The Whelping Box: Are You Prepared For Your Dog'S Pregnancy?
The whelping box must be sturdy, allowing the dam to go in and out with ease. It should be square, as four equal sides allow the dam to comfortably position herself anywhere in the box while keeping the litter in front of her. The box should allow her to lie fully extended, from the crown of her head to just past her rump, with her legs comfortably extended. Bigger is not better when it comes to the size of your box: the box should not be so enormous that the newborn whelps become disoriented, or "lost" from their dam. The whelping box floor must be level with adequate support throughout. It must not rock or in any manner feel insecure as the mother moves around. One of the four sides should be constructed low enough for her to walk over without scraping her distended abdomen or forcing her to hop in. Constructing this side with opposing end brackets allows the addition of a small board, or a hinged board may be used instead. This effectively raises the side, confining the puppies once they become mobile. The other three sides are permanently constructed slightly higher. Measure the distance from the lowest point of your dog's abdomen to the floor. The shortest side should be no higher than this point. Next, measure the distance from your dog's point of shoulder to the floor while your matron reclines. Her position should be one with her forelegs outstretched, hind legs tucked to one side. You may also measure from her spinal column to the box floor as she fully reclines on her side. This is the point where a railing should be installed around the entire inner circumference of the box. Railings may be removable or stationary according to the breeder's preference. Depending upon the breed, railings may vary in size from a three-quarter-inch dowel for Toys, to a two-by-four or to a two by-six-inch board for large and heavy breeds, such as the Newfoundland or St. Bernard. A three or four-inch railing is usually sufficient for medium and big dogs such as Dalmatians and Alaskan Malamutes. While board railings are secured to the box's side by brackets and bolts, dowel safety railings are mounted through holes drilled in all opposite sides, then secured exterior to the box by pegs or bolts. Safety is best effected when the railing's depth on the whelping box's side is equal in distance to the breadth of a month-old puppy. The whelping box should be ready for occupancy about two weeks prior to the litter's due date. Acclimate your matron to the whelping box as her "personal territory" prior to whelping. Make her bed in the box with old clean towels, a blanket or sheet and newspapers that she may shred. Let her become accustomed to getting in and out. If necessary, feed her in the box if she refuses to sleep or rest there. |
Sponsored Ads:Related Articles:
Articles / The Collie Dog. Beekeeping / How To Make A Honey Extractor Dogs / Dog Training / Why Your Dog Needs To Learn The "Emergency" Down Dogs / Poodle Dogs / Shopping For A Poodle: Should You Get A Toy, Miniature, Or Standard Poodle? Dogs / Pit Bull Dogs / 5 Neat Tricks That You Can Teach Your Pit Bull Dogs / Dog Grooming / Grooming Tools Inventory: Part I Dogs / Dog Training / Teaching Your Dog To Heel (Part 1) Beekeeping / Beekeeping Equipment Dogs / Dog Training / Using Rewards And Positive Reinforcement To Train Your Dog Cat Training / Cat Door Training Dogs / Dog Training / Taking Your Dog Training Off Leash Dogs / Dog Training / Training Your Dog To Make Turns On The Lead Dogs / Pug Dogs Hypoallergenic Dogs / Differences Between Non-Hypoallergenic Dogs And Hypoallergenic Dogs Dogs / Dog Training / Dog Training With A Training Collar Or Choke Collar Also In This Category:
Dogs / Dog Toys - 2 Games Your Dog Will Love: Underwater-Scuba-Fetching & A-Race-To-The-Finish - You Can Never Be Too Safe: 7 More Ways To Help "Pet-Proof" Your House - Tips For The Dog Owner Who Is Loosing Their Eyesight (Part 2) - Is It Safe To Leave Your Dog In Boarding Kennel While Traveling? - 7 Dog Groups & Their Descriptions - How To Make Your Dog'S Pen Area A Playful Heaven - Getting Your Dog Fixed: It'S The Right Thing To Do - Examples Of Non-Sporting Dogs (Part 2) - Adopting Your Dog From A Shelter? Be Prepared To Answer These Questions (Part 2) - Are You Encouraging Your Dog To Bite? - Advice For Your Visit To The Dog Shelter (Part 1) - 9 Tips For The Best Dog Toys - A Dog'S Understanding Of Words, Or Lack Thereof - 6 Ways You Can Reverse The Roles Of A Demanding Dog - Dog Walking Tips For The Busy City (Part 1) Currently Online :7 member(s), 30 guest(s): AngelWings, Beanie, Borat, LetsRemeber, NoName, PuppyPower, ToxicSkull, Crawler.de, Google, MSN.com, Cobion.com, Slurp Search : |
No comments yet
shouldn feeding reinforcement members feed consult times qualifying healthy recipe instinct plants sharp handling batch areas clothes harness break garage passed germany behaviors skye leave internet walk bitch dull irish lice hot home forest potential predator parasites clipping cat man interfere signals costs male spray growing extremely check functions combs eye
Categories: Healthy Dog Dog Diets Obedience Training Boxer Holistic Veterinary Responsible Dog Ownership New Dog Owners Top 5 Deadly Canine Diseases Cats Pet Food Hypoallergenic Dogs Pets Dog Breeds Iguanas Golden Retriever Dog Care Reptiles Beekeeping Cat Training Small Dog Breeds Puppy Training Poodle Dogs Pit Bull Dogs Labrador Retriever Dogs Dog Training Dog Toys Dog Supplies Dog Shows Dog Psychology Dog Parasites Dog Nutrition Dog Grooming Dog Food Dog Diseases Dog Collars Dog Behaviour Dalmatian Dogs Dogs Pet Insurance