working after welping pups

[Tomm156]

hi all,

was wondering how long after pups being born the bitch would be able to work picking up again. its a Labrador. I know it wont be an exact science but just a rough guide.

thanks

[Gundogs11]

I think it would depend on too many factors for anyone to comment, such as fitness level before pregnancy, age, number of pups, how/when weaned, size of her undercarriage, the ground you intend to work on and the type/amount of work you want her to do.
We generally put a bitch in pup at the end of the working season when she is at her fitest, bitch usually starts weaning at 3/4 weeks and won't let them suckle after 6 weeks. She has the rest of the summer to recoup and regain fitness for next season, skipping the grouse in August and starting work in September.

[Sgurr]

I'm assuming she had pups over the summer and they are all now away. I'd suggest that the best things you can do for your bitch now are to give her a well balanced diet and moderate exercise, especially swimming which will help to reduce the 'undercarriage', for about a month and then gradually increase her food and exercise until you feel she is in good shape again and ready to start work. My partner's bitch had pups in May, all homed in July and he has been bringing her up to fitness to start working end of this month/early October - she will probably begin working half a day and he will have a youngster in reserve to take over if she looks stressed.