I posted on my puppy update thread but thought I'd start a new thread to ask some questions...

My puppy is 2 1/2 weeks today, but had to be weaned and separated from mom because she developed severe mastitis and had to have surgery. The mom is now back with the breeders co-owner (away from the puppies) and the puppies are being bottle and tube fed by the breeders.

What are the possible consequences of separating and weaning the puppies from the mom this early?

Can it impact any socialization or anything else they learn from their mother?

Anything else you guys can think of that can be impacted?

Thanks in advance!

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Hi there. I am by no means any expert and should probably let someone who knows answer, but my dog is also at our breeders house whom I co-own her with, nursing puppies. The breeder said she would start introducing food at 3 weeks. So hopefully the amount of time this is occurring will not be so critical to cause any long term issues.
Good luck with your puppy / all the puppies and for mom's recovery :-)

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Boomer, Gladys, DeeDee, and Dawn

Thank you so much!!


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I am thinking a pro is socialization with people, but I am really hoping some of the breeders here might chime in.....

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I don't think you need to worry. You took the time to find a good breeder and from what I've read from the breeders on here they go to great lengths to make sure the puppies get what they need. I would say, have faith and ....breathe LOL

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Thank you! I think I needed to hear that!

Monte had so many health problems and I'm not sure if they were genetic or environment or a mixture of both, but I get concerned that anything the puppies go through now can have an impact on their health and well-being later on. Since we were always dealing with health problems with Monte, he had poor social skills with some people and other animals since he was always cooped up due to one health issue or another and we weren't able to properly socialize him. Although, this got better as he got older since he was ALWAYS at the vets office interacting with people and animals.

But, you're right, we did pick a wonderful breeder and I need to have more faith and trust that they have thought of all possible consequences. I think that Mayve, you're right, a pro can be that they are more socialized to people...especially since they are constantly handled by the breeders, their children, and since they've been at the vet a few times with mom they have met those people as well. And, all the puppy families visit once a week, so they are getting adjusted to many people. Hopefully they can learn puppy socialization from each other!

Thanks again for your input!

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I have read this happening a couple times on this forum, and the breeders bent over backwards to give these puppies what they needed, but I do understand your concern.

Hopefully one of our experienced breeders will chime in.

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I am not a breeder but I would assume that your breeder has other female dogs (not for nursing). The motherly instinct in them many times takes over and they care for the puppies just as the mother would except for nursing them.

I would be more concerned as far as their immune system development since now they do not have the mother's milk.

This is so true! My breeder's older dog started lactating and actually nursed alongside the mommas! You'd be amazed!

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I'm not a breeder, but my last dog was from a litter rejected early. He was an English Setter- field lines, excellent breeder. Mom just... was not into it.

He turned out to be healthy (lived to 14+), super friendly, fine with other dogs (though never really into playing with them- he'd rather hunt). Wonderful dog.

He was never very food motivated- I did wonder if that's because he didn't have to fight for a nipple as a pup. And he wasn't really a little pudge ball when I got him. Unlike my current golden, who had total puppy belly and is VERY food oriented!

So yep- just a word or encouragement that your pups should end up fine. Maybe even extra cuddly! Jack always did insist on sleeping in the bed with me. And if it was cold- he was under the covers with his head on my pillow!

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