Question about Sadie's role

[LoveMySadie]

Could someone describe what Sadie should be doing now? The puppies are 5 weeks old, eating puppy food 2-3 times a day and still nursing whenever Sadie allows it. The goal is to have them weaned in 10 days or so.

How much time should Sadie be spending with them now? Her idea seems to be almost none...I'm not sure that's such a good idea. :NAH: When we're all outside she'll let them nurse sporadically, and plays with them there. She sleeps in the puppy palace with the puppies, but I really don't think that she actually gets into the shower area with them much any more. If I'm gone during the day, I leave her in with them as well.

But every chance that Sadie gets she bolts from the puppy room! She will often lie just outside the doorway, whether the door is open or closed, but she prefers not to go in.

So...what is her role now? Do I need to be concerned that she is walking away from the job?? :EEK:

Leslie

[bunnybutts]

Not to worry! Sadie is still being a good Mommy.

She is watching over them and doesn't want to nurse them every minute. Like us feeding 3 meals a day and a snack or two to the children but not letting them eat all day long. Also with laying near but not with them she is letting them grow independent - just like it's not good for human babies either to be held constantly. The puppies need to explore, play, interact with the others without Mom leading them every step of the way :CUTE:

Nature is a wonderful thing - most of the time....

[LoveMySadie]

Thanks! I thought that this was probably the case, but I am finding myself to be something of a "helicopter parent" to my puppies!! (Can you tell that I am a college advisor who deals with helicopter parents ALL the time?!?)

Leslie

[bayoucorgi]

Sadie is doing perfectly. Don't worry. This is wonderful. You don't want a dog that pines and worries and chews her feet and fur and looks for the puppies endlessly in frantic obsession. And there are those dogs just like those moms.

[taflar]

Could someone describe what Sadie should be doing now? The puppies are 5 weeks old, eating puppy food 2-3 times a day and still nursing whenever Sadie allows it. The goal is to have them weaned in 10 days or so.

The puppies should be eating softened kibble 4 times a day by now.

How much time should Sadie be spending with them now? Her idea seems to be almost none...I'm not sure that's such a good idea. When we're all outside she'll let them nurse sporadically, and plays with them there. She sleeps in the puppy palace with the puppies, but I really don't think that she actually gets into the shower area with them much any more. If I'm gone during the day, I leave her in with them as well.

Sounds like she's doing just fine. Leave her be and she'll wean them herself.

But every chance that Sadie gets she bolts from the puppy room! She will often lie just outside the doorway, whether the door is open or closed, but she prefers not to go in.

That's fine. Let her do as she pleases. If she wants to play with them fine. If she wants to let them nurse fine. Many corgi mommas will wean thier puppies themselves. (Then again I had one who wanted to nurse hers still when they were 8 weeks old.)

Do I need to be concerned that she is walking away from the job??


Nope. I think she knows what she's doing.

Peggy

Leslie[/QUOTE]

[MVons]

Leslie, how exciting to read how Sadie is such a good mommy.

Merrie