she been my mate so far up until now 4 days i went to clean the whelping pen out and she stuck her teeth into my right hand , i think it needs about 20 stitches , it was not just a warning it was a full blown bite  i feel sorry for her if i have stressed her out but i never intented to , what a good mum,

i find myself hating her now for doing this any help greatfully accetpted xxxxx

Oh dear you poor thing,I had a bitch many yrs ago who would not let me near her babies at all,like your girl she would have bitten me had I tried to go anywhere near her babies. That went on until the pups were 3 weeks old. Away from the whelping box she was fine but she was adamant that I had to stay well clear of her babies. The only thing to do is respect that she is being very,very protective and only deal with the puppies when she is locked either outside or shut in a room and is unable to get at you. I know its going to be hard but it's the only way to prevent you being bitten again or worse her killing her babies. I never bred her again. You must be very upset (understandably) but her maternal instinct is to protect her litter and some bitches can and will take it to the extreme.

Good luck.

In your other thread you said she didn't want to be with the pups any more, was the bite before or after she had been allowed out of the whelping area?

Her hormones will be all over the place.

You need to handle the pups regularly and weigh them daily so to avoid being bitten again you need to let her out to be fed or be toileted whilst you do it.

Unusual for a bitch to attack the main care giver.

You will have to be very careful with visitors to the house as she has bitten you badly she won't hesitate with them.

Unusual for a bitch to attack the main care giver.

I agree it is very unusual, we are the people they generally trust with no fear of their pups being hurt or taken away, I would be very upset, that she viewed me as a threat.

I would also call her to toilet and shut her out, whilst you change the bedding if she reacts like this, hopefully she will calm down for puppy viewings, but if you are in any way even a little worried you must separate her from the new puppy owners. Touch wood things will settle.

Have you had your wound seen at A&E? If not, please do as animal bites very often get infected and you may need antibiotics to prevent that. If you become unwell then you won't be much help to your girl. I understand that bites are not often stitched unless they are on the face, due to the danger of trapping infection in the wound, so please have it checked out by a professional.

Could it be worth getting your girl's calcium levels checked at the vets as this behaviour towards an owner is very unusual.  I know its probably not the most likely time for eclampsia (or pre eclampsia) being just after puppies are born but it could be worth ruling out.  A check may be in order?

thanks for everyones reply. i went the hospital they just gave me antibiotics it wasnt as bad as i thought. she is only like this with me she lets my oh near them just not me, also she is fine when shes away from puppies its just when she is with them. im so stressed out ill just leave her to it now till they are a bit older thankyou everyone

I'm glad you are ok. She'll be fine once her babies are a bit older. With my girl it was a result of me removing a stillborn baby that did it,even though she did not see me take him she still knew it was me and as far as she was concerned I was not going to take anymore! She was her old usual self away from the babies,very loving,she only turned horrible near her babies. Once the babies are up and on their feet taking over the house she'll be fine with you.

I might be off the mark here, but are you craigeee's girl? It would make sense as to why the bitch bit you if you are as she has given warnings previous and only trusted Craig to care for her and the pups. Might be wrong but it was 4 days ago too.

If so, then as we advised previous stay away and let Craig deal with her, apologies if this is a completely different poster but also if the bitch is happy for your hubby to clean bedding etc then you will also just have to do the same. :-)

I was just about to ask the same.

Like carrington says, (if it is indeed you, craigeee's gf) then you need to give the bitch space, you have given her reason (in her eyes) to be protective as you took a new born away from her.

I hope she settles soon.

> im so stressed out ill just leave her to it now till they are a bit older

And the bitch is far more stressed out than you are.  By continuing to force yourself on her, you are putting her on the defensive.  If she ends up attacking her pups, it will be because she feels threatened.  Please take on board the fact that you are upsetting this bitch, and leave her with her pups.  I honestly feel that you should stay away from her, rather than risk her pups welfare.

I agree you have to just leave the bitch well alone and let the other half interact otherwise as JeanSW has said she may attack her own pups, horrific as it sounds it is a real possibility especially with the adverse reaction she has taken towards you, and a fair few warning signs. Just back off for now and give it a few weeks, she will come around eventually buts its going to take time.