i've just brought my 3 week old pups down into their pen, in the lounge

i was just wondering, how long is it before they stop weeing on the bedding, and only on the newspaper?

as soon as they wake up, they wander out of the box, and wee on the paper, but sometimes they go in the other bed in the pen, and wee in there!! i'm doing as much washing now as i did when the children were babies!!

also, i've only noticed a couple of them pooing ( lovely topic, i know....sorry!!) when will they do this after every meal by themselves without mum licking them? i started weaning them a couple of days ago

Anytime now they should start toiletting themselves, mum will stop cleaning up soon and leave it to you.
Could be a while before they use the paper, ours are 6 weeks old now and still have the odd accident on the vet bedding, i have a washing machine just for the dogs in the garage, it is never off.

some bitches clean the pups until they leave at 8 weeks

Has that been your experience hayley123? 

I wouldn't have expected (or permitted) my bitch to do so for that length of period even if she had found it acceptable (which she didn't!).  By the time they were weaned onto four regular meals a day she gave them a VERY wide berth LOL :-D

no i just know it happens

Hi mandy

pups naturally try to migrate from their bedding area but remember they don't actually have any control over bladder and bowels for months yet so wont always make it :)  I'd remove the bedding from the other pen you refer to until they've relieved themselves.

Baby pups seem to poop for Britain - they will go shortly after every meal, during and after play and also when waking up.  Because they are getting weaning food now but still feeding from mum also, they wont have a regular pattern yet of being fed, sleeping and playing as they're still driven by instinct and doubtless mum is available on demand to keep them permanently topped up and not hungry. 

It gets a little easier (in some ways!) as they get older, say 5/6+ weeks in that when they need to go is more easily predicted but they do a lot more and it's a lot more smelly (lovely subject :-D )

HTH, Teri

>some bitches clean the pups until they leave at 8 weeks

None of mine ever have - as soon as the pups start solid food the mums want nothing to do with the nasty horrid stuff that they produce (they're none too keen when they're still milkfed, but follow their instinct.)! As far as they're concerned if I'm feeding them, I can clean up!

> As far as they're concerned if I'm feeding them, I can clean up!

That's the same message mine gave me - loud and clear :-D

Yes i agree, now its my job to feed and clear up,

As far as they're concerned if I'm feeding them, I can clean up!

That's been my experience as well. Not just with bitches, but with queens as well. Must be something built into them. :D

Mine will clean up until the pups leave if i let them! I'd rather clean it up myself once they're eating solid food, but it doesn't seem to bother them one bit.

I know one bitch, which makes life difficult for her owner because she persists in trying to clear up after her (1 year old) pups poop. The owner has to let them out separately in the garden and be very quick on walks to get there before she does!

first chance i've had to get back on here! my life has been totally taken over at the mo with dogs and pups!! but i wouldn't have it any other way!!

just wanted to thank everyone for their replies...it's nice that so many of you can put my mind at rest!

Hi Mandy  my pups are 5 wks old on thurs 25/9 and they are still not into set routine for weeing/pooing.  one of the boys especially still wees on the vet bed but i do think he has always been the laziest as all the others walk onto paper/training pads.  at least if you use the vet bed it soaks straight through and the fur stays dry, it is really good stuff.  anyway good luck with your pups, they are not with you for long, the time flies.

i know...i'm keeping one little girl..... how could i not? ;)  .....  but i'm already dreading have to say good bye to all the others! i know they're going to lovely homes , but it doesn't mean i won't miss them!

it is really hard saying goodbye but if you are keeping one then you will have her to concentrate on.  i kept one girl last time but this time i have new homes for all of them,i am also dreading the day they leave.  hopefully when my youngest has pups end of next year i will be able to keep one of hers.

thanx wendy....the tears will be well and truly flowing!! good luck with yours x