New puppies are an exciting proposition. Most of the time, the puppies will be born without incident and the new mom will instinctively know how to care for them. However, you can help make sure that both mother and babies are healthy and safe.
The first thing to do when you think your dog is pregnant is to get her checked out. Professional breeders will always make sure their prize quarry is in tip-top shape before introducing it to the puppy’s prospective parent, but pet owners are sometimes a bit surprised.
It may be too late to get your dog checked out before she’s pregnant, but it’s still a good idea to get her checked out by your vet. The vet should be able to tell you for sure if your dog is pregnant and she will give you an expected due date. He will also let you know if your dog needs additional vitamins or special foods to maintain optimal physical health.
When the due date approaches, it is time to look for a special place where the pups will be born. The delivery bed should be in a quiet place away from disturbing movements and away from the children’s play area. Since wild wolves give birth in burrows, your own dog may prefer an enclosed space under the stairs or in a closet, where he can feel safe and secure.
The mom-to-be should know about her special bed a week or two in advance, so she can feel comfortable in it before her time comes. Put her bedding, such as disposable newspaper, in a box that is large enough for the dog to lie down comfortably, plus room for her new litter. Depending on the breed, you can expect up to 12 puppies and the crate should be large enough to accommodate the entire family. Her vet can tell you roughly how many puppies to expect.
When the time comes, your dog will probably refuse the food and may try to make a nest somewhere. No matter how carefully you’ve prepared his special birthing box, he’s likely to choose another location. She may need you to remind her that you have chosen a place for her. A few hours before the puppies are born, she will become noticeably restless. Although she will appreciate your quiet company, you don’t need to coddle her. Giving birth is much easier for dogs than it is for people, and the process comes naturally to her.
When the first pups are ready to hatch, the new mom will lie down on her next and start pushing to expel the pups. It may take about an hour before the first pup arrives. If she’s in labor for longer than that, or if she stops trying and seems to be giving up, it’s time to call her vet for advice.
Unlike human babies, puppies can be safely born either head first or tail first. The first pup may appear for a few seconds and then disappear again, moving back and forth as the mother struggles to give birth. This is perfectly normal.
With certain breeds, cesarean deliveries are recommended, often because the characteristics of the breed make normal delivery difficult or dangerous for the mother. This is something your vet will discuss with you when he brings your pregnant dog in for her exam. There are also times when a delivery goes wrong for some reason and the new mom can’t do the job on her own. In these cases, an emergency cesarean section may be necessary.
However, in almost all cases, the puppies arrive just as nature intended, and the new litter is not long in nursing. The new mother will stay with her pups most of the time for the first few weeks, and she will appreciate having food and water brought to her nesting area so she doesn’t have to leave her pups behind. She will eat for 12 or 13, instead of just for herself, so she will be hungry; she must have food available for her to eat when she is ready. She will also need a lot of water, because she is making a lot of milk.
Children should be kept away from the nest until all the pups have arrived and the new mother has settled in with her young. Remind your children that both mom and babies should be as quiet as possible. There will be plenty of time to play with the puppies in a few weeks, after their eyes are open and they are ready for rambunctious play.
