[mandage31]

two of my dogs have had puppies. all but two of the puppies have gone to homes. one of the two we are keeping, the other has a home but is being kept here for a while. The two that are still here are 8 weeks old and still trying to nurse on one momma dog. What can i do to get them weaned completely? Please help!!

[DogAdvocat]

Originally Posted by mandage31

two of my dogs have had puppies. all but two of the puppies have gone to homes. one of the two we are keeping, the other has a home but is being kept here for a while. The two that are still here are 8 weeks old and still trying to nurse on one momma dog. What can i do to get them weaned completely? Please help!!

Why not let mama decide when she's had enough?

[britishbandit]

I agree, mama will nip and growl at them when she's had enough. They'll soon stop once she starts doing this.

[Leila12345666]

Well by 8 weeks they can definatly start to eat dry and can foods. Just separate them untill your other puppy goes home and feed your other puppy dry and can foods.

[Leila12345666]

PS: Im curious what breed are they?

[TiffanyRenee]

Well, doing much research on extended breastfeeding for my children, Ive learned that animals (of any kind) should self wean. Yes, I know that most breeders and such dont do this but I feel it is the only way. Just as some children will only nurse to 2 years while others will nurse to 5 years, same as puppies.. some puppies will nurse longer than others... Id let them self wean

[DogAdvocat]

Here's an article on weaning. It suggests that you feed the puppies before they normally nurse from mama, but also you need to start helping her to dry up. It tells all about it, but I think it could have been a little clearer that after the puppies eat what you feed them, they should go back with mama, even if they do start nursing a little bit. Think of it as dessert.
http://www.petcaretips.net/how-wean-puppy.html

Also, please ignore the advice above about feeding dry kibble. If you need to feed kibble, be sure you add liquid to make it a mush.

[mandage31]

they are mini dachsunds. The other pups are dachsund/ rat terrier mix.

[Leila12345666]

Ummm when breeders find their puppies a home they suggest you feed them dry kibble, why would you not? They are old enough to eat small dry kibble.

PS: I ment kibble mixed with canned food. That how i feed Nena.

[DogAdvocat]

Originally Posted by Leila12345666

Ummm when breeders find their puppies a home they suggest you feed them dry kibble, why would you not? They are old enough to eat small dry kibble.

PS: I ment kibble mixed with canned food. That how i feed Nena.

Umm, when breeders find their puppies a home, they are weaned.

[britishbandit]

Originally Posted by Leila12345666

Ummm when breeders find their puppies a home they suggest you feed them dry kibble, why would you not?

Dry kibble for young pups is too hard on them. First off, their teeth are only just coming in, and they aren't able to chew dry kibble just yet. It's possible they could swallow the kibble whole without chewing (if they even attempted to eat it), which would be hard for them to digest. "Gruel" (softened kibble), is much easier for them to digest.