hi, i have 3 dogs, and one of my toy breeds had pups 3 weeks ago. they're still in my bedroom with me, as i was wary of bringing them downstairs because of my other dogs ( i have a medium sized female and a toy boy)

i tried to bring them down yesterday, but my medium sized bitch ( who is the most gentle dog in the world) went near them to sniff them....she only got to about 3 feet away, and mum went mad. she was obviously only protecting her pups, i know, but how much longer can i leave it before bringing them down? i want them to be well socialised and interacting with the other dogs before they go to their new homes in 5 weeks

i started weaning the pups a couple of days ago....should i wait another week or so, when they're not so reliant on mum for food and try again?

Hi Mandy, its the same here at the moment.  One of my girls has 4 wk. old pups and they have been downstairs for 1 week now, living in their own room.  Mum's daughter from her 1st litter is so excited and wants to keep going to have a peek at them but Mum is still growling although it is slightly less now.  I am sure that as the time goes on it will get better and when you move them downstairs just let the other girl have supervised access to the pups after a couple of days.  I would be very careful though that they do not fight.  Hopefully when they are fully weaned (i am aiming for just b4 6 wks of age) then Mum will be more aimable.  I know it is a worry though and hope that everything is o.k. for you and if you are in anyway not comfortable with the situation maybe keep the other girl away until fully weaned.

ok thanks wendy. my other girl is only curious....she's the oldest at 5, never had pups of her own, but when i brought my 2 toy dogs into the household, she just wanted to mother them! i know she wouldn't harm the pups, i'm just worried Ruby (the toy mum) might hurt them if she feels threatened. Ruby is fine with the other 2 dogs when she's out of my bedroom, it's only when the other female tries to get in there to see pups that she goes mad!

the pups are so cute at the mo, as they're just starting to play with each other, so i was hoping to get them downstairs into the family room....i think i'll wait and try again in a few days!

Mum will in her own time let the your other dogs near them, but she's obviously not there yet, give it time, another week or so.  Once the pups are up and wandering (or hurtling themselves) around outside of the 'nest' they'll all start to interact.  Don't force it.

Hi Mandy after my earlier post to you I have been down in the room with the pups and mum has let her daughter in for about 15 mins to see the pups, she had a few growls but overall it is getting a little better. Just give it time and hopefully all will be o.k. I wouldn't have thought your mum would harm the pups if she felt threatened at this stage.  My mum will often just get in with the pups when her daughter comes in but i feel sure she wouldn't harm her own pups.  I have heard of mum's doing this, but as far as i know it would be in the first few days from birth.

thanks mini and wendy.... i WILL give it another week or so before i try again. this is my first litter, so I want to do everything right!

i'm sure Ruby will let me know when she wants to start showing her babies off to the other dogs!

Hi....ive always had other dogs around when ive had pups. My little Chi girl had pups last week and i have a very curious 5 month old girl that wanted to peek. I would of moved mum upstairs to give her peace, but she wanted them downstairs. Even though my other bitch is nosey and i thought she would irritate mum, she learnt to keep away after a few growls. I think they sort of know. And even though mum doesn't want her near pups yet, she gets upset if i take her out without her.
Just gradually bring them down in the day when your there to supervise and im sure your other dogs will respect mum and keep away. There probably interested at mo as they haven't had chance to have a good look so are a bit excited by them. My youngs girls lost the fascination now and keeps away..lol.
Obviously take them back up if mum gets well stressed but im sure she will settle down.
Good luck and i agree pups are sooo cute when they start playing...you just want to watch for hours :)

I was just about to say you would all be shocked by my post until I read the last posting. My mother in law was a kennel breeder and always advised me to have pups in a lovely quiet place away from lively household life. When we had our first few litters I couldnt work out why the Mums didnt wnat to stay with the pups as long as expected and we lost a few pups. Then, eventually, I wondered if they actually wanted to be with us when they have their pups. Now, they have their pups in the lounge with the normal hubub of normal daily life going on, and each litter since I made this change has been very successful. We have always had other dogs around since I made this change, and if they have come too close within the first couple weeks, Mum has given a quick growl, just enough to frighten the other dog away (we too have a 4 1/2 month old pup at the moment).

Good luck with your pups and I hope all goes well

Nicky

Mine always have their pups in a room the other dogs do not have access to for the first two weeks.

This has always been a bedroom until on last two occasions when I have had them in the living room, but where the other dogs could not go as a tall gate is between kitchen and living room.  This has worked well as the sofa is one that can be used as a double bed for me.

At two weeks pups are transfered to kitchen and as Jazzychi has said I leave it to Mum to let the others know what she will stand in the way of nosiness.  the other dogs very quickly learn to avert the gaze at first and gradually as pups grow she allows more interaction.

Friends in my breed advised this is best, and for me it has the added benefit of keeping Mums interest in her pups because as a much loved family member they are often torn between their maternal instincts and wanting to be with us.  This way they can keep a close watch on the babies and still be in the centre of things.

I still feel as with Wild carnivores that the others are best kept away from pups until their eyes are open to avoid stressing Mum too much and for whelps safety.  It doesn't happen often but it has been known for another bitch to kill a litter.

My other dogs have never been under a year old when I have had a litter, and I would be much more cautious about having a young pup near a litter.

aw thanks for all the advice and help....i brought the pups down a couple of days ago, and mum has been fine so far.....my other toy dog (male 13mths) is VERY curious! he keeps whining at the pen when the pups are asleep, cos he wants to watch them when they're playing!

my other female ( medium size) has had a quick sniff at the pen, and yes, ruby (the mum) has growled a couple of times, but nothing major, so everything seems fine now :)