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Hazel wolf · Jun 18, 2012, 07:57 PM

Before I knew about the 8-10 week keep the puppy with the mom thing. I got a 5 week old pit. I can't take her back, we're far from the breeder. We're taking her to the vet tomorrow. Is it bad that I have her now? Please don't leave hateful comments. I had no clue.

ballengerb1 · Jun 18, 2012, 08:07 PM

If you bought from a professional breeder he was one of the lowest class breeders I have ever heard of. The pup needs mom and litter mates for at least 8 weeks. Take the pup to the vet and make sure it is getting enough of the right food and is healthy.

Lucky098 · Jun 18, 2012, 09:17 PM

You can still raise a healthy, happy dog even though she was purchased at 5wks of age. You as the owner is going to have to do a lot of work. It'll be your job to to make sure that the puppy is gradually introduced to NICE adult dogs. Expose her to tons of new and different and weird things. Touch her everywhere.. grab her skin, hold her face, pull and tug on her tail and ears, open her mouth, lay her in your arms on her back, pinch her feet... At 5 weeks, this is the perfect opportunity for you to desensitize her to everything. Not only is it going to force you to spend a lot of time with her, it'll also strengthn the bond and make it very tight.

At 5wks, this is a very tender time for her. She needs someone around 24/7. She needs someone to hold her close and give her security. Right now, in her litter, they would all still be piled on top of each other. You're going to have to replace this by holding her. I can't stress enough on how much you are going ot have to hold her. Unless she wants down to go potty or to play, you should be holding her.

Get her on a balanced diet. I'm a fan of Pro Plan puppy. It produces nice, fat pups.. and they seem to really like it. Some people will tell you to soften the food... from watching mother dogs naturally wean their pups, when the pups turn 4 weeks, they are eating solid food. So, in my opinion, there is no reason to mush the food. She should be weaned right now, so I don't think you need to purchase puppy milk replacer. She is old enough, with or without her mother, to be eating solid food.

Stay away from crazy supplements and vitamins. Unless veterinarian directed, you don't need them.

As far as the medical health of the dog, follow the directions of your vet. Follow their vaccination/spay protocol. Really can't go wrong there.

Good luck to you with your puppy. Raising a 5wk old pup is a bit challanging, but never impossible. You just need to really be attentive to her every needs.

Lucky098 · Jun 18, 2012, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

If you bought from a professional breeder he was one of the lowest class breeders I have ever heard of. The pup needs mom and litter mates for at least 8 weeks. Take the pup to the vet and make sure it is getting enough of the right food and is healthy.

Just because someone purchases a puppy from someone with a female dog, doesn't mean they are a breeder. I'm getting really sick of everyone shoving down the "If a good breeder did this..." in people's faces who are asking for help... The OP obviously realizes she purchased the dog at a young age, now they are asking for help... not criticism.

ballengerb1 · Jun 19, 2012, 07:56 AM

Lucky, my comment was not intended to be a criticism of the OP at all. I clearly directed my comment on the type/quality of the person who sold the dog. My helping comment, like yours, was to see a vet to insure the dogs health and diet. The OP said this was a breeder so I am not making any assumptions that it is just someone with a female dog. When you say "everyone shoving down " I sense someone else has previously upset you and I am now in your cross hairs, not my intention ever.