Very young puppies sleep a lot. They sleep most of the time. They become awake only when it is time for them to milk. You will know when they are hungry or ill. They start to become uneasy and will cry. If the puppy feels really sick the cry won't stop for long hours. So when they are quiet and sleeping that means they are fine. If the mother dog can not take care of her puppies, the owner will help the mother dog take care the puppies! These puppies survived without their mother!