Breeding Dogs : Whelping 101

If your dog is expecting a litter, you should immediately begin preparing the mother to be an area in which to give birth. Commonly known as a whelping box, this area is a quiet, warm, cozy, confined place where your dog can feel safe and bring her pups into the world.

The natural birthing process is known as whelping, and most dogs are completely capable of completing this process on their own without need of outside attention. However, there should be an adult on hand if the dog is nearing the whelping—or birthing—process just in case any problems should arise with either the mother dog or the puppies in the litter.

Once you determine your dog is expecting a litter of puppies, immediately take your dog to her veterinarian's office. Your dog's veterinarian will be able to better inform you on exactly what to expect for the duration of the gestation period and the whelping process. Additionally, your dog’s veterinarian will be able to carefully monitor her health progression, as well as the health of the puppies she is carrying.

As the whelping process is nearing, you should speak with your dog’s veterinarian to determine exactly what should be present in the whelping box and what tasks you need to learn in order to assist your dog into bringing her puppies into the world.

To build your whelping box, use a sturdy container that can fit the entire body of your dog and allow her plenty room in which to room around. This box should have low sides, but lack a top so that you can keep aware of the situation of the labor’s progression and easily reach the dog or the puppies in event of medical complication. Line your whelping box with comforting blankets and cushions so that she will be completely comfortable while giving labor to her puppies. These blankets and cushions will also work as ways to warm the puppies once they have been born.

Also, your dog may need to spend a great deal of time in the whelping box in order to best prepare herself for the actual labor process. For this reason, keep the whelping box in a quiet area away from the major traffic in your home. A closet, bathroom, or quiet corner works well as a whelping area so that your dog will not be distracted by everyday life while giving birth to her puppies.

In addition to the blanket in the whelping box to keep the puppies warm after they are born, you should invest in a heat lamp that is set up directly over the whelping box. This heat lamp may not need to be turned on while the mother is in the process of giving birth, since it may cause the dog to overheat and becoming overexertion.

However, once the puppies are born, you should immediately turn on the heat lamp to prevent the tiny pups from taking a chill and potentially becoming ill due to lack of fur. If you have no means to get a heat lamp, place the whelping box near a heat vent to ensure your pups will be properly warm.

Your dog will begin to exhibit signs of nearing whelping approximately 24 hours before the actual birth of the litter. Your dog’s veterinarian will be able to tell you of a general due date for the birth of the litter, but a great way to tell if a dog is preparing to go into labor is by taking her temperature. Within one day of the birth of the litter, your dog’s temperature will dip below 100 degree Fahrenheit, which will denote the whelping process is about to commence.