Instructions
Encourage your newborn doxie puppies to nurse as soon as they are born. Some puppies need encouragement to nurse. Hold the puppy gently next to a nipple. The rest is instinctive.
Monitor the puppies for proper nursing, particularly during the first 24 hours. Some puppies push away smaller and weaker puppies struggling to find a nipple.
Check the temperature in the room. During the first few weeks of life, newborn doxie puppies cannot regulate their own body temperatures. After six or seven days, they have some control, but they can't fully regulate it until 4 weeks of age. The room temperature should be 86 to 91 degrees F.
Clean the whelping box. Line the box with fresh newspapers each day, to keep the environment clean.
Monitor the development of the puppies. Weight loss is common in the first 24 hours, but then the puppies should gain weight each day. If a puppy is not gaining weight, monitor that puppy to ensure it is nursing properly.
Check for signs of weakness. Pinch the skin on the back of the puppy's neck. If the skin bounces back immediately, the puppy is properly hydrated. If the skin stands up like a tent, the puppy is dehydrated. Incessant crying may be an indicator of weakness or an inability to nurse. Consult with a veterinarian about any signs of weakness you observe.
How to Take Care of Newborn Doxie Puppies
The first 24 hours of newborn doxie puppies' lives are crucial. During this time, puppies absorb protective antibodies from the mother's first milk, called colostrum.These antibodies help the puppies survive the first six to 10 weeks. The puppies rely entirely on their mother's milk for sustenance for at least three and a half weeks. The role of the owner in caring for the newborns is to ensure the puppies nurse properly. Owners also need to provide a clean and warm environment, and monitor the development of the newborn puppies.