How to Tell When My Dog Is Ready to Have Puppies

Dogs usually birth their puppies about 63 days after fertilization.

Breeding dogs is a long and involved process with plenty of prenatal preparation and a long wait. A dog's gestation is about 58 to 68 days, with an average whelping date around the 63rd day after her fertilization. When the time for whelping finally arrives, it can be difficult for a dog owner to know when the dog is ready to have her litter. The female dog will need close supervision to watch for changes as she gets closer to her due date.

Things You'll Need

• Rectal thermometer
• Nesting materials
• Whelping box

Instructions

1. 

   A rectal thermometer is proper for a dog's temperature reading.

   Take your dog's rectal temperature regularly to monitor for any changes. In the two weeks before her due date, begin taking her temperature every 12 hours. In the last few days before her due date, switch to taking her temperature every four hours. According to the University of Pennsylvania, a normal dog's temperature is 101 to 103 degrees Fahrenheit. When a dog's temperature drops below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, labor will begin within 24 hours.

2. Watch the dog for signs of discomfort. When labor is impending, the pregnant dog will begin to pace, pant or tremble. She will generally appear restless and seem unable to get comfortable in her whelping box. At this point, the dog should be kept hydrated and watched closely for signs of vomiting. This phase of labor can last anywhere from six to 12 hours and is the longest step of the labor process in dogs.

3. Give your dog comfortable materials with which to make a nest. When labor is about to begin, a pregnant dog will begin incessantly making a nest for herself and her incoming puppies. She will dig, roll and push materials around to make the perfect place to lie down. Potential materials include pillows, blankets, straw or shavings.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to take your dog to the vet two weeks before her due date for a full checkup and ultrasound of her abdomen to ensure that the pregnancy is progressing as normal.

• If the dog does not begin to deliver the puppies within 24 hours after her temperature drops, take her to the veterinarian right away.

• If more than 69 days have elapsed since her fertilization and labor has not begun, take your dog to the vet for an evaluation.

References

• Alabama Cooperative Extension System: Canine Breeding and Reproduction
• University of California - Davis: Normal Whelping in the Bitch
• University of California - Davis: Breeding Management of the Bitch

Resources

• Mar Vista Vet: Giving Birth to Puppies
• Whelping Management