When your dog has puppies
There is a lot of work to do when preparing for your dog to have puppies. Depending on the breed of dog that you have, there may be special considerations to take into account before your dog gives birth. Certain breeds can be more prone to problems, and so it is important that you seek advice from a vet or someone who has considerable experience before your dog is due to deliver puppies.
The majority of dogs can deliver their puppies on their own, but as a dog owner, there are things that you can do to ensure that things run smoothly and make sure that your dog has the best care.
Make sure that she has a quiet place to go for her to deliver the puppies. The dog may pick the location herself close to the end of her pregnancy by nesting, and you should allow her to do this. Once the spot is decided upon, try to make this safe and secure for puppies and in particular, try to put up some barriers so that the puppies cannot wander off somewhere unsafe. When the dog is having her puppies, keep things quiet in your home and try not to fuss around the dog. You can observe but from a distance and do not allow the dog to be disturbed unless there appears to be problems.
Try to keep things calm in your home during this time even if children are excited. Rest assured there will be plenty of fun and chaos over the coming weeks when the puppies finally arrive!
