very young rott pup

[lopezjohn49ers]

I am new to this site. I have a male rott pup that is just 43 days old. I have had him for 12 days. Unfortunately I did not realize the importance of him being with his mother until 8 weeks of age. I do have the option of returning him since he came from a family member. The pups mother and siblings are still together. Would it be confusing for me to have him stay with his mother while I work and bring him home at night, or should I just leave him with his mother until the 8 weeks is up. I do take him with me to work now. He gets about one hour of play time and about a three hour nap. He does sleep through the night in a crate. I also have three other rotts. Two who don't want to play and one female that is very gentle with him.

[moondog]

You should let him stay with mom and littermates, 24/7, until he's 8 weeks old. You're really fortunate to be able to do this, because most people who come here after bringing a puppy home too early don't have that option, and it's VERY important! He will learn much he needs to know in the next 3 weeks about VERY important things, like bite inhibition, doggy language and interactions, self-control, etc. It sounds like you have the option of visiting during that time to play with him, and if so, go ahead and do it.

Read the stickie threads on the index page in this forum (Puppy Development) and you will learn a lot about early development and a puppy's needs.

While you're waiting, find a good young puppy class and sign up so when he's old enough, you can get him right in. Read about vaccination protocols (they've changed quite a bit), puppy rearing, etc.......there's plenty to keep you busy while he's getting his early lessons from his family!

[marianne]

Yes do return him to his mom and littermates! He will still your pup BUT right now HE needs his mom more!
And thank you for asking about your boy. You will have a better adjusted pup by keeping with his mom till he is 8 weeks old.

[lopezjohn49ers]

Thank you so much for the advice. I will be sad, but his well being is what is most important. Is there any chance his mom will reject him?

[marianne]

His mom will remember him! And so will his littermates!

[moondog]

I'm not a breeder, so this is outside my personal experience, but I think it would be highly unusual - and at this age it's normal for him to be doing more interacting with littermates and less with his mom - I think to her it'll just be one more rumble tumble puppy back in the group. Many times a surrogate mom and litter is used for this purpose (if the mom died during whelping, for instance) and as far as I know any good mom will accept puppies.

Not to worry!

[lopezjohn49ers]

Thank you very much. I am new to this site, but expect to be here daily. I sincerely appreciate everyone being so willing to share their expertise. I brings so much comfort to not feel alone.

[AngelBunny]

I'm glad you're staying to read. You're sure to learn things that will benefit your three other Rotties.

[Diane Heller-Vaccaro]

You might suggest that the breeder takes a pup or 2 out of the whelping box and let them play and crawl on one another this way when she puts the puppies back mom will do a fast count everyone smells like her baby.

I've done this with fosters both puppies and kittens, if I have orphan rescue babies and someone has a mom in foster care that is nursing we always let a mother raise them we could never make up for what they get from have a mom, even a step mom.

[rottcrazed]

The one issue I can see happening here is that IF this 'breeder' allowed her litter to leave her home at what, 31 days old - 4 weeks old, which is not even at a WEANING point in most breeder's homes, I highly doubt that she is going to take a puppy back to just allow it time with Mom and sibs.

My guess is that there are no puppies still there and mom has no milk and may or may not deal with this pup.

Breeders like this do this breed an INCREDIBLE disservice not allowing the puppies to be properly reared while in Mom and breeder's care.

Your puppy has not even developed his adult brain yet (that happens at 49 days old, or 7 weeks), so he would most certainly benefit from a foster mom and other puppies to play with, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this 'breeder' is not going to be very accommodating.

Kristi

[lopezjohn49ers]

Just checking back in to say the puppy went back to his mother today. Taking the pup so young was just ignorance on our part. The breeder wasn't pushing them out the door. Mother and pups are all together again. Went to visit and play after work and all seemed well except my pup seems more interested in people than his mother or litter mates. Will this just take a day or to to get back in the swing of things or is it too late?

[MissMary]

Originally Posted by lopezjohn49ers

I will be sad, but his well being is what is most important.

That is what I like to hear! You are off to a good start IMO, you care more about your pups needs than your feelings and you are willing to take good advice. Keep it up!!
I must say I have some concerns about your breeder tho. Is this a BYB? Just asking?
Btw what is your pups name?

[lopezjohn49ers]

My pups name is Sauncho. I do not know what the initials BYB mean in reference to the breeder.

Just figured out what BYB means and yes they are.

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by lopezjohn49ers

Just figured out what BYB means and yes they are.

Was this an "oops" litter or will they be breeding again (and again)??

If you reclaim this puppoy at eight weeks will this just encourage them to breed MORE puppies?

By the way - welcome to the forums - lots to learn here

[lopezjohn49ers]

This was not an oops litter. It was to continue a blood line that is in our family. I have this pups grandfather. Dearly loved and cherished but very old now. They have plans in place to fix mother now. This is her first and only litter. Only four pups. One to keep for themselves one for me and two to daughter. Not done for profit.