Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,
Our golden retriever has just had a litter of 8 puppies. she was forced to have a c-section after she couldn't naturally give birth to her litter. But now we have them all home she is ignoring them and doesn't want anything to do with them. when we introduce her to the puppies she seems scared and she hates being in the whelping box with them. we have to force her to lie down and we have to place the puppies onto her. she will not lick them or touch them. does anyone have any advice on ways we can get her to bond with them? what are our options? we have her on a drug that knocks her out forcing her to lay with them. my mother is going stir crazy and is really worried. its day two and there is no improvement. PLEASE help. thanks.

>>Hi everyone,
>>Our golden retriever has just had a litter of 8 puppies. she was forced to have a c-section after she couldn't naturally give birth to her litter. But now we have them all home she is ignoring them and doesn't want anything to do with them. when we introduce her to the puppies she seems scared and she hates being in the whelping box with them. we have to force her to lie down and we have to place the puppies onto her. she will not lick them or touch them. does anyone have any advice on ways we can get her to bond with them? what are our options? we have her on a drug that knocks her out forcing her to lay with them. my mother is going stir crazy and is really worried. its day two and there is no improvement. PLEASE help. thanks.

>>>>>>>>>

There are imbalances that can happen after birth to cause problems like this. You need the veterinarian. If the veterinarian is not the one who prescribed that sedative, stop that. It could even prevent her from getting her normal maternal instincts, and of course could harm the pups, too.
You need a mentor breeder to be helping you with this.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

So sorry to hear this! I agree that unless your vet said the sedative is a must, don't give it. If all else fails you can always bottle-feed them, or if you know anyone with a mother dog with puppies you could try introducing them to her and see if she would nurse them. I once had a cat who adopted a neighbor's kitten when the mother rejected it. Hopefully mom will come around, though. Good luck with them.
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Kadee Sedtal
home of old lady Lucy (boxer/lab/garbage disposal), and the lovely new addition, Fancy the Wonder Beagle!