Fear that my Shih Tzu will reject her pup

Question
I have a Shih Tzu who had one pup 6 days ago.  We keep both in a whelping box.  Lately, we've had to keep the door to the whelping box closed to keep the mom inside because she would rather stay out of the box and resume her life before her pup came, than be inside with the pup who needs her.  When she is out of the box, she often ignores her pup.  We do take her out to pee, etc., and feed her inside of the box.  When is the right time to give her access to the outside world again, without fear that she will reject her pup?  (My Shih Tzu is 2 and a half years old.)

Answer
Hi Elizabeth

If she hasn't formed a bond after a week, she may not ever form one.  You will have to continue letting her in and out with her pup with longer, and longer periods of allowing the dam her own time.  

The pup can start on solids at about 3 weeks but still needs momma's milk up to 6 weeks old

Good luck