How long can a new mother dog safely be away from her newborn puppies?

It is normal for the female dog to have a break every now and then, as she will have to go to the bathroom, get some food, or simply want to move around. As long as she returns to the puppies and isn't gone a long time, there is nothing to worry about.

Yes, it is possible for you to go out for an hour or two to go to dinner and run some errands. I would check on them every couple of hours, but that doesn't mean you have to stop your life. I hope this helps!

Unless your dog has a history of hurting her pups or you noticed that she is trying to hurt them, there should be no reason that you cannot leave her alone with her puppies. She is a mother, and mothers usually take good care of their babies.

Monitoring throughout the 8 week period until the puppies are weaned is recommended, yes, although it may be difficult while you are sleeping. Having the mom and pups in your room and setting an alarm to check on them a few times a night is reasonable. If you are able to get someone to watch them that's great. Otherwise minimize the amount of time they are left alone as much as possible, and try to get a dog sitter if you will be gone more than an hour. Breeding dogs is a lot of work, and it is important to keep track of the mom and pups' progress by checking on them frequently. Here is some more information on birthing puppies https://www.vin.com/veterinarypartner/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951546

Taking them outside would not be recommended. At their age, their immune systems are not strong enough to resist potential infection. They should remain indoors for now. If they are able to wander away from mom, watch them to prevent mischief or injury. They will return when they are hungry. They will likely need to nurse every 6-8 hours.

Thank you for submitting your question. I wouldn't start taking her out until the pups are 2-3 weeks of age. Then I would base if off of if she is interested in going or not. Time the walk after she has nursed and cleaned the pups. Go slow as you will need to gradually build her endurance back up. Be sure to provide her with free choice high quality puppy food and all the water she wants. I hope this information helps!

I would not leave the puppy with her unattended. You will need to let the puppy suckle every two hours under supervision. If she eats her puppies, it may be a good idea not to breed her again, as "bad" mother instincts can be hereditary.