If the puppies resist this new food, and many may, just keep on trying. You may have to do this several times before the puppy gets the idea that this is food. Soon they will associate the smell of the food with eating and eat it with no help from you. Start cutting back on the moms food just a bit as well during this time to help her milk start drying up.
is a natural process that is necessary for both the mom and the puppies in future development. The process I will outline below assumes that you are not hand feeding an orphaned puppy (as this is an entirely different undertaking in itself) and that you are weaning a healthy litter of German Shepherd puppies, or another larger breed puppy – 1 or more in a litter.
However, if the litter is unusually large, you may wish to start weaning puppies a little earlier than normal in order to ensure that the bitch is not overly fatigued from feeding all her puppies.
Weaning puppy food formulas vary from breeder to breeder but I will offer you here the formula I use whenever weaning my own German Shepherd puppies – a formula that has worked well for me and my puppies for several years now and has resulted in many healthy, happy German Shepherds puppies, and then later, GSD adults.
Also, ensure that a plentiful supply of fresh, clean water is available at all times to your weaning puppies and adult dogs as well. You want this transition from mothers milk to solid foods to be as stress free as possible for both the mother and puppies and a well thought out weaning plan will definitely help this process produce healthy and food independent German Shepherd Dog puppies.
How to know when to wean your German Shepherd puppies
Under normal circumstances, it is best to start with supplementary feeding when the puppies have 2 1/2 to 3 weeks. Let us observe them with great care when they eat to be sure that they receive enough of their mother’s milk to fill their stomachs. If they cling to a nipple, suck enthusiastically and fall asleep, fed up and satisfied, we can be sure that the bitch gives them a maximum level of nutrition. On the other hand, if they move frantically from one nipple to another, sucking and searching, and their stomachs are not filled, this will indicate that the dog does not provide enough milk for their growth and well-being.
Often, when a dog has a small litter of one or two puppies, her milk will begin to disappear much sooner than if she had a large litter to feed. Also, if the mother has been covered too often without enjoying a break, her milk may be lacking earlier than it should. However, even in the case that the mother has enough milk to continue feeding the puppies to an appreciable degree, she will often develop, when the bait has 2 1/2 to 3 weeks, an instinctive and natural attitude of returning the content of their stomach, made up of half-digested food, for your puppies to eat, suggesting, in their own way, that the moment of weaning has arrived. If we have initiated a supplementary feeding regime at the right time, this attitude on the part of the bitch will rarely occur.
Starting the weaning process
To start the weaning process we must use any of the preparations suggested in the previous chapter for orphaned puppies. We pour part of this liquid mixture into a shallow pan after heating it to body temperature and use only enough of the milk mixture to cover the bottom of the pan. We must then maintain this, with one hand, just below the puppy’s chin and, with the other hand, gently hold it by the head just behind the ears and, without exerting force, submerge its muzzle and lips in the saucepan. Release the GSD head immediately,let him lick with his lips and he will like the taste of the liquid in them.
Speak gently and in a tone of encouragement each time we repeat the process. Sometimes, there will be a puppy that will start to lick the milk from the pan after the first contact, other times it will be necessary to repeat the operation until the desired result is achieved. It may be necessary, in certain cases, to keep the German Shepherd puppy’s chin in the pot until it begins to lick.
Let us be careful not to pour too much of the milk mixture into the saucepan or not to push the puppy’s head into the liquid, as it is imperative that their nose be kept free of the new food so that it does not breathe the liquid or block its holes nasal with milk If this happens the puppy becomes scared, look at the pan with distrust and the process of weaning is slower and exasperating.
Repeat the process with each puppy until all have begun to lick on their own initiative, should emphasize that although it will be necessary to keep the pan at the level of the chin during the first times that they are given food in this way, the pan can be deposited on the floor as soon as they acquire practice in eating, or licking, inside it.
Of course they will pile up and go inside the pot, staining and staining their littermates with their contents, but they will also become more expert in the process of eating in a container, which, after all, is the ultimate goal pursued. We will administer the mixture twice a day during the first two and, at the end of this period, we will have that the act of eating in a saucepan will have become a conditioned routine .
How and when to wean a litter of German Shepherd puppies.
When a puppy reaches a certain age, it is time for them to wean. This process involves lessening their need for their motherâs milk and care.Â
After giving birth, the mother dog naturally takes care of her puppies. They depend on her fully for nutrition and for security. After some weeks it is important that the puppies learn to eat solid food and rely less on their mother.Â
When should you start to wean puppies? You should start weaning a puppy when they are around three weeks old. This process can continue until the seventh or eighth week.
The weaning process should happen gradually, over a few weeks. Begin by separating the puppies from their mother for a few hours at a time. While separated, introduce the puppies to eating from a pan. This will begin to lessen the puppiesâ dependence on their motherâs milk and presence.
Feeding. Over time, gradually increase their food and length of separation. The puppies will develop self-confidence and independence during weaning. Donât separate a puppy from the litter during this time as it might be too soon.
Socialization. This is when puppies learn most about social behaviour from their mother and littermates. You can help by taking them to puppy classes and giving them social contact before they are twelve weeks old. This will make your puppy less likely to develop aggressive or fearful behavior.
Socializing your puppy can prevent later problems. Along with weaning, it helps with behavioral development and can affect the way puppies act when theyâre older.
When weaning your puppies, pay attention to the quality and taste of their new food. Dogs need their food to be appealing, not just nutritious.Â
Puppy Food. Feed them high-quality puppy food that has been created for them. Talk to your vet about choosing a food with nutrients that are essential for the growth of a young dog.
You should mix new solid food with warm water or canine milk replacer to moisten it. Puppies will love the warm soupy gruel and will eat it more easily. Always provide clean drinking water in addition to the food.
Encouragement. Puppies might need encouragement to eat food from a pan for the first time. You can help by letting a puppy lick the gruel from your fingers. Most puppies will learn to feed from the pan by themselves quickly.
The weaning process is complete when youâre able to feed the puppies regular dry or canned food. The puppies will also be more independent and not look for their mother all the time.
When weaning orphaned puppies. The weaning process is the same for puppies without a mother. Provide nutrition for the orphaned puppies using puppy milk replacer. You can get it through your vet or at a pet supply store. Your vet can teach you how to prepare and give the milk replacer safely.
Donât forget to check on the needs of the mother dog while focusing on weaning the puppies. Your goal is to make sure that the puppies are adequately fed, but their mother also needs support.Â
Keeping the mother healthy. Prevent milk overproduction and other problems, such as mastitis, by observing a feeding and separation schedule.Â
Ask professionals for advice. It is vital to involve your vet when keeping your pets healthy. A professional can help you manage the mother dogâs health and weight during the weaning process. The latter should have passed a feeding trial approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).Â
Be patient. Weaning can be stressful to both the puppies and the mother dog, along with everyone in the household. Remember to be patient with the mother and puppies during the weeks it takes to wean the puppies. Give them enough time to get used to their new diet and changing relationships with each other and you.