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Getting your bitch back in shape
Written by Michelle Linnane

All my bitches are working and my trial dogs. So it is very important to me that they get back
into shape as quickly as possible. Once the puppies are 2 1/2 weeks old and everything
is going well with the bitch and the puppies. I generally train every weekend and I start to take
the mother dog with me. It is ok if she is gone for a few hours so long as puppies are warm and
safe.
Also I go out in the yard and start to throw bumpers but I am very careful about how long they
are worked and there is no cover them to get hurt on. Once the puppies are three weeks I start
to feed them and start my weaning process. As soon as you get the bitch out of the the house they
start to take a real interest in training again. At least mine do. By the time the puppies are 4 weeks
old the puppies are eating three meals a day and the bitch is only nursing three times a day.
At this point I will start to run my bitch, but I only do singles and only marks that are not far.
Having a litter of puppies and nursing is a very taxing affair. But if you start the weaning process
at 3 weeks and ease the bitch back into training you will be amazed at how quickly they come
back. Almost like they never left training at all.
Be careful of the bitch that she does not get a sore or get hurt. Feel your bitch every day morning
and night to make they are not hard or there is no temp. Mastitis is very nasty and can lead to surgery
so make sure that you check everyday. By the time the puppies are 5 weeks old they should be off
the bitch completely and now you bitch can get worked a little longer each time. Becareful to build them
up slowly.
I have followed this routine each time one of my bitches whelps and normally you can tell they have
even had a litter. Becareful to make sure puppies and mother dog get good food during this time.