Advice on having five 6 week old puppies in your house???

[sweet_ceana]

No, that was not a typo. Unless someone magical steps up tomorrow Chris and I are going to have five 6week old BC pups delivered to our abode after work. The rescue wants to keep them together until they are at least 8 weeks for socialization. They may be able to split up some 3 and 2, but no one has stepped up thus far to take a few off of our hands. At least we know they feel we are a capable foster home!

 

We got miss Ceana Lynn at 7.5-8weeks old so I have absolutley no experience with pups younger than that. Besides letting them learn that biting hurts and letting them play with each other tons, what do I need to know? Is caring for a 6 week old pup like caring for an 8 week old pup? I have never had more then one pup at a time... and advice on what to do with multiple pups? Should we take time to play with them each individually every day or just play with the whole bunch all together only?

[SoloRiver]

I have no advice for you, but I am so jealous. I would totally take a couple off of your hands if I could.

[NC_Y2K9]

Dexter came to live with me at 6 weeks. The main difference I noticed is that motor skills aren't as developed as in an 8-week old. I didn't think I'd be able to notice as big a difference, but I definitely did. There's a lot of falling off of things, stumbling, no depth perception (which is actually pretty entertaining). They just kind of stumble around at that age like cute little roly poly furballs.

 

That being said, he was still completely able to learn and quick to potty train (2nd day home) so I don't want to give the mis-impression that they're so young at that age that there's nothing to do but watch them in all their cuteness.

 

I would definitely say playing with each one for a few minutes at a time is the way to go, but others may have more experience in having a group of youngsters.

 

Best of luck, and, I'm sure I'm not alone when I say....PICTURES, PLEASE!!!

[Dal & Mad's Mom]

I dont know what you have available for space but, I use my laundry room and throw in lots of toys. Towels work well to train for unavoidable accidents and I Took them outside 2 times a day but, that isnt always available either. They are very fun at that age but, they can be loud and messy. Have fun

[juliepoudrier]

I think socialization is a big thing--with each other and with people (gently). I had a regular stream of dog-savvy trusted friends who came over to visit with my puppies and I think it went a long way toward making them people friendly at an early age (my visitors were not people who frequented places where lots of dogs went, so I didn't worry about them bringing disease in on their shoes). If you have a way to get them safely outside in the sunshine (with plenty of shade available and under supervision), do so. I used a couple of X-pens hooked together. When they were really little, I stayed out with them, even while they were confined in the pen; as they got a bit older, I felt comfortable leaving them out in the pen with freequent checks (especially to make sure they had water as they were very good and playing in it and dumping it out). I don't remember Lark being less coordinated at 6 weeks, but even if they are it will quickly pass. You can certainly start working on housebreaking at this age too. And as someone else mentioned, try to give each pup individual attention as well. It will be like a baby Ceana x 5 plus some! Have fun!

 

J.

[PSmitty]

My only advice is to take lots of pictures for us!

[Pili]

I have not experience fostering any dog, let alone a half dozen pups, but as the owner of a small child fearful dog I do have a suggestion. See if some of your dog savvy friends have toddlers that are gentle. Get them to come play with the pups - a lot!

[MaryP]

I would suggest that you put them on a plane to FL. I would be in heaven to have all those puppies. Of course, my dogs would probably feel differently.

[desertranger]

Give them to me. A box full of puppies. How exciting. How wonderful.

[JohnLloydJones]

They do look adorably cute -- their photos landed in my inbox during the night. I wish we were equipped to cope, but you'll just have to invite us over to help socialize them. I don't know how people could just dump them.

[Gary M]

Tequila?

 

One of these days I so want to get a puppy! I am so jealous!

[Lenajo]

a big xpen lined with newspaper (if over hard, waterproof flooring) or lined with tarp and then newpaper (if over carpet or wood). At 6 weeks they should have some bowel control and with a good schedule you should be able to take them out enough to keep the daytime mess to a minimum. Enough means every 2 hours *minimum*.

 

Remember that pups are programed, if allowed by adequete space, by nature to go towards light to potty (that is away from the darkness of the den) so placing a litter area (we use a plastic pan filled with wood shavings) in the most lighted area of the indoor pen works well. By 4 weeks you will see most pups leaving the box to potty in that area. You can also help that by calling the pups to that area whenever they wake up and the minute they walk away from the food pan.

 

The litter pan helps a lot during bad weather and if you have to leave for a few hours.

 

Good food, normal socialization (lots of deliberate handling all over and love, but don't wear them out). Keeping them clean is a huge socialization -washing toes, legs, face, and noses after meals LOL

 

They can meet older dogs that like puppies, but they will try to nurse so the adult should be tolerant enough to walk away or redirect (my guys lay down so the pups can't make a mistake and bite a non-mommy area) without anger.

 

If decent weather the pups can be taken for short walks and allowed to explore. Lots of "here puppy puppy" and hand clapping with get them moving. Sometimes its easiest to carry them outside away from the doors (where they always want to hover for whatever reason), play a while, then walk back as a group. Simple toys will be the most fun - a cardboard box, a piece of tug fleece, a twisted sock with a ball in it.

 

Don't pad the pen with towels. It teach the pups to pee on material, and they can choke on them from chewing and tangling. Also be sure of what is in reach from the xpen fence. The litter I had 6 years ago were masters at mass moving the xpen so they could reach tasty items like sofa cushions and window sills LOL

 

Have fun. 6 weeks is a great age!

[nancy in AZ]

Gosh you're brave!! (and so kind-hearted) Will you be keeping an online journal?

[Pili]

Gosh you're brave!! (and so kind-hearted) Will you be keeping an online journal?

 

That's a great idea!

[sweet_ceana]

PHEW!!! We have been saved! Someone with experience with young pups and who is home all day is going to take all 5 until they hit 8 weeks. After that we may wind up with one or two. I love puppies, but 9 dogs in my house (7 of them fosters) would have been a lot. I would just feel bad leaving 6 week old dogs home all day while I was at work. This also allows us to plant our summer grass and garden this weekend like we hoped.

 

Don't worry... I should hopefully have at least one foster from this litter in a few weeks to post pics of.

[BustopherJones]

Gosh you're brave!! (and so kind-hearted) Will you be keeping an online journal?

Where would she find the time, with 5 puppies in the house?

[Sasha's Mom]

Heh. Six week old are VERY cute! We've "raised" several litters from newborn to 6-8 weeks for our rescue group, and I will say that the older they are, they become a lot more work... especially with that many! I'm glad you will probably only get a couple, but fostering a big litter is definitely an experience.