What Is a Whelping Box?

Identification

• The four walls of a whelping box, high enough that the puppies cannot roll out of it, feature an opening in the front low enough for the mother dog to step out of comfortably. Rails placed around the bottom of the inside walls keep the mother dog from smashing her puppies between herself and the walls of the box.

Size

• The size of the whelping box depends on the size of the dog. She should be able to lie down comfortably, fully extended, and be able to keep her puppies in front of her. You do not want the space to be too large, though, as the puppies could become scattered around the box, which may cause disorientation and a feeling of insecurity. In the beginning, they need to stay close to their mother and to each other for comfort.

Benefits

• A whelping box makes preparing for birth less stressful for your dog, because you can teach her that she has a special place to go and have her puppies, instead of wandering around trying to find a private spot on her own. This essential tool can also help to keep the birthing mess contained, making it easier to clean up. Puppy messes are also kept in one place.

More Benefits

• With the use of a whelping box, the mother dog can come and go as she pleases after birthing, and the puppies will be kept confined to the safety of the box. The box also keeps them better protected from drafts.
  Most modern whelping boxes are reusable and can be disassembled for cleaning.

Considerations

• You will want to give the mother dog a couple of weeks to get used to the idea of the whelping box being her space before she gives birth.
  You can make your own whelping box by designing it yourself or using plans available online (see Resources).
  Companies specialize in manufacturing whelping boxes, but they are not inexpensive. Since the boxes can be reused, this may make the cost worth it if you plan on breeding often.