Follow-up question

Question
Ms. Crierie,

Me again! I sent you a question last week about our new puppies, thanks for the quick response.  Since the Mom smothered a puppy by sitting on her, we have been holding constant vigil with Mom and Puppies.  With the holidays coming up, and today the puppies make 7 days old, what is an appropriate time frame that they can be left alone?  Also, how long can Mom and puppies be apart without causing stress/anxiety on either part?

Answer
Hi Tara

A whelping box works best for new pups.  It's very common for mothers to suffocate their pups.  If you line a box with bumpers,  rolled towels or sheets, Styrofoam or 2 x 4's helps.

The mother can be separate from her pups for a couple of hours -- I would let the pups have a good feeding then take the mother out.  She can have a couple of hours of her own time, and it also gives her milk an opportunity to come in.