[JoyfulTI]

Recently my shih tzu gave birth to a litter a puppies. I am keeping all of her litter. But I notice the mother is very aggersive towards one of her puppies. I don't understand this behavior. It seems very aggressive were she is biting on the puppy leg but she does not damage the or perceive the skin. I want know if this is dangerous or if they are playing.

[Alty]

It very well could be that there's something wrong with the pup. Mother dogs have very good instincts, could be she senses something wrong.

How old is the mother dog? It could also be that she's too young to know how to properly care for the puppies. Some dogs have been known to kill their young, so keep your eye on things.

How old are the puppies?

[JoyfulTI]

Well, my puppies are going to turn 2 months old soon. And the mother is a year and 1/2. But she is only doing this to one puppy. But when she bites her she doesn't perience the skin.

[Alty]

Are they still nursing?

[JoyfulTI]

Yes, they are still nursing but we are weaning they off the mother.

[Alty]

It could be that she's done. Fed up with feeding. ;)

How long has she been doing this? Is it recent or has it been going on since the puppies were born?

Also, how many puppies?

[JoyfulTI]

Well, the biting only happen two weeks ago. She been letting them feed. But once in a while which my family does get concern that she bites the one. She had a litter of four. I am just wonder when do we stop the babies from nursing.

[Alty]

It depends on the mother and the pups. At 8 weeks they should definitely be weaned from mom, especially because she's showing aggression.

Time to start puppy food.

This could all be due to her not wanting to nurse anymore. Her job is done, she's probably just fed up.

Can't blame her, puppy teeth hurt. ;)

[JoyfulTI]

Thank you, for your adivice because she is not an aggersive dog at all. We already give the puppy food but now we will not let them nurse from her.

[Alty]

Thank you, for your adivice because she is not an aggersive dog at all. We already give the puppy food but now we will not let them nurse from her.

Do remember to take it slow, just cut down the number of times they nurse day by day until they're completely weaned.

Going cold turkey would be too hard on her, her milk supply has to slow down first.

Good luck.

Also, pictures, we love them. :)

[shazamataz]

I agree with Alty, sounds like she is fed up with feeding them and she may be picking on this particular puppy because he bites harder on her teats.

She could have problems with her motherly instincts as she was only a little over a year old when she had the puppies.

[Silverfoxkit]

I have to poke my head out of the hole here and suggest getting her spayed once you have weaned the puppies. Since you plan on keeping all of them you will also want to get them spayed/neutered when they are old enough before you have inbred puppies past your ears.