boxer bitch and puppies

Question
could you please help. my boxer bitch whelped eight healthy puppies, she is a good mum, but since the puppies have reached four weeks now, suddenly she spends little or no time with them, one or two of the pups scream constantly day and night, howling and hollering, i have had to remove one little boy and bring him in with me because he was so stressed, he settled immediately, now i have another one doing the same, mum will go in and comfort nurse as i am now weaning them, but puppy does not want her she just jumps up at the pen door and screams, until i pick her up, should mum be doing more for them and how long should she be spending time with them. thankyou for your advice.

Answer
Hi Pippa,

Thank you for writing to me.  Unfortunately I am not an expert in birthing and whelping but I can tell you for sure that this mama needs to be spayed so that she doesnt' have any more litters.  Now you are facing a problem of emotional trauma for these puppies that are in distress.  The best thing I can think of is to 1-contact your vet and get medical advice.  There may be a hormonal imbalance in the mom and 2-contact a PROFESSIONAL breeder with years of experience and ask for their advice.

There is also a product called DAP that releases the scent of the mother.  It is very calming for the puppies.  These are available on line.  You can also use a ticking clock. They do sell artificial heartbeat devices on line for stressed out puppies and babies.  They make the sound of a heart beating and this is very calming for the pups.

Are you aware that for every heat a female goes through there is a dramatic increase in the chance for cancer?

Are you aware that for every puppy born there is a dog waiting on death row because there aren't enough homes?

Please consider spaying your dog after this litter.

Best of luck with these puppies.

Shelley Davis