weaning Maltese pups

We have sold our puppies and they will be 6 weeks tomorrow. Is it ok to let the new owner take them now as we are leaving town in a few days. Also what should we tell them to do for there new puppie as far as loneliness and what is the best food. Also should you leave their food down all the time? I feel like this hinders house breaking.
June Purnell

• June.....
  NO! NO! NO! DO not let those puppies go when they are only 6 weeks of age!!! Only when they are 8 weeks. 7 weeks they go thru a fear stage and weaning them early just for your convience is not right. They also learn alot about pack behavior in those two weeks and mom lets them know the rules. Emotionally a dog should not leave his mother less than 8 weeks. Leaving their food down all the time will only make the dogs fat and unhousebroken. Having the dogs in the bedroom so they can see their new master helps. Putting a clock in the crate so it sounds like a heartbeat helps. Using a hot water bottle keeps them warm and thinks they are sleeping with their littermates. I am sorry but all of this information should of been know seeing as you are the breeder! I would seriously consider NOT breeding your dog(s) if you do not even know these simple answers. WE all want well adjusted dogs in our life both emotionally and physically. If you can not guarantee this get out of the business and leave it to the people that really know dogs!
  PUG

• I know it may have sounded a little harsh what PUG said, but she (or he) is right. You really should know more about puppies before breeding. They depend on you and their mother at this stage in life, so please be very careful! You don't want to make a mistake that will haunt them or their new owners for the rest of the dogs life. Please take every effort you can to learn as much as you can for the rest of the time that you have these pups. Please see a vet regularly also, if you haven't already done so. Please be careful!

• I appreciate your concern for the puppies. I am concerned also. We are just getting back into breeding and years ago when we had Yorkies the vet where we lived said it was ok to wean them from their mothers at 6 weeks. Also the vet here in Iowa said the same. I just wanted to know how you felt. NowI I no. Thank you.
  June Purnell

• Dear June......
  Yes I probably was kind of harsh yesterday but I meant well. I would recommend getting a book on dog behavior to know the stages that a growing pup goes through physically and mentally. I can not understand why a vet would say 6 weeks. Could he perhaps be talking about nursing only?? He could of been. Are you feeding the dogs semi-solid foods now??

  When the new pup arrives to his new home the owner should have everything BEFORE the puppy arrives. He should get a record of his shots, be given the same food he has been eating for awhile, and have contacted a vet. This little guy will excited and scared about his new surroundings. Like I said before a hot water bottle, ticking clock, and being put in the same room at night with the new owner will help alot. I usually just put the new pup in my bed after the first couple of days. SO many people put the puppy in the laundry room or kitchen and get stuck with hearing it cry all night long. Have to remember that he was use to having many friends around to play with and sleep by. Just knowing that their new "mom" is near by (he can smell her) will be very comforting to him. Puppy proofing the house will also help a great deal. They will get into everything!! Hide those poisonous plants, tuck those wires away so he can not chew them etc.

  The new owner will have to decide if he is going to paper train the dog or take him outdoors. I do not recommend paper training and then going outside. You will confuse him and have all kinds of trouble! He will need to be vet checked and taken in for his remaining shots. I would limit his access outdoors until he's done with all his shots. Enrolling him in puppy class will help him socialize with other dogs, people, and get to meet a new exciting enviroment. You will also bond better with your dog because he will have to obey and listen to your commands. No unrulingness allowed!! Good Luck!
  Pug