Hi I have a bitch and a dog small breed dog which had a litter last week.  Since then the bitch, for the first few days would not leave her litter however in the past few days she has only been going into the box when the pups need feeding.  The dog however is in their constantly cleaning the pups and encouraging them to go to the toilet etc.  He is even lying on his side and letting the pups try and suckle of his stomach.  This is very funny to watch but is it safe and right.  I let it go for two days but worry now incase he passes on dirt or bitch gives up on pups.

Dont get me wrong she feeds them when they need and there seem to be growing very quickley.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Gosh you have you been busy.. did you not just move house a few weeks ago !

I personally wouldn't allow this situation at all to be honest  not just for germs etc but that I am suprised the bitch minds. Maybe others have an idea.I haven't been lucky enough that my dog was suitable for my bitch so not really had the experience however I don't let any of my dogs around puppies until they are a decent age.

I'm no expert, but I've read that the father in the wild would naturally have some input in bringing up the puppies. As long as the bitch doesn't mind, and you make sure that the dog isn't bringing in germs from the park or wherever, I don't think it would be a major problem, but the experts will no doubt know better than me! Get some pictures though! :-)

We called back in to see our breeder and she had a litter that were nearly 9weeks old and dad had been there from birth.

I agree with lucyd
but i would give dad a bath .
if he goes out spray his feet
with virkon or disinfectant from
your vet
but if he in going in places where other dogs are
regulaly keep him away.  but if the bitch dont mind and
he is not showing any agression dont worry
let the man do the dirty work

I wouldn't really allow it but my Lastar was brilliant with his pups that were born earlier in the year.  Now I have another litter who are 3 weeks old and for some reason our 4 month old bitch is like a real mother hen she keeps getting in the pen and sitting with them and the mother of the pups just doesnt care less.  Never had this b efore and really wouldn't allow it but Carina and Carmen seem really happy about it.

my rush use to do the samre get in the whelping box when wispa was out of it,lick the pup and ply with them when they were older,
he justed loved pups and he would guild them in the right way with manners too,and he was a stud dog to,i still miss  him alot but his son chase who i got is a gentel gaint too but has but the girls in there place too as he the man of the house know,

My bitch has just had 7 puppies, 17 days old.  My other bitch and the puppies father have been interested since day one.  The mother doesn't seem to mind at all, the bitch washes the puppies and so does the dad, it's really nice to see.

Also, they are all very protective when someone comes around.

I had this exact same thing happen. My bitch (Toy Poodle) was never a good mother from the outset and wouldn't even lick the birth sac off the pups ..they probably would have died if I hadn't been around but all 3 survived. The mother hated being with the pups and would only ever go to them for feeding. The rest of the time the dad was with them. They grew healthy and strong and I had no problems with them at all. My mum had one of the pups and whenever she came round to visit she would always bring her but my bitch hated her being there and my dog spent most of the time keeping them apart. The pup died last year aged 13 and up until a few months before she died she was very healthy so it had done her no harm.