Feeding

• Puppies need to nurse about every 2 hours. Create a large area where the mother can nurse that contains a large pillow for comfort and some sort of border that prevents the puppies or mother from separating from the rest. Childproof gates and cardboard boxes work well. If a puppy is not getting enough food or if the mom refuses to nurse, you can bottle feed a puppy by piercing two to three holes into a baby bottle nipple with a sterilized needle. Place the pup on its stomach and tease its mouth with the nipple until it latches on.
  
  

Health care

• You should have your puppies vaccinated when they are 6 or 7 weeks old. These include the parvovirus vaccine, as well as preventative measures for roundworms, hookworms and heartworm. Unless the puppy is malnourished or failing to thrive, most won't see a veterinarian until they are 6 weeks old. In addition to vaccinations, a veterinarian will check for parasites, heart murmurs, hernias, mange, cryptorchidism and blindness.
  
  

Sleep

• Place your puppies in a cardboard box when it's time to go to sleep. The box should have a soft blanket and be large enough for all of them to move around, but not too big, so it feels cozy and intimate. Make sure the blanket or pillow you place in the crate is comfortable but washable, as puppies are prone to accidents, especially in the middle of the night. Make sure that the box or crate is sturdy, as puppies can become trapped in flimsy boxes, which can suffocate them. The crate or box should be stored in a warm, comfortable place.