How to Borrow a Whelping Box

When a female dog gives birth to her puppies, an event known as "whelping," she is most comfortable and her puppies are protected if the whelping takes place inside a whelping box. A whelping box has sides tall enough to contain her puppies, but short enough to allow the dog to come and go as she pleases. If you're expecting your first litter and you're not a professional breeder, you don't need to purchase a brand-new whelping box for a single use; instead, borrow a whelping box from a breeder.

Things You'll Need

  • Phone
  • Internet
  • Email
  • Bleach
  • Water
  • Bucket
  • Sponge
  • Newspaper or removable padding material
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Instructions

    • 1

      Call or email any breeder friends or acquaintances you have, and inquire if they are currently expecting a litter; if not, they may be willing to lend you a whelping box. Ask the breeder from whom you purchased your dog, if you used a breeder, or you can ask your vet for recommendations.

    • 2

      Join breeding message boards and log on a post asking to borrow a whelping box. Contact your local breeder's association and find out where you can post your request for the best results.

    • 3

      Pick up your whelping box from the breeder; only take the box if it's large enough for your mama dog and if it's constructed from a cleanable material, such as sealed plywood or melamine. Disinfect the whelping box using a mixture of one-part bleach and 32-parts water. Allow the solution to sit for 10 minutes before washing it away with clean water.

    • 4

      Rip up newspaper to create a soft bottom for your whelping box; don't pad with anything which will be difficult to remove because you'll be returning the box. Change or clean your padding once a day when the box is in use.

    • 5

      Remove all padding material and clean the whelping box again before you return it to the owner.