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A whelping box provides a place for a pregnant dog to deliver, nurse and raise her puppies. It's a lot like a nest. It provides privacy, security and comfort. You should make preparations to make or purchase a whelping box in the weeks leading up to your dog's delivery date. Make sure it is ready for your pregnant dog to investigate and settle into, so that she is comfortable and confident when it is time for her to give birth.
An adequate whelping box should provide your boxer with enough room to sit and lay down comfortably. There should also be room for her puppies, and for any bedding and soft toys that you'll place in the box for your boxer's comfort. Select a whelping box that also has high sides, as it won't be long before those newborn puppies are old enough and big enough to climb and jump out. However, the sides should be low enough for your boxer mom to jump out easily. -
Your female boxer is going to be spending a lot of time in the whelping box, particularly after she has her puppies. Line the bottom of the box with newspaper, and then add padding, blankets or towels. Use old blankets and towels that you don't mind disposing of, or choose white-colored materials, as they can be bleached and laundered to remove any odors and stains.
While your boxer is perfectly capable of providing her own body heat, the same can't be said for her puppies. Puppies younger than 7 to 10 days old are unable to regulate their own body temperatures, so it's a good idea to use a heat lamp or similar type of heating source situated approximately 3 feet above the whelping box. This distance allows the mother to jump in and out as needed, while providing a steady temperature in the range of 80 to 85 degrees. - During and after delivery, your boxer will desire a quiet environment and privacy. Give her what she needs by placing the whelping box in a quiet area. The corner of a room, the area beneath a table and isolated rooms are great sources of quiet and privacy for a whelping box.
