Q&A for How to Help Your Dog Whelp or Deliver Puppies

That's not a good idea. Try to watch her for the first 48 hours after giving birth, but be careful to not "help" the dog too much. Do your best to just sit there next to her and relax, since your calmness can make the dog calmer. If you're a nervous wreck, she's going to be a nervous wreck.

Once all the puppies are safely delivered, the mother settles down to feeding and licking her new brood. She should seem alert (but tired) and be interested in food and water placed near her. However, some female dogs stop laboring even when they still have pups inside. This can be difficult to spot, especially if you don't know how many the dog was carrying. If she is restless, not hungry, feverish, panting heavily, or has a yellow-green discharge, then she must see the vet.

Each puppy is contained within their own birth sack, so the mother's 'waters breaking' only applies to one puppy at a time. Once the water breaks for that puppy, she should strain actively and the puppy should appear within 20 minutes.

Two days is too long to labor without producing puppies. It is likely that the mother dog has a problem, such weak womb contractions or a puppy is stuck in the birth canal. In addition, the longer she is in labor, the more tired she becomes, so after two days, she needs help. Call an emergency veterinarian without delay.

It is not possible to speed up the process, and interfering can distract the female and slow up or halt labor. If the labor is going on for too long, then she should see a vet, as a puppy may be stuck in the birth canal. She also may be suffering from weak contractions and need a cesarian section.

Dogs, like people, have a first stage labor where the body prepares to give birth. This includes weak uterine contractions which cause discomfort, panting, and general restlessness. In some dogs this can last for 24 hours before the dog feels the needs to push the puppies out, so six hours can be normal. If, however, she was actively pushing for more than an hour, this could indicate a problem and you should contact a vet immediately for advice.

No. Although it is distressing to see your dog in labor, it is a natural process, and it's normal for her to feel some discomfort. Remember that each puppy is relatively small compared to a human baby, so the pain of a dog in labor is less intense. The pain associated with labor is also not particularly responsive to normal pain killing medications, and they are unlikely to be of any assistance.

Absolutely, this is quite normal. Her due date is only a guide, and, for some, 68 days is perfectly normal. If she is happy, bright, eating, and has no discharge, then don't worry. Contact your vet for a check up once she is 5-7 days overdue.

No. The milk of every animal species (including humans!) has a different balance of fats, proteins, sugars, vitamins, and minerals in it. Only offer replacement female dog milk (Lactol) to the puppies. If you offer cows milk or an alternative, there is a high risk of causing life-threatening diarrhea. If in doubt, keep them hydrated with a little sugar water while you track down some puppy formula.

Touching newborns risks the mother rejecting them. While it's OK to touch the puppy to remove birth membranes from the nose and mouth, it's best to keep handling to a minimum until they are 2-3 days old.

The earliest sign is a drop in body temperature of 1 degree Fahrenheit. During first stage labor, the mother is restless, may pace, and may look at her flanks a lot.

It's best not to. There's a distinct risk of cutting the umbilicus too short which can lead to a large hernia developing. When left alone, the umbilicus will quickly dry and shrivel. Just be sure to keep the pup in clean conditions so the navel doesn't pick up bacteria and become infected.