Hello, Sorry if this gets long.
As most of you know, my Staffie had a little girl pup, who is a week today. (just for the record she's doing really great, and has more that doubled her birth weight of 12oz)
My question is when is the best time for introductions to the other dogs in the family.
We have Toesy, her 14 month son and Rio a 7 month bitch.
Up to now they have been kept separate, Ruby is in her whelping box in the main room, the other two have the rest of the downstairs, living/computer room and kitchen.
From three weeks before she had pup, they've been separate (due to kennel cough) which obviously cleared up long ago, but we have carried on keeping them separate. They no not to enter the main room now :(
It's not an ideal situation, as on an evening once kids are in bed, we mainly settle down in the main room with Ruby, which leaves Toesy and Rio left out, and obviously up to mischief :D
They are also becoming aware something is different, smells and sounds. they are getting more curious which is understandable.
When the kennel cough was around they didn't even cross paths with Ruby, and when the pup was born, Ruby used the patio door to get in the garden. A different part to the other two.
Now they go in the same part of the garden, but at different times.
A few days ago if the room door was left open and they dared to peep in, a glare from Ruby would stop them in their tracks. Now she is actually venturing from the box a lot more, it looks like she is missing their company. She comes out to the kitchen for a quick sniff, but soon goes back, especially if she hears pup. She seems so much more relaxed in their company, and I really think she would be ok for them to be in the same room, not to sure on how close though.
But for the pups sake if it's better to keep them away, then we'll perservere.
What does everyone else do, do you just wait till your bitch is happy with the situation, or do you have a time limit in case of infection.

Michelle.

I'm by no means an expert, or even pretending to be, but I'll tell you what I've experienced:

Our 2 Staffs had a litter two days apart.  For the first week and a half, my bitch wouldn't even tolerate having the other bitch outside the door.  Now, they'll let each other sniff the puppies but always under strict human supervision.  I had heard stories of bitches attacking another bitch's litter, so obviously we were very cautious.

Not sure about the infection issue - I think that's a question for those in the forum who know more about the subject. :)

I think your bitch will let you (and your other dogs) know if she doesn't want them there.  Maybe try to take them in one at a time on a short leash?  Make sure someone is holding the bitch's collar though!  Please tell me if this is wrong, everyone, as I said my particular situation is slightly different and I would hate to think I'm endangering bitch or puppies :)

Can nobody let me know what they do in these circumstances !!!
There must be some one who has a houseful of other pets while bringing up a litter :)

Michelle.

When I've had litters (they are always in the house) I have them in a quiet room where the other dogs can be excluded. For the first week or two the bitch will not tolerate the others even walking past the door without getting defensive, and until she is happier I make sure the others can't get in, no matter how curious they are. This is despite the fact that she will have been going out for walks with the others for some time, leaving hre babies at in the nest. By about three weeks, though, the novelty of them is wearing off, and she starts to let the others come closer. By 4 weeks she is happy to let the others have a sniff and investigate the pups, and they are accepted into the pack. It should go without saying that you always keep a careful watch to make sure nothing untoward can happen, because adult dogs, especially males, can be quite scared of puppies.

Be guided by your bitch's behaviour. Hope this helps.
:)

Thank you,
Up to now my bitch has only been out in the garden. I want to wait until she's had her stitches out before I take her for a walk. I was a bit worried about infection, that was the main reason I've kept the dogs away from her and pup.
She gets her stitches out tomorrow, so she'll be going out for small walks, so I suppose I won't need to keep the dogs away for that reason.
I'll just leave it down to Ruby to decide when she's happy with it.
I think while we are in the room I'll leave the door open, if they venture in, I'll let them and take it from there.

Michelle.