I was just wondering if this is something you breeders have come across both my bitches after having puppies seem to be very rough with them when they get older about 6/8 weeks onwards when they are playing, they seem to roll them over and try to flatten them to the floor and bite/nibble their throats  the puppies don't seem to mind to much but I have visions of broken bones  

Now one bitch that does not surprise me as she as always been rough when playing, but the other one as always been gentle in play but not with her puppies when they get older she did the same thing 

What is your experience

I expect it is to teach them manners and respect for her, and their place.

I have seen them be really rough with the forward more bolshy pups yet be incredibly gentle and encouraging with ones more sensitive to encourage them to toughen up and join in.

Dogs games are naturally quite rough.

Ditto, I've also never seen a bitch actually hurt her pups. I've seen my bitch actually grab her pups by the scruff as they go flying past her, flip them over and pin them down to just give them a very wriggly **leave me alone!.......... oh actually that feels ok **  wash.   She's like me very house proud.

My girl (the Mum) is the one who goes over the top her pup (12 weeks) just grovels around her licking her face and if the pup runs off she goes after her and knocks the pup off her feet and holds her to the floor and then lets her go and then the same thing happens.

She as always been over the top with play, but my other girl very gentle laid back she did the same thing with her puppies a few years ago.

I do let them play but supervised with me watching, afew minutes and I end it for my own peace of mind as they then BOTH get over excited, I know she will never hurt her baby deliberately she adores her.

Its not a problem I was just curious to see if other bitches do the same or if my girls are just mad LOL

I have seen this behaviour with all of my bitches and it is quite normal, and a good learning excersise, when the pups become a bit out of control the mum will put the pup on its back and hold them by the throat untill they calm down then she will let them go. I find this very helpful to me as i have 6 dogs and they all get on great with the pups as mum is teaching them to be submisive to the bigger ones. I dont worry about her injuring the pups (was a bit worried on my first litter) but Im on my 4th now and see this each and very time (its part of being a good mum).

..............and one of the reasons why pups should not leave the nest too soon, we are just not equipped to discipline a puppy and the job is best left to Mum. No matter how keen we are to take our new pride and joy home do not try to persuade the breeder to let it go a week or two early, it is just not worth it for the pup or you.

Despite what all the books/Welfare organisations say about pups best being in new homes by a certain age I have always found the pups who stayed longer with their canine family have been the easiest in their new homes.

I think the books, Welfare organisations assume a bad breeder who doesn't socialise/train appropriately and experienced knowledgeable owners when they say a pup is best with it's new owners by 7 weeks.

Certainly in our breed in the USA most breeders want to keep the pups until 12 - 14 weeks to have longer to evaluate them, and it's tough if the owners want them sooner, though of course many will have to travel inter state.