How to Get Your Puppy to Stop Suckling

The healthiest adoption age for puppies is 8 weeks or older, making it essential for breeders to wean puppies from their mothers between the ages of 3 1/2 and 6 weeks. Providing puppies with appropriate food in addition to their mother̵7;s milk facilitates the weaning process. Once puppies recognize an alternative food option, they will gradually become accustomed to obtaining sustenance without suckling.

Things You'll Need

  • Puppy food
  • Milk replacement (optional)
  • Pan
  • Food processor
  • Food dish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Allow puppies to begin nursing within two to three hours after they are born. They will gain crucial antibodies from the mother within their first 16 hours of life. If they don't nurse as newborns, they are at risk of becoming severely ill.

    • 2

      Remove puppies from their position of suckling at the mother̵7;s teats once a day to allow her to recover from stress. She will also take this opportunity to lick the puppies clean and encourage them to urinate and pass feces before resuming nursing.

    • 3

      Cover the bottom of a pan with water or puppy milk replacement, available at most pet stores or from your veterinarian.

    • 4

      Place high-quality puppy food in the pan and allow it to soak until mushy. Blend the mixture using a food processor, and place it in a dish near the puppies̵7; habitat when they are 3 1/2 to 6 weeks old.

    • 5

      Spend three to four weeks weaning the puppies, allowing them to consume a combination of their mother̵7;s milk and the puppy food mixture before attempting to feed them only puppy food or separating them from their mother.