What should I know about the delivery and raising of puppies?

Question

My dog is one and a half years old. She is an American Staffordshire Terrier. This will be her first litter. I have never had a pregnant dog before and am unsure of what to expect.

Answer 1

If everything goes normal, your dog will not need your help. It is an instinct with female dogs to know what to do and how to do it. She will pass some afterbirth along with the puppies. Each one will be in a membrane sac. She will eat the afterbirth, which is rich in nutrients that she will need to provide good milk for the newborn. She will bite the sack away from the pups and chew the umbilical cord as well. A good warm, soft place should be provided for her prior to the birthing. Let her get used to being there and when the time comes, she will go there to have the pups. A birthing box is ideal. This is a large wooden box with sides high enough so the puppies can't get out, but that the mother can get in and out of as she needs to. About 4 to 5 inches from the bottom of the box, run along all four sides, nail 2x4's. This will keep the mother dog from accidentally rolling over any puppies that might be near the sides of the box. It is best not to handle the puppies for the first 2-3 days, but should you have to, keep close to the mother so she can see what is happening. After the puppies are a few weeks old, take them to the Vet for preliminary shots.

Answer 2

I just got a bunch of info on this for a friend of mine that had a litter of puppies. Basically, they like to be alone when they are going to have them- they like it to be a quiet place. Keep other dogs away during the last 3 weeks of her pregnancy and the first 3 weeks of the pups lives. Keep an emergency vet # on hand just in case. Most cases, the mother will whelp and be fine. They will eat the sack off of the puppies and chew off the umbillical cords and they will get them to nurse all on their own. Its kind of a small miracle of life! Just be careful where you are allowing her to go, because she may have puppies in a location you don't necessarily want her to (like under a bed)- also, expect that you may wind up with a puppy or two that may be dead in a litter. There is a lot to know- but these are pretty basic. If you need to know more- google "whelping puppies"- tons of info!

-EA

Answer 3

You should of had answers to these types of questions before you made the decision to breed. Do the dog a favor and spay after the pups are weaned.

Answer 4

A lot. It's a pity you didn't do this research BEFORE you bred your bi tch.

Pick up a copy of Successful Dog Breeding by Walkowicz & Wilcox

http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DG128

They cover the subject pretty well in understandable language.

Answer 5

Much more than I can explain 2 you now,just go 2 the library & check out some books.

Answer 6

This is the best site I have seen, and there are photos to help> http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/whelping.html
However, you really need to get a library book on dog breeding, as all cannot be covered in a short article..

Answer 7

just make sure the mother is in a nice wram place and then when the puppys get 8 week start feeding hard food

Answer 8

Typically they know what to do through the whole birthing process but sometimes ...rarely they may need some help so here is a website i found just in case http://www.seefido.com/html/dog_gestation_labor_faq.htm

Answer 9

You should get lots of blankets because it will be cold and a lot of dog and puppy food because they like to eat also get them there shots.