how long befor my dogs due date should i get the welping area set up shes due dec 21st?

Question

no rude answers thanks i am in australia its not an offence for my dog to be having pups i ask questions about my dog on here for advice only to be told rude things that dont apply to me so yeah thanks

Answer 1

You would want to have the nest ready by the 55th day, so she can get used to its smell, and such..It will also keep her from being so restless and panicky about not having a bed..
I like to use a child's playpen, with fine mesh sides, that I find at yard sales..Other good bed is child's cheap swimming pool, the smallest one with molded plastic sides...the other good bed is the bottom of a 2 piece kennel crate..
You will need many old towels or blankets (depending on dog's size) so that you can change bedding more than daily..and likely to need 3 changes during whelping (again, depending on dog's size) to keep bedding dry for the newborns.
You also need to get puppy formula and bottles/nipples well ahead of time, as when you need them, it is not always when stores are open..
Here is a great site for whelping> http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/whelping.html

If you find you still need help, after checking out the website, just email me.. I promise not to be rude..lol

Answer 2

You should be doing it in the next little while, mom will be much more at ease. There is no rush yet but 2 weeks will go by pretty quick.
I do not like using a dog crate or a kiddy pool for whelping pups because of the lack of a "puppy rail". The chance of loosing pups because mom crushed them against the side are to great.
Build a whelping box with a rail either 2" or 4" above the floor (depending on size of dog) so that if mom lays down with a puppy behind her the puppy will fit under the rail instead of being crushed.
For a Beagle sized dog the box should be 3' x 3'. for a Lab sized dog the box should be 3' x 4'.
For a floor I just use a scrap of indoor / outdoor carpet

here is a pic (I used scrap shelving to build it)
http://www.hunt101.com/img/317247.jpg
You can see how the pup in the lower right fits under the rail.

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Answer 3

You should get something ready now, I am a breeder and my parents breed Golden Retrievers and have been for 16 years. We have our pups in our basement, that are heated. My dad builds a 6 foot x 6 foot wide by 1 foot high area out of wood what he usually does is uses one of the corner basement wall and secures it into the basement wall. He also makes a door that you can lower and raise for the female to enter but so the puppies can not get out when they are bigger. My basement is carpeted so then we put a piece of plastic plexi glass or something as big as the whelping box on the floor of it to cover the carpet and then cover with blankets. I got my females whelping box ready 2 weeks before her due date last litter and had her sleeping in at night. Good thing because she had her litter a week early, you should prepare for that. Every dog has a different gestation cycle. My female is due January 9th but I will have her sleeping in her box around December 25th, just to be on the safe side. Good luck with your puppies and if you have any questions feel free to contact me. I do have my email posted.

Answer 4

well the best thing to do is to start to get it ready now and try to have it all ready at least 1 week before she is due. i breed golden retrievers and i usually have all ready at least 1 week before she has her pups good luck with your puppies.

Answer 5

some say dogs are like humans and that they could come early.. but i would prepare a week before.. and it also depends on if your dog has had puppies b4 and how long it took her.

Answer 6

um i didnt think the question waqs rude at all

if it were me i would set up the weling center on december 15 just to be safe

Answer 7

I think you should do it now. Just like humans, they can go early or late.

Answer 8

i'd do it now, wouldn't hurt. congrats and your gonna love it

Answer 9

Get the whelping box done ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!