Dogs are kind of addicting - dog owners can't seem to have enough of these wonderful furry creatures. It is therefore understandable if dog owners would want to breed the pet. Breeding the beloved pet would mean more pets to love and to share with family members. Watching a dog deliver the puppies is one of the wonders of nature that should not be missed.
Generally, domesticated dogs would whelp without the assistance of humans just like what their ancestors in the wild do. However, abnormal and difficult birthing can put the life not only of the dam but also the life of the unborn puppies in danger. It is the task of the owner to provide for all the necessities that will make the whelping dog as comfortable as possible. To be able to give urgent assistance, a dog owner has to be able to promptly recognize the signs that the pet is having difficulties in delivering the puppies. Needless to say, it would also be necessary for a dog owner to have the ability to provide the pet with first aid, should assistance be necessary.
The dog's pregnancy would last for eight to nine weeks. At the end of this period, the whelping box lined with old blankets should be ready. Other equipments that must be readied are scissors or dental floss to cut the puppies' umbilical cord and towels. One very important tool that will let the dog owner know that the pet is ready to give birth is a thermometer. Twelve to twenty four hours before the dog whelps, the normal body temperature of 101.5 F will drop 2 to 3 degrees.
The dog usually takes care of the birthing. After the puppy was delivered, the mother dog will take care of the cleaning and the cutting of the of the umbilical cord. Cleaning the newborn and cutting the umbilical cord will be the task of the dog owner if for some reasons, the dog would not want to attend to the newly born puppies. This usually happens to first time moms. Tearing the sac that encloses the puppy must be torn to prevent the pup from suffocating. The dog owner has to clean the puppies as well.
Help will be very necessary to prevent the dam from overexerting herself in trying to push a puppy that is stuck half in and half out. Firmly hold the protruding body or hind legs of the puppy and pull in a downward motion. A dead puppy that is creating a blockage in the birth canal must be removed. This is a life threatening condition that would need urgent professional attention but if none is available, the owner can lubricate the hand with K-Y jelly and try to remove the dead pup. This can be a hard line first aid method but it is very necessary to save both the lives of the unborn puppies and the mother dog.
Generally, domesticated dogs would whelp without the assistance of humans just like what their ancestors in the wild do. However, abnormal and difficult birthing can put the life not only of the dam but also the life of the unborn puppies in danger. It is the task of the owner to provide for all the necessities that will make the whelping dog as comfortable as possible. To be able to give urgent assistance, a dog owner has to be able to promptly recognize the signs that the pet is having difficulties in delivering the puppies. Needless to say, it would also be necessary for a dog owner to have the ability to provide the pet with first aid, should assistance be necessary.
The dog's pregnancy would last for eight to nine weeks. At the end of this period, the whelping box lined with old blankets should be ready. Other equipments that must be readied are scissors or dental floss to cut the puppies' umbilical cord and towels. One very important tool that will let the dog owner know that the pet is ready to give birth is a thermometer. Twelve to twenty four hours before the dog whelps, the normal body temperature of 101.5 F will drop 2 to 3 degrees.
The dog usually takes care of the birthing. After the puppy was delivered, the mother dog will take care of the cleaning and the cutting of the of the umbilical cord. Cleaning the newborn and cutting the umbilical cord will be the task of the dog owner if for some reasons, the dog would not want to attend to the newly born puppies. This usually happens to first time moms. Tearing the sac that encloses the puppy must be torn to prevent the pup from suffocating. The dog owner has to clean the puppies as well.
Help will be very necessary to prevent the dam from overexerting herself in trying to push a puppy that is stuck half in and half out. Firmly hold the protruding body or hind legs of the puppy and pull in a downward motion. A dead puppy that is creating a blockage in the birth canal must be removed. This is a life threatening condition that would need urgent professional attention but if none is available, the owner can lubricate the hand with K-Y jelly and try to remove the dead pup. This can be a hard line first aid method but it is very necessary to save both the lives of the unborn puppies and the mother dog.
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