Litter of 4-5 week old puppies, need suggestions please

[smkie]

I am so terribly sorry, for all the heart break. (((((HUGS and HUGS))))))))) for trying so hard on their behalf.

[incognito]

Thank you. It sure was a life lesson. I knew vaccines were important but now I have first hand knowledge why. I don't think I'd ever pull puppies from the shelter again, I'd pull them before they go to the back. Our shelter sends out pleas for puppy fosters when they come in so they don't have to go to the back and get exposed but the ones I got had been there for at least 2 weeks. I decided to foster an adult dog next, didn't want to put my kids through that again so soon. He's a great dane/hound mix. He may be a foster failure. I really like him and so does my husband. He just needs some manners. He doesn't know "no" or "settle" or "get back" or anything. He obviously came from a home because he is housetrained but it is odd he knows no commands. I'm heading over the the training forum to get some ideas and hopefully find some book or website recommendations for training.

[Freehold]

Puppies are really hard when they come from shelters like that. Unhealthy moms, unclean birthing and living environments, weaned too young, sadly the risk of serious infections like Parvo or distemper is high. Also once you've had them come home with that the virus can remain in your home for an extended time afterwards. The best solution would be to remove the moms from the shelter before giving birth then treat the whole litter in isolation until everyone is cleared as healthy.

Honestly when you described the mess I was wondering if they might be sick. It's not normal for puppies to be quite as messy as you described. Although I also suspected being removed from their mom too soon and unclean environment prior to weaning might have caused the bad habits too.

Sorry for your loss. Hopefully your Dane x settles in well and whether he stays or goes ends up a happy boy