Preparing your dog for whelping
When whelping is approaching, it's important to be well prepared—whether you're an experienced breeder or a novice. Here are our tips on how to prepare properly.
Getting Ready
Before the puppies arrive, there are a number of practical preparations you should make. Consider the following:
The Whelping Room
Prepare the room where the mother dog will give birth well in advance, so she can get used to it and feel comfortable there. Choose a quiet room, free from drafts and with a suitable ambient temperature, where you can keep an eye on the mother and her puppies.
The Whelping Box
The whelping box should be at least as long as the mother dog, measured from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail. It should be large enough for her to change position and move around without risking crushing the puppies. For the first few weeks, the sides should be high enough to prevent the puppies from climbing out on their own, but low enough for the mother to exit without difficulty. Many people add a rail inside the box to prevent the mother from accidentally trapping a puppy when she lies down.
It is very important to keep the whelping box clean and dry. On damp surfaces, small puppies can quickly get cold, especially during the first few weeks. Newspaper works well as a base layer. It can be covered with a thicker blanket to absorb moisture.
Supplies for the Whelping
A thermometer: About a week before the birth, you should begin measuring the mother dog's body temperature. This helps you better predict the timing of labour. Normally, a dog’s temperature ranges between 38°C and 39°C (100.4°F to 102.2°F). In the 12 to 36 hours before labour begins, the temperature drops below 37.5°C (99.5°F), sometimes even to 36°C (96.8°F), before rising again. The first puppy often arrives a few hours to a day after this significant drop in temperature. If there is only one puppy, the temperature drop may be less noticeable.
Clean, dry towels and paper towels
A pair of blunt scissors, in case you need to cut the umbilical cord
A scale
Soap or hand sanitiser
A notepad and pen to record the time each puppy is born
The phone number of your vet
