Breeding puppies is a specialized activity which should usually get left to professional breeders. But having said that, there are sometimes circumstances in which dog owners could find themselves expecting a litter of puppies. Raising puppies can be an exciting and rewarding experience.

It may also be an experience wrought with disappointment if some guidelines are not adhered to or if certain sides of the duty are overlooked. The mother will spend the first few days after giving birth with her new puppies. If the mother does leave the puppies in this vital first few days, it’s going to be critical to observe their temperature closely. It is extremely important that the puppies be kept warm. The temperature can be steadily reduced after that. Though an enormous litter still must be kept warm, the puppies’ own body heat will assist in keeping them warm as they huddle together.

The mother will sometimes be terribly protective of her puppies and may display indications of agitation when people come around the puppies. Some dogs will move the puppies from place to place in an attempt to hide them from predators.

After the initial few days, and during the puppies’ first month there should be little need for the owner to do much of anything for them. They’ll be cared for solely by the mother in this time. The owner’s role should be one of monitoring the pups’ progress and expansion rate. The puppies should roughly double their weight in the first week. By teo weeks of age the puppies should be wary and trying to stand all alone. By the time they’re a month old the puppies should all be in a position to walk, play, and run around. By about four and a half weeks, the puppies should be eating solid food. A method to teach them to do so is to start feeding them a mix of canned or dry puppy food mixed with a tiny water or milk to melt it.