I am just about to start weaning puppies, and would like to know how long to just give them 1 meal a day, before going on to 2 - 3 and 4 meals a day. Also do I have to put them a water dish as soon as I start them on 1 meal. I read a breeding book and it said 5 meals a day at 3 hour intervals, but I thought it was just 4. Would really appreciate some advice on this.

Also 2 of the pups are now getting up on their feet and walking, although still a bit wobbly, but the other one is only lifting her front up, and does not seem to be able to get her back legs up, is this usual that some develop quicker than others, or should I start worrying, they are 25 days old today.

As soon as I see they are able to take solids I offer mine at least 4 meals a day, or 5 if they are taking it well.  I always start weaning by giving lactol to make sure they have the hang of lapping and as soon as they start taking solids I leave water available for them at all times as the switch from an exclusively milk diet to mothers milk and solids, even sloppy stuff, could leave them dehydrated.

I usually offer 2 tstes the first day (about day 18) then three then on to four.  by the time they are 4 weeks old they are eating 4 meals a day well as well as feeding from Mum.  At around five weeks Mum starts feeding them less and they really start eating like little hogs.

My own breed the pups are walking around at about 2 1/2 weeks and really runing about well by four weeks.  Have seen some other pups in alarge breed at 3 weeks where they don't even attempt to get to their feet.

I would expect all pups to be within a day or so of their siblings developementally and would be checking out any really slow pup.

We start offering our pups Weetabix and goats milk at four and half weeks.  They absolutely love it squished up.  The goats milk is very gently on their little tums and easily digested.   They move onto puppy complete (with a little tinned puppy meat to moisten), at around 6 weeks, but still have a good drink of goats milk twice a day (separate to feeding).  We have found that, in really hot weather,  puppies can just not feel like feeding, so we try feeding them really early in the morning, say 5:30 and again 8:30 am, then I'm not so worried if they just turn down the lunchtime feed, and give them, you've guessed it, a drink of goats milk.  In the main, to start, little and often is the key, gradually increasing amount and decreasing frequency.   We always leave a shallow bowl of water available.  Change often, as the little darlings constantly walk in it.

we also weigh pups twice a week, not only for worming purposes, but to make sure no-one is falling behind.