Well I was having a great day yesterday (posted on the Monday Morning thread!)

Today however seems to be going all wrong! Help!

Started off, ok got the kids to school came home etc:

Thought I would try the pups with some puppy porridge, as they seemed so active etc:  made the porridge placed it in front of them and they all shot over like a bat out of hell!!!
lapping it up like no tomorrow, couldn't believe as I remember with the last litter they seemed to take their time in getting used to the stuff, but hey I sat there watching them get covered in the stuff, lap lap lap,,,,,,

Then three of them starting reaching then brought up some of the porridge, others was fine, so decided to take the porridge out as maybe they was lapping it up to fast.

Kept an eye on them and things calmed down, for about 5 mins, then ALL of them started whimpering! my god I did not know what to do! panic panic panic!
by this time my bitch wanted to see what the fuss was all about and went in and cleaned them up, they all still wimpering at her, I thought maybe they was asking her for a wash as they was a bit sticky.

Decided to clean them up myself with a luke warm water and a sponge, then dry them with a towel so they did not get cold, all asleep now, couple of faint whimpers, but all seems calm again.

But I don't understand why three brought up the porridge? do you think they just lapped it up too quick?

> But I don't understand why three brought up the porridge? do you think they just lapped it up too quick?

I would think that is probably what has happened, just a bit too keen!!

Hi Gemini. They probably had a bit too much for a first taster, I expect the three who vomited are little piggies!!! If they have settled now and Mum is taking care they will probably be Ok later when they have had time to digest the porridge.
Have to say I always wean mine onto well minced raw (Pre-frozen and thawed) best minced beef. They just have a pea sized bit the first day two pea sized bit the second day (In two sittings) and so on. As they get used to it and want more then I mix a little well soaked compete in with it. It's worked for me for the last 20 odd years with both breeds so as they say, If it's not broke...don't fix it!!!
Good luck with your babies
Aileen and the girlies

Thanks Cari2 and Merlot, my mind is at ease now!!

Merlot, thanks for the tip on the mince beef, I will try this tomorrow, my last litter had the puppy porridge, and it took some time for them to actually get the hang of lapping it up so to speak, but this bunch must just be piggies! they jumped right in there as soon as I put the tray down and gobbled it up!
The pups will be 3 weeks on Friday, so there is not a rush for them to start weaning just yet as my girl does her job with her milk bar very well, and they always seem content after a feeding from her, it was just that they have seemed more active over the last couple of days that I thought I would try them on the porridge, but think that the beef mince would be much better for them in the long run, I don't normally do the raw mince until they are well into weaning but hay, I'll give it a go!!!
thanks again xx

Am I really wrong then waiting until the pups are 4 weeks old to start weaning?  They are a medium breed, but they are all very happy, gaining weight and mum is happy, so I thought I was doing the right thing, but I am not so sure now as I have seen a few posts where weaning has started before 3 weeks.  Mine were 3 weeks on Sunday.

I would think alot depends on the number of puppies, the bitches condition and what the feeding will be taking out of her. Has you bitch tried to regurgitate her food at all? That is a sure sign that she feels  the puppies should begin weaning. However I'm not suggesting you wait for that :-D. I think most do start weaning around 3 weeks.

Thanks, she had 5 pups and she seems fine with them, not regurgitated anything for them yet.  Her condition is good, but she has a VERY heavy undercarriage.  She is definitely not feeding them as much during the day, but more so at night as they are putting on around 70 - 100g a day, so they are thriving well.  I think I will give it a go tomorrow as they will be 3 1/2 weeks. :)  I actually can't wait to get started, but someone once told me they were better for waiting that bit longer, that's why I was holding off.  Our last litter were started at 3 weeks, but that was 13 years ago!!

Once again thanks for the advice. :)

hi i started weening on saturday, every meal they get they shivver and cry, i thought it was unusual too but the vet seemed fine when i spoke to her

ah bless their cotton socks!! :)
Put the puppy pen up this morning, such lovely weather, placed it in a part shade part sun position, brought the little pups out to have their meal on the patio!!  They are much better with their food now, no more sicking it back up!

They are all now fast asleep in the whelping box again, I haven't started on any housework yet, just spending my time watching the little darlings.

Gosh how they are growing so fast, I still think my 5 year old son has the best idea in that we keep ALL of the pups instead of just ONE!! :) :)

I have been sorting through my waiting list, and I don't know whether it is because of the time of year or because of the Credit Crunch, but some of the people I am contacting will either say 'no we have changed our minds on the breed' 'Its to early for them they want to wait a year' or a couple of said yes to arranging to come down again and secure a puppy but now I keep phoning them and there is no reply?
Don't get me wrong I do have plenty of people interested, mostly for the male pups, but it takes long enough to filter through the waiting list with the puppy questionnaire I send out, short list the ones that sound good, invite them down and then nothing. :(