Hi

Not my bitch but a friend of a friend.

I dont walk my bitches when they have pups. Dont want to risk them bringing anything back.

I know  a bitch that has a three week old litter and is getting walked, Saw her this morning and there were 5 dogs sniffing around her . They werent bothering her it is just somewere that is very popular with dog walkers so always some around and they were standing having a chat.

I casually mentioned the other day I wouldnt take mine out because of the risk and I got a blank look. I am not sure if  I should say anything else. This is there first litter but I know they are getting advice from the orignial breeder. 

Am I just being over cautious

Wendy

If the bitch is nursing the pups they will still be receiving their antibodies from her. If her immunity is up to date then the pups will also have protection. The risk is no greater than that posed by humans going in and out of the house without completely changing their clothes and showering before going near the bitch or litter.

I've always taken my bitches out for walks from about 4 days post-whelping, and have never had a sick puppy or lost one for any reason.

i walked my nursing bitch from 2 weeks but am told its ok after a few days from birth.

I spray myself and anyone else coming in with Parvocide while I have pups. :D 
I don't take my bitches out while they have pups.  I wouldn't want pups to risk kennel cough, for instance, which like humans getting 'flu, is OK for healthy adults but can be fatal for babies and the elderly.

I don't take my girls out whilst nursing actually don't until the pups are gone, to me a much bigger risk than myself going out to areas where it's not very likely for dogs to go!

I do believe that some people can be too sterile in their approach to protecting pups, but I just wouldn't chance for 7 or 8 weeks taking my girls out and I can tell you now that they are an active breed and it does them no harm.

Ditto Val - everyone was duly soaked head to toe :D :D :D 

Only had one litter but followed my breeder's advice and mum stayed home - didn't seem to bother her at all and gave me much needed peace of mind (I was born to worry :rolleyes: )

regards, Teri

The other dogs going in and out of the house as well keeps up everyone's immunity too. :) Having the bitch break her heart when she sees the rest of the gang being taken out can't do her stress levels, and so her milk supply, any good at all. :(

You're probably right JG - they got sprayed too though plus doormat outside and carpet inside the entrances were saturated in Parvocide :D :D :D   I guess it's down to taking advice from our mentors and personal choice.

regards, Teri  :)

Mine really don't seem to mind being left behind.  They would create a dreadful racket if I tried to leave them behind when they didn't have pups! 

I don't take mine out for walks until they choose to appear at the door with the others to have collars and leads put on. When they decide they need a break, they get one. That's always been around day 4 or 5. :)

With my first litter I kept mum at home until the puppies were almost weaned although she wasn't happy about it. This was on the advice of my mentor. The next time I decided to start walking when she wanted, about a week afterwards, and she was much happier, more relaxed and contented all through. I try to avoid very busy walks and stick to the fields and so far have not had any problems, also helped her to return to pre puppy condition much sooner.

Thing is parvo can be spread by peoples shoes, dogs paws, car tyres etc etc & it stays in environment for up to a yr. Although immunity is passed from dam to pups (assuming she has immunity) this immunity does wane & its then they need to build up their own immunity. The more they are exposed the more their immune system is challenged & immunity will be built up.

My last litter I was careful but didn`t go over board like I did my previous litters :rolleyes: If she wanted to go out she came out, can`t say if she didn`t cos she always wanted to go out after they were a few days old even if it was just for a few mins :D

My others were in & out as well & although seperated it was only by a baby gate & she mixed with the others when she wanted to but I used to wipe her teats down with colloidal silver, in fact thats the only disinfectant I used even around the house :D

Gosh JG I'd say WEEK 4 or 5 before mine would want to go anywhere!

I've always walked mine as soon as they are ready to go - usually within the first week. We don't live in an area where we are likely to meet many other dogs though but, let's face it,  there are plenty of germs everywhere
Up to now, the pups have come to no harm & the Mums have remained fit, health & contented. They'd go stir crazy if they were kept in, much as they love their pups.

I would prefer my bitches NOT to be walked until the pups are about 3 weeks old but my bitch that is nursing a litter only 10 days old has begged to go out for walks so she has been for the last 2 days. I am wary though & she doesn't meet many other dogs. If she doesn't want to go that is up to her I wopn't force her. She usually misses the morning walk as she is feeling maternal but those feelings have worn off by the afternoon so walkies she goes!!!!

Ditto as per Jean, I walk my girls from the first day they ask to come, usually around say 3 or 4 post whelping if all went reasonably smoothly. I just wipe them over with a antibacterial wipe after coming home and let them clib in. I don'tallow them to swim until the pups have stopped nursing however. Might be ridiculous, but its worked for me over 15 years ;-)

Di