How to Make a Whelping Box for a Great Dane

Great Danes are very large dogs, therefore whelping boxes need to be large as well. You should build the whelping box at least two weeks prior to her delivery date to get her accustomed to it. Without this, she may begin making nesting sites around the home in corners, closets or undesirable locations. Whelping boxes allow a safe, comfortable nesting site for your bitch to raise her puppies.

Things You'll Need

  • Reciprocating saw or other saw
  • Plywood sheet, 4' x 8'
  • 4 wood strips, 2" x 2"
  • Piece of plywood, 4' x 4'
  • Screwdriver or drill
  • Screws
  • Newspaper
  • Sheets
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a quiet location with low traffic. Spare rooms or dens offer excellent choices.

    • 2

      Cut the sheet of plywood into four pieces measuring 2 feet by 4 feet.

    • 3

      Cut a shallow well design (U-shape) in one piece of plywood along a 4-foot side. This will serve as the door for your Dane. Leave at least 6 inches at the bottom of the "U" to keep the puppies from getting out.

    • 4

      Screw one strip of wood along each 4-foot side of two sheets of plywood. Use two screws on each side: one at the bottom and one at the top. Screw a second piece of plywood to one strip, creating a 90-degree angle between two sheets of plywood. Screw the third sheet of plywood to the other strip, again creating a 90-degree angle. Place the last piece of plywood against the three-walled box to complete the box. Screw the last piece of plywood into the strips.

    • 5

      Tip the box on a side to expose the open bottom. Attach the 4-foot by 4-foot piece of plywood to the bottom of the box with screws. Screw into each of the four strips. Tip the box back over, ensuring the "door" is accessible to the Dane.

    • 6

      Line the bottom of the box with newspapers and other thin materials, such as bed sheets, that are easily discarded or laundered.