Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Hi Everyone,

Over the years, I have found that the most efficient and effective way to whelp a litter is to place the German Shepherd Dog bitch in a crate while she is whelping her puppies.  To provide some comfort to the Dam, I will cover the crate with sheets leaving the front open so that I can observe her progress and immediately intervene when she drops a puppy.  Puppies seem to be delivered in the middle of the night and labor can take several hours in some circumstances. Therefore, to stay awake and keep myself entertained while waiting for the puppies to be delivered, I will place the crate in such away that I can see everything that is going on and also be able to comfortably watch television.

A Heidelberg German shepherd Dog Bitch in Labor

Once mom drops her puppy, I will clear the airway and allow her to eat the placenta and cut the cord.  Once she has cut the cord, I will clean and dry the puppy off and make sure it is breathing well.  Once I am confident that the puppy is doing well, I will place it in a whelping box under a heat lamp.  As soon as I am sure all the puppies are delivered, I will place mom in the whelping box to care for her puppies.

Heidelberg German Shepherd Dog New Mom Feeding Her Puppies After Delivery

Some new moms may not take cut the cord and clean their puppies immediately after delivery.  If so, I will remove the puppy’s sacks, cut the cord, and then I will clean the puppy.  Again, once I am sure the puppy is doing well, I will place it in the whelping box under the heat lamp.

Since I have started using the crate to observe mom during deliver, I have lost very few puppies to drowning due to them not being removed from their sacks soon enough,  Sometimes new moms get so busy with their new puppies that they stop pushing and allow puppies to drown inside them.  By using the crate method, mom is not with her puppies until all the puppies are delivered, therefore, I no longer lose puppies that die in the birth canal.   Try using a crate method to deliver your German Shepherd Dog puppies, you will find it efficient and easier on you and the dam.

Ask me a question and i will provide my opinion.

Sincerely,

KeystoneGermanShepherds