Puppy's Sixth Week
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Again there are more changes in the routine. In addition to the ever increasing amount of ground up puppy chow, pablum and meat 3 times a day, I add some tiny kibble, since they are now getting quite a few teeth. I make the mixture a bit drier than before. They can't eat large kibbles but they can manage small ones - like a "mini chunk" puppy formula. Remember, over-feeding results in loose stools.(B.M's) I use a product called "Abady Mini-Snacks" in between meals for a treat, and a few thrown into the pen breaks up fights if necessary. Broken up Purina small Milk-Bones are a good treat too. The dam likes to check her pups about 3 times a day, and she is still nursing them when she visits. As the puppy food amount increases, so does the size and number of the bowel movements, so there's a lot of cleaning up ahead of you. At this time in their lives, I move them, pen and all, from the quiet area where they were born and have lived up till now, into the living area of the house. You'll need a good spray room deoderizer available all the time. I give them their toys, the water bowl, and old blanket at one end for their bed and put down newspaper at the opposite end. I move furniture around to accomodate the pen. If the area you are moving them to is carpeted, then purchase a scrap of linoleum slightly bigger than the pen to put over top of the carpet. I do not move the whelping box to the new puppy location. I clean it thoroughly, disinfect it well using Javex and water in a 1:30 part solution, cover it with an old sheet and store it away for the next litter. Bringing them into the living area of the house is an important part of socializing them for their future life as someone's pet or your next breeding or show dog. Encourage neighbourhood children to come and visit and play with the pups. This is the time to have potential owners come to see them, as well. The dam will be a little worried as they handle her babies, so keep a close eye on her. It is possible that she will guard them very defensively, and you may have to put her into a separate room or outside while the pups are being viewed and handled. Do NOT allow the pups to be in contact with other dogs. They have not yet been immunized and are losing some of the immunity they got from their dam's colostrum the day they were born. I take the puppies outside after every meal at this age. This encourages the beginning of housebreaking, since a bowel movement usually occurs about 10 minutes after eating a meal. A half hour of strenuous play and running is about all they can handle. If it's winter, cold and snowy, about ten - fifteen minutes is plenty. Make sure you have a bowl of water outside for them. They'll fall asleep after this outdoor playtime. I also put each pup on the grooming table for a brushing every day from now on. This takes about five minutes for each puppy. They don't really need a grooming, but the process is teaching them that the human is dominant over them, and that they must stand still while being handled and groomed. You can bathe each puppy this week, to get rid of the newpaper ink and their 'puppy smell', as long as you make sure they are throughly dry afterwards and don't get a chill. This week I collect an asssortment of stools (poops) into a zip-loc bag and take the bag to the Veterinarian to have a "Fecal Float" done. This is a check for worms. If the pups have worms, your Vet will prescribe medicine for them which is usually based on their weights and given in separated doses, 10 days apart. Don't forget to cut their nails!! |
Copyright 
2001 Marilyn Brotherton
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Disclaimer: The information, techniques and methods described in this web site are based on my experiences over many years.They may not be suitable for you.Nothing that I have written or demonstrated is intended as a substitute for professional advice from your own qualified Veterinarian. I assume no responsibility or liability of any kind regarding the use and application of any of the advice provided or methods and techniques depicted on this web site.