Our top 10 tips on how to best prepare your puppies to be separated from their mother

You are fast approaching the time when your babies are going to fly the nest. Preparing them to be separated from their mother and their siblings is a crucial element to the socialisation protocols you can utilise when raising a litter. 

The stress caused from a poorly planned and prepared separation can affect a puppy for life, not only can the stress affect the puppy’s immune system at this vulnerable time, but it can also have lasting effects on the puppies long term behaviour. As a breeder how do you mitigate against this? 

Here are the ten steps you can follow to set them up to win!

Weaning

Count backwards from the day the puppy is going to leave and make sure that you have slowly and incrementally weaned the puppy from its mother. The puppy should be confidently eating solid food and drinking water, and not relying on its mother’s milk at the time of leaving.

Top tip: Think of this as a weighing scale, as the opportunities for mum’s milk diminishes, the opportunity for solid food increases. That way you can gradually wean, which not only benefits the puppy, but can also prevent the mother from developing mastitis, a painful and dangerous condition in the teats when they become engorged with milk. 

Alone time

Make sure your puppy has spent some time away from the litter, engaging with humans independently and happily. The day they leave should not be the first time they have experienced being away from their litter mates.

Top tip: This can be done by spending a few minutes each day handling and interacting with each puppy. You will be surprised how quickly their confidence will grow! Introducing your puppies to new and novel items and experiences as an individual will also prepare them to cope with the new home and family they will be meeting shortly. 

Crate training

Even if your new owners are crate adverse, travelling their dog in crates is the norm. Dogs and puppies will be exposed to crates at groomers and veterinary surgeries too, so normalising this equipment for the puppy will make all these situations more manageable for the puppy.

Top tip: never force a puppy into a crate and shut the door. Introduce the puppy to the crate and allow them to explore. Place some tasty treats inside the crate and when the puppy ventures inside they are immediately rewarded. Over time you can increase the value of the reward inside and build up to a chew treat that takes the puppy time to eat. This way the puppy gets used to being in the crate for a period without it being a stressful or “forced” experience. Crates should equal treats for the best long-term results. 

Familiarity

If your puppy is familiar with their new owners, the transition to their new home will be much smoother. The way they look, smell and sound will all be sensory experiences that your puppy needs to know, familiarity is key here.

Top tip: Get the new owners to leave or send a scented item of clothing that the puppy can sleep with (make sure that it is puppy safe, no buttons or strings) and become familiar with the new owners’ scent. Given that dogs see the world through their noses and not their eyes this is a crucial tool you can use to set them up for success. 

Car travel

Ensure your puppies are familiar with being in the car. Start them off on the right paw with a few short and regular journeys.

Top tip: Make sure the puppy is happy to be in the crate before starting car training. Start with the WHOLE litter, not as an individual. The first time, just pop them in the crate in the car. Leave the car doors/boot open and just leave the engine running for a few moments and then get them back out again. On the next session move the car back and forth, then a drive around the block, then a longer drive. Once they are happy with this as a litter, then start with them individually. With each step building on the last. 

Expectation setting

Be realistic about what your new owners should expect around new puppy ownership, and how they should be preparing for their new arrival is vital in getting your puppy smoothly settled and bonded with the new owners. 

Top tip: Make sure you are super clear with them on the level of care required. Do not be afraid to remind them that they are taking on a baby of another species! They need to be prepared mentally and physically for the responsibility they are taking on. 

Profiling

Spend time watching your puppies as they grow and develop. As they explore their expanding world you will see how each of them navigate it. Some will be bold, others more hesitant. Some will be very social, some more independent. Each puppy is an individual, and as such are better suited to specific homes. Matching your puppies with the right home, rather than allowing that choice to be based on colour or gender is the best way to ensure your puppies are placed in long term, secure homes. 

Top tip: Explain to your owners from the start that you intend to match them with the best fit puppy. Setting that level of expectation from the start. You will find they respect you as a breeder for taking the homing process so seriously. 

Puppy Paperwork

Prepare full and complete puppy packs. Details on the puppy’s registration (if a pure breed), insurance, payment details and microchipping are crucial. Along with veterinary details on vaccine, worming, flea treatments and vet checks to date. A puppy contract should be signed by both parties and included in the pack. Details on the puppy’s parents including, but not exclusive to health test information should also be available. Your owners will also need advice on what to buy in terms of toys and equipment. Give your owners clear guidance on routines and early days training support. 72% of puppies in rescue never attended a training class with their owners. They missed out on crucial bonding which has a knock-on effect to the depth of the relationship between puppy and owner. 

Top tip: Spend some time preparing written information for your owners prior to them taking their puppy’s home. Give it to them prior to the homing date. This allows them to prepare in terms of both mindset and in practicalities.

Food

Changing a puppy’s diet can have serious effects on the puppy’s health. Provide your new owners with at least 2 weeks supply of the food they have been weaned onto. Ensure they are clear on how much, when, and how to feed the puppy. Write this information down for them and add it to your puppy packs. 

Top tip: Most food manufacturers will offer a breeder scheme, get in touch with your chosen company and ask them if they can supply some puppy packs for your new owners, I am sure they will oblige! 

Collection Time

Encourage your puppy owners to come and collect their puppy as early as possible on the day of collection. This gives them time to travel home, and get the puppy as settled as possible across day 1, before the puppy spends its first night away from the litter. 

Top tip: Stagger your collections, across a couple of days, limiting them to mornings where possible. You will gradually reduce the number of puppies left at home, which will prepare them for the changes that are coming, and at the same time, the pups who are leaving have all day in their homes to settle!