Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

How to help your dog through labor and make sure everyone is doing well.

Steps

1. 1 Before giving birth, the dog will begin to look for a safe place (pregnancy lasts 63 days, if you count the dates). You can help her by providing such a place. Ideally, it should be away from the hustle and bustle, it should be warm and dry, like in a small den. The dog will stay there until the puppies are old (8 weeks should pass before the end of feeding). Drawers work well for this, sometimes under the table or in closets (depending on the size of the dog).
2. 2 Keep calm! If you are nervous, your dog will sense it and will start to worry too.
3. 3 Make sure all puppies are born. If the mother is calm and relaxed, cleans the area and feeds the puppies, then everything is fine. If she seems to be suffering, she is bleeding, call the vet!
4. 4 The dog should have clean water by his side (but not where the puppies can fall into it and drown. The same goes for the feed. At first, the mother will not want to move very far from the puppies or leave them for a long time.
5. 5 Keep your dog isolated, in his den, he will be able to care for the puppies without too much anxiety. She will protect them, do not let strangers (especially children) be alone with her, do not allow anyone to touch the puppies until it is clear that the dog does not mind. Usually this moment comes when their eyes open and they begin to slowly explore the territory.
6. 6 Remember to keep your dog clean and comfortable. Change the litter periodically, it will become contaminated with urine and puppy excrement.

Tips

• Your idea of ​​a safe place may not be the same as your dog's, so keep an eye on it from day 59 of pregnancy. She can choose a place for herself under the bed, in the closet under hanging clothes, and even on your bed. If it is a safe and clean place (it doesn't have to be sterile, but it shouldn't be dirty) and you can clean it up and look after the dog afterwards, then a puppet box is not necessary (although it is preferable).
• Usually, the owner and another familiar person should be present next to the dog at all times. So there will always be someone next to her. You wouldn't want to give birth alone. If the dog is frightened, it can kill the puppies, usually only the weakest ones or if there are too many litters to feed the remaining puppies. Even if you go to the bathroom, you can give your dog enough time to kill their puppies. If she has her first birth, then she may kill the first puppy simply because of her insecurity, and then her instincts will start to work. But it is easier to guarantee the health of all puppies during childbirth and examine them after birth. Do not leave your dog and puppies alone.
• Be careful, the dog can guard the puppies very closely, so keep your distance but make sure everything is going well.
• The nipples should enlarge, which indicates preparation for feeding the puppies. The first milk is called colostrum and is gray-white in color (this is normal). Colostrum is rich in antibodies to protect puppies from infections.
• In many cases, dog owners are active participants in the birthing process. Make sure everything goes well and provide assistance if needed. Help may include removing stuck puppies, clearing their airways, resuscitating the puppies, cleaning the placenta from the birth area (if the bitch is too busy with puppies or too many puppies), or warming the first puppies while the mother gives birth to the next.
• After 2-3 weeks, you should divide the area into feeding / play, sleeping and toilet areas. During this time, it is possible to work with the innate instincts of the dogs to maintain the natural desire to keep the den clean. This means that by 8 weeks old, when the puppies can be passed on to other owners, they will be almost completely, if not entirely, trained to go to the toilet for newspapers. "The Misty Method"
• Keep puppies in a closed area, especially when they start to walk. This way you will avoid accidents.

Warnings

• If you have questions or any concerns, please contact your veterinarian!
• Puppies usually need deworming and vaccinations. Contact your veterinarian on this matter.

What do you need

• Litter that can be washed or discarded when dirty. It will take a lot of bedding. Puppies will poop and pee, they are not born accustomed to cleanliness and are too small until 12 weeks of age.
• After childbirth:
• - Lots of towels (to wash one set and have another ready)
• - Scales
• - Lots of food for the bitch!
• - You can keep a bitch with puppies during childbirth and after in the baby pool. It is easy to wash it regularly.