The belief that puppies need to stay with their mother until 8 weeks old is a common misconception that can lead to misunderstandings and potentially harmful practices. This belief may have originated from the idea that puppies need their mother for socialization and learning during their early weeks of life. However, it is important to understand that the specific needs of each litter can vary.
Puppy Culture, a whelping education program by Madcap University, emphasizes that separating bitches from their puppies, or forcing them to stay with the puppies for an unreasonable amount of time, can have negative consequences for both the puppies and the dams. Breeders may face criticism or shame for not adhering to this belief, which can further perpetuate the misunderstanding.
Weaning puppies should be based on best practices that consider the individual needs of the litter. While it is important for puppies to have early socialization and learning experiences, it is also crucial for them to develop independence and bond with other Bouvs and humans. This can be achieved through controlled interactions with their mother, father, and other appropriate adult Bouviers.
Overall, it is essential to approach puppy weaning based on the individual needs of the litter, rather than adhering strictly to a generalized belief. Consulting with experienced veterinarians can provide valuable guidance in determining the appropriate timing and methods for weaning pups.
Weaning, transitioning away from nursing and onto solid foods, earlier than 8 weeks does not mean pups will go home any earlier. In Pennsylvania, where we are, the law is 8 weeks old before a pup can go to his/her forever home - unless a veterinarian examines the pup and provides a written consent based on the unique situation for each individual pups. With this in mind, not all pups within a litter develop or mature at the same rate. Therefore weaning and go-home timing may differ by each, individual, pup in a litter.
At 5 weeks old, our puppies are already consuming large amounts of solid food. Our female Bouvs have finished nursing the puppies, and our other household Bouvs are eager to spend time with them. At 5 weeks old, puppies are eating a goat's milk, small amounts of vegetables, egg yolks, and a little infant oatmeal. It is astonishing to see how much they eat! Each puppy will consume as much volume as an adult by the time they reach 6 weeks old!
Although our female dogs may occasionally nurse the puppies in the coming weeks, they also engage in playful interactions without holding back, so these visits are always supervised. Typically, by 5 weeks old, the responsibility of raising the puppies is passed on from the mother to the rest of the extended family of dogs in our household.
My experience is anecdotal and merely serves as an example that puppies staying with their mother for 8 weeks is arbitrary and lacks a solid foundation to become a general rule of thumb. An experienced breeder can trust their observations, consult a good vet when needed, and do what seems right.
There are certain situations where separating the mother and puppies becomes necessary. This includes cases where the puppies should stay with their mother longer than is convenient, when the mother exhibits pathological mis-mothering behavior, or when the health of the puppies or the dam requires separation.
This post was extracted from Madcap University: Puppy Culture, and rewritten to include our experiences at HOB.
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