Golden Tails:
They should still be brest feeding. At least untill they are 6-7 weeks old. Then they can be weaned and adopted out. As long as they are brest feeding they will not become dehydrated.
This is very innacurate information! Pups should NOT be still nursing as the main source of nutrition @ 7 weeks, nor will they become dehydrated if not allowed to nurse this long! The OP is correct in that 3-4 weeks is ideal age to begin the weaning process. This must be done around that age for several reasons. First, the teeth are beginning to erupt, and it's painful for the dam to have the pups nursing at this point. Many will still let their pups "snack", but others begin to snap at pups once the teeth are in. Also, the nutritional requirements are doubling now, and to expect the dam to fulfill all her pup's dietary needs is a bit much. Also, one cannot simply just wean the pups when they are ready to be sold - it's a process that takes time and gradually the pups will be nursing less and less by the time they are 8 weeks. We also want the pups weaned well before it's time to be sold as the immunity from the dam will interfere with their first vaccination.
To the OP ... I usually fill up a pie pan with water for the pups, and immediately after they've eaten their puppy gruel, will take them over to the pan & gently dip their noses in. Some pups get it immediately, and inhale their water, others want to run away screaming from it, or take a nosedive in the pan, lol. If they're nursing from the dam after they eat their meal, then they are just not thirsty, and I don't force the water issue on them. By 5 weeks, if they are not all drinking, I make sure they go at least 2 meals without seeing the dam ... that tends to get them nice and thirsty! I think part of the problem might be the shallow bowl, however. Puppies seem to find the deeper pans more interesting and it does tend to induce water drinking sooner.