How to Raise New Born Puppies and How to Build a Whelping Box

A pregnant dog is a big responsibility. Labor can be a long and tiresome process, and newborn puppies need a lot of care and attention if they are to thrive. It can be very expensive to get this wrong, as the fee for calling in a veterinarian can be very expensive. The best way to ensure your puppies are born happy and healthy is to be well prepared and know exactly what you need to do.

Things You'll Need

  • Wooden box
  • Wood saw
  • Heat lamps or heat pads
  • Old towels and pillows
  • Disinfectant
  • Thermometer
  • Scales
  • Milk supplements
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Instructions

  1. Set Up A Whelping Box

    • 1

      Purchase a wooden box that is about twice the size of your dog, when lying down. This will give her plenty of room to maneuver, and give the puppies space to lie. The box ideally needs high sides, to stop the puppies from being able to climb out.

    • 2

      Cut a semi-circle shape out of the front of the wall, so that your dog can get in and out. How big this needs to be will depend on how big your dog is, but try to keep the wall as high as possible to prevent puppies from escaping.

    • 3

      Cover the box in a cleanable material. Plastic boxes, such as melamine, are already washable. Plywood is usually washable, although is prone to cracking, and germs can enter these cracks. You may find varnishing plywood with an animal-safe varnish prevents this.

    • 4

      Place the whelping box in a room that can easily be secured, and where your dog feels at home. You may find it more hygienic to place the whelping box on a hard floor, rather than a carpet. Make sure the room does not have any drafts, and is reasonably warm.

    • 5

      Set up some whelping heat lamps. These can usually be rented from vets, or bought in pet shops. You can also purchase whelping heat pads, which tend to be cheaper but need to be changed frequently. Use these in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

    • 6

      Provide your dog with a variety of old towels and pillows. She may want to pad her nest with these, or they can be used to clean up any spillages as they occur. Make sure the towels are disinfected before you use them.

    Looking after Newborns

    • 7

      Monitor the temperature of the puppies regularly. The room should be at 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or 21 to 26 degrees Celsius. This gently raises the puppies' temperature, and provides the perfect environment for them to thrive.

    • 8

      Clean the box as necessary. For the first few days, the puppies will use the bedding as their bathroom, so it's essential this is regularly changed. Always disinfect the towels before using them again, to prevent the transfer of germs.

    • 9

      Weigh the puppies once a day, and make a record of the weight. Ideally, you should see a steady and consistent weight gain.

    • 10

      Check that the puppies are feeding every two hours. If a puppy seems to be crying and wriggling, check that it can latch on. You may find moving the puppy a little helps it to latch on and drink milk. If your dog seems to be struggling with providing milk, you may need to use a milk supplement. Read how to prepare this carefully, and exactly how much to give. Pick each puppy up and provide the supplement before returning it to your dog's side.

    • 11

      Rub the puppies' stomachs after feeding if you think they may be constipated. This sensation causes the puppy to excrete, which you can then clean.

    • 12

      Contact your vet for advice if you feel that something is not going right. Your vet may be able to provide advice over the telephone or visit you at home or may request you take the puppy to them. Fast medical attention can usually cure most ailments.