More whelping questions...

[Crimson Ghost]

Hi again everyone. Lucy will be 63 days on the 24th and I now have the whelping box put together and the heating all sorted out.



I put the box in a low traffic area near where she sleeps, but she only goes into it if I am there calling her in to pet her. Will she migrate to the box naturally? I will be taking her Temp next week – when I know its going to happen should I put her in the box? Or do I let her have the pup’s elsewhere and move them all to the box ?

[barnjess]

No dont let her have her pups else were, she will get confused and it can be very hard on your house, when the time is near put her in the box, when in labour they tend to rip at the bedding/newspaper whatever you are useing, i give a wad of paper for this purpose

[Blaze]

My girl went through stages with the whelping box, one day she'd love it the next she wouldn't but once they've had the pups they are usually just grateful to have a safe area to keep them and of course the whelping box is perfect for that. I'm sure that she'll get used to it. Just slowly encourage her to spend more time in there (maybe a special blanket or toy will help coax her in?)
I think it's an individual choice whether you want her to give birth in the whelping box or not. Wherever she (and you) feels most comfortable is ok as long as it is safe etc of course but the whelping box is best (although some dogs such as mine refuse to stay in there getting stressed etc so the first option is better for them). My girl gave birth on a mattress next to the whelping box the first time and on the bed the next! But definitely move them into the whelping box after they've been born and had their first feeds etc. Once her temp has dropped (if that method works for you) she'll probably still have a quite a while before she starts to deliver them so I personally wouldn't put her in the whelping box that early unless she willingly wants to rest in there. Good luck!

[Crimson Ghost]

Thank you. Sounds like I will have some options. I built the box with 2 foot walls – so I might prefer if she had the pups next to the box (would be easier on my back). I have picked up some plastic and plan to layer it with newspaper and towels so I can just peel up a layer and toss it…..this too would be incredibly easier if she is not in the box.

I have a door on the box, of course even without the door the pup’s wouldn’t be able to get out. Do I ever lock mom in the box with the young ?

[rottiegirl]

No! She will not go naturally! a few days before my dog gave birth she went under our porch, dug a six foot deep hole and settled herself in there! We had to make her come into her nice padded/heated whelping box... lol

Feed her in there encourage her to sleep in there now, sit with her in there, anything to make her more comfortable!

[sheplovr]

I would not use loose towels during birthing as pups can get into a crease and sufficate. I use shredded paper and remove what gets soiled, under that I place linoleum so it is easy to clean and keep germs wiped off, etc.

I got a shredded as it makes the papers cut small so I can see the pups as mine start moving around pretty fast. Keeping track she does not plop down on one or so, I can try and put them in a box, but most of mine do not like that. Even if I place them in front of her face, they take them back out.
When she starts to dig, just place her in the box, in the painful stage they usually do not move out of the box once in they seem to understand that is where to be. Good luck, I have one due very soon day by day.

[sarar]

my dog did not have her pup in her welping box we moved her and she triend to move back

[OnyxsMom]

I put up my box 3 weeks before, and my dog wouldnt go in without coaxing.... until I started feeding her in it. She got the idea, and started sleeping in it as well.

[Moo]

Very old thread. Please check dates on posts before replying, and start new threads for new issues.