WHEN TO START WEANING PUPPIES FROM MOTHER

Question
WELL I'M BACK AGAIN.  THE PUPPIES EYES ARE NOW OPEN.  THE MOTHER IS BEING FED SCIENCE DIET PUPPY BITS LIKE YOU SUGGESTED.  SHE EATS ALL THE TIME AND GOES TO THE BATHROOM A LOT.  MY QUESTION TO YOU IS WHEN I SHOULD START WEANING THE PUPPIES FROM THE MOTHER?  ALSO HOW OFTEN SHOULD THEY FEED STILL ON THE MOTHER WHEN WEANING?  WHAT SHOULD I FEED THEM AT FIRST?  AS ALWAYS THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

Answer
Hi Denise,
I guess you are talking about the Yorkies right?
The mother will start weaning them at 5-6 weeks old. At that time, you can start putting the very same puppy food out for them, moistened with water so it's soft but not too mushy. A little canned works too, ust make sure you get the Science Diet Puppy canned.

She (Mom) is eating a lot because she needs this nutrition to keep her strong while nursing. Nursing burns up hundreds of calories and so she has to eat to keep up.

When they get to be 5 weeks old they won't nurse as often because  she will get up more often and stay away from them longer. It is at that time you need to get them out and onto the floor with the food in a flat plate for them. They will walk through it and make a mess so put papers down or make sure they are on a washable surface.
As they eat more and more food they will nurse less and less. If you get Mom spayed at this time she will nurse even less and thus they will wean faster. By the time they are a good 6-7 weeks old they should be totally weaned. That means not sleeping with Mom or they will try and nurse.

This is when you should take them in for their first shots and get started on Heartworm prevention and have them up for sale. Make sure all your AKC papers are in order so there is no mess up for those who want to register their puppies.

By this time they should be eating dry Small Bites Puppy Growth on their own and they should be fed in individual bowls three times a day. They won't eat more than a 1/4 cup nor should they have more than that. Anything they don't eat should be taken up in 15 minutes.
That way they develop healthy eating habits.

When you sell your puppies send a bag of this food home with them and let the new owners know that it is the best way to have healthy puppies and dogs for life. Tell them not to switch foods until they are a year old then to go to SD adult small bites. They will have long-lived and healthy dogs this way.

You did it! Be proud of yourself and your girl. You both deserve a good rest when this is all over!!