I'm sure everyone must be fed up with my woes! Sorry :-( 

The thing is, since I read Brainless' post about milk feeds, I decided I should step them up a bit.  She said she would be giving 6 a day, and I was only giving 2, so I stepped up to 3.  But since I've done that they are now only picking at their solid meals.  The only one they eat well is the one first thing in the morning (I guess because they are hungry after going all night).  The other ones they just sort of sniff, taste and walk off from.  I am feeling that they should be eating well 4 times a day now (4 1/2 weeks) but it's getting to the stage where they want just milk and no food.

Help!!

I think you misunderstood a little I meant milk with their semi solid food (I mix soaked puppy food with puppy milk 4 times a day and the bitch would fed on top of that), so my suggestion was to give two extra all milk feeds as well as the milk with their puppy food meals.

Oh I see, sorry, yes I misunderstood.  You mean mix the Arden Grange with milk instead of water?  I completely misunderstood what you said. 

Hi Joanne,

What you will find is they are probably getting enough food from the milk and that is why they are  not bothered as much with the food.

See Brainless's recommendations. Your doing well with them honestly..   You'll know by looking at them is they are getting enough by the bodies.

> You mean mix the Arden Grange with milk instead of water

Yep that's right.

As they get older you will not increase the milk more than this but increase the food and keep the amount of milk about the same.  At around 6 weeks you may notice them getting a little looser and that will signal cutting the milk back a bit, probably doing away with the milk with the food.

If Mum is not giving them any by then then a milk feed may be OK for a bit longer.  Just go by how the pups are doing.

They are very loose now.  Have been for a few days - I blamed the Lactol, but they are the same on Welpi.

Hi Joanne
Mine are on four feeds now per day, just over 4 weeks now :) They have soaked kibble either with water or goats milk, then I add various titbits but they love scrambled egg best, they don't come up for air!! Mum goes in last thing at night to tot them up till breakfast. Really mash the kibble up make it nice and soft, they love it. Lots of water for them to drink throughout the day, sometimes they have goats milk watered down, but thats not much fun for them to 'bathe' in (well not for me anyway ) LOL
HTH

Thanks Missie.  Seems I might be over-worrying again then lol.  Do they only have the one feed from Mum each day now then?

My pups 4 weeks too , on 4 meals a day , and only 1 top up from mum last thing at night . She quite happy not to go in with them all day and even at night although she eager to go in dosent want to stay long .

> Seems I might be over-worrying again then lol.

Yes you are........... but it's people like you - a good, caring and devoted owner - who make dog breeding an honourable hobby.
Just think what happens to these poor animals in puppy farms when this (and many other disasters) befall them.

Thank you Tooolz :-)

Right, I am now going back to plan A lol.  Milk mid-morning and bed time.  Plus 4 solid meals a day.  This litter has been exhausting, physically and emotionally, but that only makes me love them more!  Just had an email from someone wanting 2 dogs together...hmm....I think not!  I can see I am going to be even fussier than usual this time!!

I have had excellent results using Nutrolac which is puppy milk made from Goats milk, never any looseness.

That sounds interesting.  I haven't heard of it.  Do you know where I can get it?

Aha - found it at Berriewood :-)  Thanks Brainless.

The people who mailed for 2 pups are now saying that want 1 (after I said no to 2).  Does this mean they will get 1 from me and 1 from someone else?  I hate awkwardness, not sure what to say next.  Any ideas?  Never had anyone ask for 2 before.

I had a few enquiries like this I always said 'all booked' when they came thru it avoids exactly the situation you're describing with toing and froing and the worry that they will go and get another.
Angela

I am using nutrolac too and found it great no runs and they seem to love it. Mum did too. I put a scoopful in with their eukanuba before I pour the hot water on and mix it all up.
I got it from the animal health company and they send it next day for about £20 for the big tub.
Ours are 5 weeks now and on 4 solid meals which they love and Mum has them for a few minutes after 3 of the meals. We'll be cutting that down to 2 shortly.
I think you are doing really well, big pat on the back!