Pickles is a male blue merle sheltie. He is 4weeks old today and the sole survivor of his litter [only 2]. I have not raised a solo puppy before and would welcome any advice on how to keep him occupied and stimulated. I feel very sorry for him as he tries to play by himself! His mum and grandma keep him clean and well fed but respond to efforts to play by yet more grooming!

Singletons are fine on their own as they know no different .
Toys and lots of tickles is really all they need . Pickles will be ok and will be no different to any other puppy growing up . at least thats how I found it . Its the mother plays the important role in puppys life
Mari

I have raised a solo pup this summer and found her to be very slow physically. At the age of 5 weeks I actually put her in with the other dogs as part of the family and she really came on. By 7 weeks she was more or less clean and slept through the night. She was adorable.
Everyone told me solo pups were awful to rear as it was such hard work but I really enjoyed every minute of it.
She went to her new home aged 8 weeks and they were so pleased with her.

Good luck and enjoy him.

In my opinion what you never have you never miss and will be be ok with you having a play and his mum and granny watching over him

Hi, I have reared 2 solo pups in the last couple of years and it was a delight to do so! I had dreaded it too, thinking that they would be maladjusted or spoilt. Both mums dried up at 3 weeks ( which neither had with normal sized litters), and just wanted to get back to thier mates and were not interested in rearing them any more. So I brought them ( individually - they were born 2 months apart) into the house full time at 3-4 weeks. Luckily I have a wonderful "auntie and uncle" in Jimmy and Poppy so although they spent most of their time with me, they did each get to communicate with other friendly dogs who were keen to play, which must have helped their socialsiation. My son invented a toy that each loved, simply an old (unwashed I might add!) sock, well knotted, hung from the roof of the cage, and they loved playing tug of war with themselves ( and yes their mouths are both fine!). Also a buster cube was much enjoyesd,a stuffed kong and rask bones. Having only one it was so easy to take them on the school run, local shop etc and they came more or less everywhere with me in my arms from about 5 weeks, whenever possible. They did both have parvo shots at 6 weeks, which I dont usually do with litters. I was determined to not make them too dependant on my constant company and when I reckoned they were ready for a nap they went into their crate in the room next door to the kitchen until they woke. If I had to go out without them they were crated in the kennel ( it was summer, both times) next to the others, so they could see/hear/sniff them, with a kong, buster cube and a bowl of water. I think they were at an advantage really, they were both 100% house trained (crated at night) by 6 weeks, were very sociable with other dogs and people. I took them to puppy parties and then ringcraft as soon as their jabs were done and both have happy unspoiled temperaments. One was re homed to a home with small children, the other I still have. I think the only downside was that they were picky eaters ( no competition?) and had to constantly tempt them with extras to get their noses in the bowl. Becasue of this I ( after asking for advice here) fed them Arden Grange, as it was one of the few foods they ate enough of.

I have raised 2 or 3 singleton pups, all without any problems. The only difference I have found is that they tend to bond more strongly with their humans:). Junior, my "pet" (not a show or stud dog, just for fun) was fed by him mum and Aunt, and cleaned by his Aunt [$ Grandmother. He was the most contented pup ever, happy and confident (and completely spoilt])). He is now the most adorable companion, but definetely closer to me than the other dogs!
Gwen