How to Help Your Dog Give Birth: A Step-by-Step Guide

Helping your dog to give birth is a natural process that most female dogs manage instinctively. However, as a caring owner, understanding how to prepare and support your dog during labour can make a significant difference in ensuring a smooth delivery for both dam and puppies. This guide will walk you through key steps to help your dog during whelping, from preparation to post-birth care.

Preparation: Setting Up for a Safe Birth

Proper preparation is crucial to creating a calm and safe environment for your dog’s delivery. Begin by choosing a quiet, draft-free spot in your home where your dog feels comfortable. Set up a whelping box or a clean, plastic kiddie pool lined with soft bedding. Allow your dog to become familiar with this area well before the birth so she accepts it as her space.

As the due date approaches (typically about 63 days from breeding), monitor your dog's temperature daily. A drop below 37.7°C (100°F) usually signals that labour will begin within 24 hours. Maintain her on a high-quality puppy food diet to provide the extra nutrition she needs during pregnancy and nursing, avoiding calcium supplements unless directed by your vet.

Monitoring Labour: Understanding the Stages and When to Act

Labour occurs in stages. The first stage involves nesting behaviours and contractions lasting 6 to 12 hours. The second stage is the actual delivery of puppies, generally with one pup born every 30 minutes to an hour. The third stage involves the delivery of the placentas, usually occurring after each puppy is born.

Keep a careful log of times for each stage and birth, noting if your dog strains strongly for more than 30 minutes without progress or if there is a prolonged gap of over four hours between puppies. Such signs indicate potential problems and require immediate veterinary consultation.

Intervening: When and How to Assist During Birth

Most dogs can whelp without intervention, and unnecessary interference may cause stress or complications. Only intervene if there is clear difficulty, such as a stuck puppy or if the mother does not remove the amniotic sac.

If assistance is needed, gently break the sac for the newborn and wipe the puppy dry with a clean towel to stimulate breathing. Tie and cut the umbilical cord approximately half an inch from the pup’s abdomen, using sterilised thread and scissors to prevent infection. Never pull on the puppy; if unsure, contact your vet promptly.

Offering Emotional Support to Your Dog During Labour

If your dog is comfortable with your presence, offer calm reassurance through soothing tones and gentle praise. Respect her space if she prefers solitude to avoid causing anxiety. Provide fresh water and palatable, high-energy treats like soft food or vanilla ice cream between deliveries, but don’t force her to eat or drink.

Your dog’s focus during labour is on the delivery, so keep interactions minimal and supportive, always avoiding sudden movements or loud noises in the whelping area.

Post-Birth Care: Supporting Your Dog and Puppies

After delivery, your dog will need rest but also attention to her hydration and nutrition. Keep fresh water and soft food within easy reach. Minimise household disturbances to reduce stress. Observe that all puppies are nursing well and gaining weight, weighing them daily if possible without separating them from the mother unnecessarily.

Handle puppies only after the mother has had time to imprint and accept them, to avoid rejection. Contact your veterinarian if you notice any signs of illness or distress in either the dam or her litter.

Additional Tips and Resources

• Prepare an emergency kit with clean towels, sterilised scissors, and a thermometer.
• Know your veterinarian’s emergency contact number ahead of time.
• Avoid supplementing calcium unless advised by a professional to prevent complications.
• Keep other dogs away from your pregnant dog to reduce infection risks.

By following these comprehensive steps, you can create a nurturing environment that supports your dog’s natural whelping process while being ready to help if needed. Always prioritise your dog’s wellbeing and seek veterinary advice when in doubt.