It's an instinctive thing, an evolutionary trait that surfaces from time to time. They'll eat a puppy when they see it as waste material. A dead puppy, or a sick one, will – in their perception - make the rest of the litter sick and / or weaken the chances of the group's survival.
While we often view our dogs as loving creatures that could do no harm, it's important to remember that their instincts are still there. It's rare for mothers to eat their babies, but it can still happen. The best thing you can do to prevent this behavior is to keep a watchful eye.
NEVER Handle puppies when their first born because your scent is on her puppies and if it's not her's 3/10 She'll reject them. Let her care for them for at least 2 weeks and Make sure she has plenty of food/Water and space For her puppies don't Stress her out because she may end up Killing them all.
If your female is feeling stressed or threatened by too much noise or activity around her puppies she may begin harming the puppies as a way to protect them from any perceived outside threat. Some female dogs just simply were not cut out to be mothers.
A female dog may instinctively kill another dog's puppies. However, it is a relatively rare occurrence triggered by hormonal responses or behavioral issues. Just in case, it is vital that a mother be given her own safe, sealed-off area in which to whelp, where other dogs cannot reach.
If the mother is still trying to care for any dead pups after a few days, be sure to remove them even if it causes the mother distress. Parasites from the decaying carcasses can be passed on to the mother and the remaining pups. If the mother or surviving pups seem ill in any way, remove the dead puppies immediately.
It is their way of showing how comfortable they feel around you and how much trust goes into your relationship. It could also be that the momma is extremely proud of her puppies and she simply wants to show them off.
If your dog is lying or sitting away from the litter for long periods, it's likely she may have rejected them.
Dog licking is an instinctive behaviour that dogs are born with. Female dogs naturally lick their puppies as a means of cleaning them and as a form of comfort. Licking also helps to stimulate blood flow in the puppies when they are first born and helps them go to the toilet.
Puppies should not leave their mom and littermates before eight weeks of age. The mother dog has so much to teach the new puppy; lessons that will affect him all his life, and his littermates teach important lessons as well. If the mother dog has passed away, the littermates need to remain together.
Most responsible breeders do not leave newborn puppies alone with the dam. There are many reasons why it's best to supervise the dam and her litter at all times. Inexperienced dams can quickly become overwhelmed by the new litter and not being present might cause you to miss signs of rejection.
It's generally advised to keep the male away from the mother and litter entirely, from the last weeks of pregnancy and until the pups are at least four weeks old when the mother is starting to wean them—ideally for five to six weeks. By then, the father can be a part of the socialization process.
A normal litter size can range from 1 to 12 puppies, with 5-6 puppies being average across all dogs. But just as every breed of dog differs by size, function, and personality, they also differ when it comes to litter size, according to AKC registration data.
Tips. After giving birth, your dog may display signs of aggression toward you or your family. This is normal behavior—she is protecting her pups, and will likely go back to her usual temperament once the puppies are a few weeks old.
Dogs often lick each other's private areas as a form of grooming and cleanliness. Mother dogs do this to their puppies to stimulate urination and defecation. However, excessive licking can lead to irritation and potential infections, so it's necessary to keep an eye on it.
Instinct is the main thing that drives a dog to eat their puppies, but there are other reasons too. Some may eat their puppies by accident, some may eat stillborn puppies, and some may be responding to stress or a medical condition.
During the first few days, newborn puppies can poop up to 12 times/day. This amount will decrease as they grow and spacing out milk intakes. They will also drop even more when he starts eating solid foods.
By about three weeks of age, you can—and should! —begin gently handling the puppies1 for short periods for reasons other than basic health care. Once the puppies have their eyes open, you can try carefully picking them up, holding them for a bit, and placing them back in the box.
At this young age, newborn puppies are incredibly fragile. Puppies under two weeks old need to be fed every 3-4 hours. Slightly older puppies, aged two to four weeks, should be fed every 6-8 hours.
Canine mothers muzzle grab their puppies (sometimes accompanied by a growl) to deter them from suckling during weaning. Cubs and pups also muzzle grab one another during play, typically between six and nine weeks of age.
However, puppies grow, and as they grow they become more and more mobile! Keeping them “in” the whelping box becomes a challenge! Smaller breeds are usually more easily contained in their box even until 7 or 8 weeks of age, when they usually go home.
Once your pet has finished whelping, try gently moving her and her new family to your chosen place. If your pet insists on being near you with her puppies, allow her. A whelping or nesting box in a quiet corner of the living room is preferable to an anxious mother constantly leaving her puppies.
For the first four weeks or so, puppies depend on their mothers for everything. The mother's first milk, called colostrum, is rich in nutrients and antibodies that help protect the puppies from illness while their immune systems are still developing.