I have a litter of pups at the moment, and a prospective owner wants to bring her bitch to meet them at 4 weeks to 'see how she is with her holding a puppy'.  I have a problem with this!  I've told her that there is no way that she can - I've explained that it is not only the risk of infection, but also my bitch's reaction to a strange dog around her pups.  She therefore wants to do it at a later stage, saying that she needs to know that her bitch is happy, but I'm really uncomfortable with this.  Am I being unreasonable in saying no?  I've suggested that she tries to find the owner of a (vaccinated) pup who would be happy for her to introduce her bitch to see the reaction.  She's thinking about this.

Any suggestions as to what I should say please?  My gut reaction is that if this is going to be an issue then she shouldn't have one of my pups.  Thanks!

I wouldn't let someone bring a dog to meet unvaccinated pups. As you say, apart from the health risk, you don't know how the bitch will react to a strange dog near her babies. If she can't understand this, then she's not very sensitive to a dog's emotions.

No way Jan..if this person isn't confident she can cope with the dog she already has and a puppy she is best not having one..I am amazed she would suggest upseting your bitch and would risk infecting your puppies..sorry it's a big no from me. :-(

..and what should you say? ''I'm very sorry but if you don't think your bitch will get on with a puppy or you don't feel confident in handling a bitch and a puppy together you may be better going for an older dog ...perhaps a rescue dog from a sanctuary that you can introduce to your bitch''.

I wouldn't consider it for a moment!  To be honest, if she is that undoggy, I wouldn't be happy for her to have one either!!
I have had a conversation this evening when the enquirer suggested something that I didn't approve of. I replied "That's your choice, of course, and I'm sure that many breeders wouldn't object, but it won't be one of mine!!"
Homing our precious pups is sooo important.  Whether you are right or wrong, once they have gone you can't turn the clock back, so go with your gut feeling and sleep at night!!

It took my dog a good 6 weeks to become comfortable with being in the same room as our new pup.  It took a lot of work on our part but the health and safety of both dogs was paramount and therefore we didn't leave them unattended for ages and ages.  He really hated her first of all, but then all of a sudden he seemed to appreciate she was staying and so started to 'chill'.  He loves her to bits now.

I wouldn't even consider it.  It's hardly the best time to introduce a strange dog to mum, when she is trying to protect her pups, a recipe for disaster I feel regardless of the health risks.

I was very lucky - my brother's SBT peed herself with excitement when she first met my new pup :D

They live together in almost total harmony and love each other to bits :)

But to answer the question, there's no way I would let this happen.  My bitch isn't even happy with other dogs walking past our front door now that she has puppies.  At the end of the day the prospective owner has to understand that you're going to do what's best for your pups and their mum, not just bow down to her every whim because she's parting with money to have a puppy!

I think that I'd go with your gut reaction.

I`m with the others as well, wouldn`t allow a strange dog near mum or pups :)

Christine, Spain.

Your doing the right thing for keeping pups safe, mum calm, and this other bitch safe as a protective mummy won't ask questions. It sounds to me the new owner doesn't trust her own bitch and isn't confident in havings another dog so I would be wary of this person...

Ice

Definitly Not!

The chances are her bitch won't be happy about it, but if she buys a pup then she will have to teach her bitch to behave around the pup (and vice versa) and give them both chance to acclimatise and have space for themselves whilst this is happening.

Even if her bitch was "happy" to see the pup on her lap having it in her own home and sharing space, owner, food etc is another thing altogether.

Thanks all of you.  It helps to hear my views confirmed.