We had one bitch years ago who was so pale that the nails of her pups were a huge problem. We used Vasaline to sooth her and protect her. It worked well enough. And I would force her to lie down for short feedings on the upper teets to relieve them some. Sheila Pinehillgsds@xxxxxxx wrote: In a message dated 3/15/2006 4:53:28 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Wasatchgld writes: I've never pulled a bitch completely away while she's still nursing. When I start weaning pups, I feed them while their mom is outside. I give her longer and longer breaks as the pups get used to eating the food. They're less hungry, so they don't nurse as long or as vigorously, and the bitch dries up more gradually. This is less stressful on Mom and babies, and I've never had a problem with a bitch having sore teats - whether I've had a large litter, or with my recent singleton pup. I believe the mother provides more for the babies than just food, and don't like to completely separate them until the mother is ready and the pups are less dependent (usually between 6-7 weeks). Janice That's how I do it too, but what has happened is that in 2 instances, right around the three week point the bitches nursed sitting down instead of laying down. The puppies stood up and nursed on the back breasts not being able the reach the front tow breasts, they then got overly full and sore. Ideally, I wouldn't like them separated now, but she has to be away for a few days until her milk dries up. She visits when they are eating their cereal and when I am changing their bedding wearing a men's white cotton t-shirt, but IMO she is just too sore IMO for them to jump up and hang off of her. Kathy three generations of Dual Titled Champions live here! visit _Pine Hill German Shepherd Dogs_ (http://www.geocities.com/pinehillgsds/) ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================ Sheila of Miami Mernydex GSD's Loving Obedience Dog Training --------------------------------- Yahoo! Mail Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze. ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================