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Female eating a pup every day or two

What's wrong and how to stop it?

Could be several causes, but a couple could be environmental causes. If she’s around other dogs, lots of traffic or feels she can’t protect the litter then she might kill a few but it’s not common. Also unhealthy pups could be another cause. One things for sure, I’d probably never breed the bitch again. Best way to stop it is to take the pups from her, and only bring them together to feed. Always supervised, if she won’t even let them feed then you might have to bottle raise the whole litter

I raised a litter back in November. First time mom and she whelped 11.
But every time they would whine or move around she tried to lay on the whole pile to “protect” them I reckon.

She had a nice big box with a rail around the edge, carpet and a little heat in a building away from the rest of my dogs.

She did a good job cleaning them up and all were very active and moving around. Looked to all be just fine.

Few hours after she had her 11th pup I went out to check and she only had 10 left.

Went good for the rest of the day and then went out to feed the next morning and she was down to 9 on the second day. I caught her with a half eaten pup.

I took it from her and buried it.
All went ok after that.

And then right at 3 1/2 weeks I believe she stepped on another and it was having a hard time moving around. But was still living. Just not eating as good as before. Was going to have it put down and then the next day it disappeared.

After the 8 made it to 4 weeks it seemed to get better.

May not be the same case scenario but it was the first female I ever had eat pups like that. Very frustrating.

I had another female with pups at the time and I picked out one and stuck him on the other female as I was afraid she was going to kill all of her pups.

quote:

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Originally posted by BlueDogTid
Could be several causes, but a couple could be environmental causes. If she’s around other dogs, lots of traffic or feels she can’t protect the litter then she might kill a few but it’s not common. Also unhealthy pups could be another cause. One things for sure, I’d probably never breed the bitch again. Best way to stop it is to take the pups from her, and only bring them together to feed. Always supervised, if she won’t even let them feed then you might have to bottle raise the whole litter

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Training dogs is not so much about quantity, it's more about timing, and the right situations...After that it's up to the dog....A hunting dog is born...

Reuben

I agree 100% the best thing is a nice quiet environment, remove as much stress from the situation as possible. Environmental issues are by far the easiest to fix. My choice to not breed a female like this has more to do with the potential genetic mental & phycological issues that may be passed down. Unless you can know without a doubt what the cause was it is better to remove the bitch from your breeding program, in my personal opinion. There are mental and socialization issues that can cause pup killing & eating as well &!itbis our job to breed to improve the breed. This is my thought process on the matter.

BlueDogTid,

I agree with what you said as well on breeding for improvement…

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Training dogs is not so much about quantity, it's more about timing, and the right situations...After that it's up to the dog....A hunting dog is born...

Thanks for all the information!!!!!

I won't chance it again

I agree on one being too nervous. However, I had one that ate every puppy in a helping box, away from other dogs. She acted normal with, what seemed like a normal, calm manner. I sold her with them knowing why and they decided they wanted her anyway. That was over $3000.00 plus dollars she cost me!