usually want to go home fairly quickly if I do it sooner, however we do have a large area for exercising so not too much of an issue. I would wash her off if she gets dirty and especially if you are in an area used by the public.

My lactating bitches don't leave my property until all the pups are rehomed at 8 weeks old