Last night some rotten person abandoned a three week old puppy in a cardboard box in a garden in Wakefield. Luckily the owner of the house found the box and handed her in to the police. They contacted me so here I am with a tiny bitch pup (breed unknown).
She has settled in well and seems to be eating and drinking normally. Can anyone give me any advice with regards to rearing her. I have had litters in the past, always reared by a loving mum, with me on the side lines. Does she need to be on puppy milk or am i best trying to wean her. How will it affect her being alone with no sibling and no mum, what can I do to try and make sure she turns into a happy, healthy dog. I am having her vet checked tonight, she appears to be healthy but I want to be sure I am doing everything I can for her.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
Amy

I can't help you but good on you for taking the poor mite in :)
Good luck.......Sarah

Hi Amy - Sorry I can't offer you any advice either on hand rearing a puppy.
I just wanted to echo Sarah and say good for you! :)
Hope everything goes well at the Vets.
Sharon
X

My sister in law got her puppy at 3 weeks old almost a year ago. It was going to be put in a pail of water if she never took it. Lady is now almost 1 year old and is massive. Liz gave the pup Lactol milk. She got it from the pet shop. She also gave it baby rice and rusks. Ive no idea if this is the proper way to rear a 3 week old pup but Lady is health and very lively. Hope this offers you some help. Susan

At 3 weeks old some litters are starting to get weaned so if you can I would introduce her to some puppy milk (Welpi is better than Lactol) and maybe soften a rusk with it and let her lap. Or Pedigree Chum's puppy weaning porage is good too but you'd need to find someone in the breeder scheme for that.

we fostered 2 pups when they were 3 weeks old, as we arrived at a rescue centre just as the mum was having diarrohea problems. she had been ill all day and couldn't cope with her 10 pups.

we gave them powdered milk and gradually weaned them onto solid food. we had them for 4 weeks and they were no trouble. we did what the mum would have done to encourage them to be clean - took them out after each meal to toilet, and after playing and they performed straightaway.

they did have each other though, and our young bitch to aid with the socialisation process. i think your pup should do well if she has another dog to interact with and teach her doggy things. good luck x