Dam after delivery

Question
My 20 month old Shih Tzu had her first litter of puppies 7/25.  She was not very attentive at first but now she seems to be a good mom as far as nursing etc.  However, when I let her out to go potty; she comes in and wants to hide, like she is trying to get away from the babies.  We have her confined to a 3' x 6' pen area with the babies.  She does not appear to be sick and was checked by the vet after delivery on the 26th.  Is this normal for her to want to hide instead of going straight to her pen witht he babies when she comes back in?  She does not want to go potty and keeps running back to the door like she wants to come back in to get with the puppies; but she hides under the couch, chair, bed etc.  Is this normal behavior and what should I do?
Linda

Answer
It is quite normal for a bitch to act this way with a first litter. She should settle down in time. Try not to disturb her a lot but give her affection when she is alone and tell her she is a good girl when she is with the puppies.
They usually will accept and relax with the puppies in a week or so.
You cannot do much except talk to her calmly and guide her gently back to the puppies. If you have a little treat for her give it to her when she gets back in with them.
She needs to be on a free fed diet of Puppy food until these puppies are weaned. I recommend Science Diet Puppy Growth small bites because she and the puppies will benefit from it now and when they start eating.  

She will benefit now because she will get the PROPER nutrition she needs to nurse these pups and not get sick herself and they will benefit from her rich milk and optimum nutrition when they start eating.
What you put into these puppies is what you will get out of them so build them strong for a life time starting now.
She should then go on Adult small bites when they are weaned for the same optimum nutrition.
Let me know how she is doing in a week or so.