Hi,  5 of Molly's pups have gone now (sob! sob!), and I've kept one - Max -he's adorable. He's 6 weeks old, eating and drinking fine but Molly still lets him have a drink a couple of times a day.  Will this prolong her keep producing milk or will it just dry up anyway?

IM NOT 100% BUT I WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE THE SAME AS IN HUMANS WHEN A WOMAN KEEPS BREASTFEEDING HER MILK KEEPS PRODUCING THATS WHY SOME BABYS GET BREAST FED UNTIL THEIR 1 AND A HALF HA!!  SO I THINK AS LONG AS HER MILK IS GETTING EMPTIED MORE WILL BE PRODUCED.

If the bitch is quite happy to give the occassional 'drink' then let her, she will decide in her own time when she has had enough. As all the other pups are away she will naturally reduce the output.  I have had pups niping in for the odd suckle at 12/13 weeks.  Mum puts a stop to it when the time is right.

Ouch have just realised that pups are only 6 weeks old, a little young to be leaving mum I would have thought!

Yes, six weeks is young - Molly is a rescue dog, bearded collie x and she is only 14 months old herself so the rescue centre advised us to wean the pups as early as possible.  She's been a really good mother under the circumstances and even though she had been 'on the run' after being abandoned for the first 6 weeks of her pregnancy all the pups are healthy and a good size.  3 of the pups are being rehomed through the rescue centre, 2 have gone around the corner to good friends of mine and I've kept 1.
The other reason I was asking about the milk is that we need to have Molly spayed and the vet has said this can be done about a fortnight after her milk has dried up.

Sorry, I do remember reading all the posts on Molly, just that brain has disconected today, hmm becoming the norm recently :)  After all the good work you have done and the effort put into Molly and the pups, I come along and jump down your throat. :( 

See how mum goes with the pup over the next couple of days, she will stop the pup herself, although pup might try and push its luck a little, you can intervene.

When we have kept puppies we have let them carry on and the milk will dry up regardless by around 10 weeks.  If it is really worrying you you could get some galasop from the vets like we had to when Tigger had her operation and we had to have the milk dried up quick but if you are not worried fear not all will be back to normal soon.  Tigger was still letting hers have the occasional feed when Snodles left at 10 weeks although there was nothing there.

thanks everyone, and kayc its OK, no offence taken, I'm very appreciative of everyones help and advice. No doubt I will be asking further questions!