9 month old pregnant shih tzu

Question
QUESTION: As hard as we tried to make sure that our 9 month old female shih tzu did not tie with our 1 1/2 year old male shih-poo...she did anyway.  I contacted our vet to see if they could give her the shot to abort any possible pregnancy...they wouldn't.  They would only spay her, which we really don't want to do.  It was approximately 2 - 2 1/2 weeks ago and she is showing some signs of pregnancy.  I am wondering what are the chances (realistically) that she will refuse the pups.  Is it certain that she will or is there a reasonable chance she will accept them?  Is there anything that I can do to help her to accept and nurse them when they come?  Please advise.

ANSWER: Hi Katie

Dogs are like people in the sense that some females will take to their off-spring and some won't. A higher percentage of younger females will reject their pups but not ALL females will. A lot has to do with the breed.  

One of the biggest reason for waiting (and no blame is being passed here, life happens as they say)... is that the female is not fully developed mentally and physically.  And a female that is bred young will quit maturing out.  

So yes she may very well be a excellent mother.  What you can do to help her along is supplement her with Vitamin B complex and St. John's Wort.  These will help keep your female calm and stress free.

Good luck

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: When you say, "A higher percentage of younger females will reject their pups but not ALL females will.", do you mean a higher percent than older dogs, or more than 50% of younger females will reject their pups?  Do you have any idea what the statistics are for females under 1 year rejecting their pups?

Answer
Sorry I wasn't clearer Katie.  

Yes a 52% of younger females will reject than older ones (under 1 year of age)

Smaller breeds tend to reject 46% more than larger breeds (of young females).

These stats were compiled independently over 15 years with 30 breeders (including clubs) and 19 breeds.