My beautiful rescue dog Molly has been (and still is) a wonderful mother to her litter of 6. They will be 5 weeks old on Wednesday, very good friends of mine are having two of the pups, we are keeping one and the other three will be offered for adoption.  My question is, when the pups leave (at 6-8 weeks) do you let the mother see them go (so she knows they have gone), or is it best to take her for a walk and when she comes back the pups aren't there?  As we are keeping one, I hope she will not be too sad about them going, but can you tell me what is the best way for her.

When our pups have left we didn't make a big deal either way - the new owners arrive, the pups are all playing and the mother's pottering about, the paperwork's done, I pick up the pup and carry it outside, say goodbye and hand it over. They don't all leave on the same day, and because the mother's not really spending a great deal of time with the pups by then, she's never appeared to either notice or care that one or two have gone.
:)

Thanks, it's true she doesn't seem so bothered about them now, feeding less etc., but she is still really protective of them and barks like mad when anyone comes to the house, did yours do this?  Also, another question, a couple of the pups have started to scratch - they can't possibly have fleas (can they?!), at what age can you give them flea treatment?

You'll see the difference in her attitude towards them in the next couple of weeks! ;) By the time ours have been ready to leave, their mother's been greeting prospective buyers like long-lost friends, virtually saying "Please take one of the little *****s away!" As for fleas - what are they bedded on? It's perfectly possible for young puppies to have fleas. As regards treatment - your vet is the best person to advise.
:)

Mother lost interest in her pups by about week 7. She'd really had enough of the nipping and would walk away from them. When it was time for pups to leave she was in the garden and when new owners walked down the drive with them she just gave a little bark. I hope she was saying "good bye" and not "thank god for that".

Pups are on clean flanelette blankets and towels changed twice/three times a day at the back of the pen for sleeping on and loads of newspaper at the front.  Do they just scratch a bit anyway, because they have found out they can?! 
Hope Molly does find it easy to let go, she has been through so much already.  She was mistreated and abandoned before I got her, and then she had pups and she's only around 12-14 months old herself.  She has been so brave and such a good mother and I absolutely love her to bits!  Think I'll be shedding a tear or two when the pups go though.

Hiya

When we had people into see the puppies Maddie our girl was desperate to show her puppies off. Everyone was brought into the living room to meet the big dogs first and then when Maddie thought it was time she got up went to the living room door and asked to get through to the puppies. When the puppies went away it was as if she remembered the owners. We dealt with the paperwork while the puppy was playing around in the living room and when it was time to say goodbye I lifted the puppy let Maddie have a wee sniff and then headed for the front door. After we came back in from saying bye to the puppy Maddie demanded to be let through to the rest of the puppies, she then had a wee look and a sniff at each one then headed back into the living room to her bed. She was at the stage where it was nice to see them but it was also very nice to have a bit of peace and quiet. I think she quite relieved when they started going home. We have two from the litter and she plays with them, but is also very happy to sit back and let the aunties take charge for a wee while.

Ah, that's lovely. This whole thing has come to me by accident and to be quite honest its not something I would have chosen to do, but I have to say the experience has been wonderful. Coming across this forum has been a godsend too - so many knowledgeable dog lovers out there - thanks to all.

With her last litter, mum went to the gate, watched as the car containing her puppy drove off and then ran straight in and sat in front of the fridge waiting for her "payment". A scrap of sausage for a puppy!