How do I make a whelping box?

Question

I have an 11 month old sharpe female and she is pregnant. I have looked on the internet for a whelping box, but there all so expensive ! I want to know how to make one.

Answer 1

I'm a breeder and the best thing to use is a child's plastic pool. (the hard sided kind). They come in a couple different sizes and are easy to clean. Don't waste your money on a whelping box, save it for the puppies, you're going to need it. I have also used a dog house that has a removeable top.

Answer 2

100s of litters, all rescued, and we never owned a whelping box. I hope you aren't planning on being a breeder.

Late in season but for a larger dog we have used a inexpensive small plastic kiddie pool. Basically you can use a large shallow basket, dog bed, etc. Box mainly to help keep pups from wandering off to far from mom, get cold. Large enough to have room to stretch out and nurse without squishing pups.

I love closets!! Clear a floor space big enough. A cheapie shower curtain liner will protect carpet. Start collecting old linens for the bed/need to change+wash often. Closets give them a quiet darker private area. They don't whelp out in the open. They want privacy and to feel they can guard the pups. She will too.

I like to have room for her food/water bowls so doesn't have to leave the nest except to potty. While out you can check pups over and put clean dry bedding. Not too thick-don't want a pup to suffocate! Because of the sharpei coat you must keep them on clean dry cloth so as not get skin problems, kinda like diaper rash in babies!

So look around for a good qiet spot and get her bedding together and take her there. She'll take the hint.
Good luck on your litter.

Answer 3

My favorite whelping box is a second-hand child's playpen..with fine mesh sides..I also like a child's wading pool, or a travel kennel with the top off, if it is large enough..but the playpen with the soft mesh sides protects the pups the best..I put a blanket over 1/2 the top to keep it warm and dark, as moms like that.
Here is a great site to help you to help her and the puppies> http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/whelping.html

Answer 4

Like Mary J said a kiddy pool works well,,,, your female is only 11 months and going to have a litter of puppies, man i hope you know that that is way to young to be haveing puppies cause she is still a pup her self i hope you have learned after this litter to get her fixed or at least skip every other heat and the next female that you get you should at least wait till she is 2 years old,, I hope your female is a good mom from being so young and dont abandon them,,, cause you will have your hands full if not cause that is alot of work to have to take care of new born puppies untill they can drink formula on their own,,,

Answer 5

The small kiddie pools are what I use, and they work fine. You'll need a lot of newspaper and towels.

Please get your girl to a vet for her check up. She is way to young for that breed to be having puppies.
Also, have puppy formula and puppy bottles on hand. Immature females that are puppies and then have a litter of their own often are not able to care for the puppies. You need to be prepared for that.

Answer 6

Um, you can't afford a whelping box but you're going to have puppies? BYB much?