How To Build A Whelping Box For A German Shepherd

Whelping Box Size By Breed

We;suggest that you measure the rectangular space occupied by your bitch when she is lying down, fully stretched out. Then add;a;few inches to each side for comfort. Remember to add an additional 4 inches on each side if you will be using rails.Then compare that area to the inside dimensions of our boxes:

• EZclassic 28×28:;27.5″ x 27.5″
• EZclassic 38×38:;38″ x 38″
• EZclassic 48×48:;48.5″ x 48.5″
• Fab System 3×3:;36″ x 36″
• Fab System 4×4: 47″ x 47″
• Fab System 4×6: 47″ x 71″
• Fab System “Whopper” 7×6: 82″ x 71″

Consider the following when selecting a size for your whelping box:

• The weight of the bitch
• The size of the bitch
• Number of puppies in the litter
• Temperament of the bitch

How Long Will It Last

The normal German shepherd gestation period can last up to 63 days. However, to make sure you dont be caught by surprise, its worth noting that the earliest a pregnant German shepherd can give birth is 58 days. Some may even take as long as 68 days.

This is because the number of offspring also varies. In short, the more puppies, the longer it takes, and vice versa, which leads us to the next question.

Finally You Need To Line The Opening Of Each One Of The Boxes With Paper Towels

Make sure you dont wash the paper towels because they will probably be used again for drying your dogs waste. Now you should put your German Shepherds paws into his box. He should be able to move around in his box but you shouldnt allow him to stand up. After he has used his litter box, you should take him outside and wait for him to relieve himself. As long as your dog is healthy and hasnt eaten his fill before you start your new pets life, you should be able to keep him from using his box for quite a while.

As time goes on, you may find your dog wants to get out of his box. This is fine, just put him back in his box. The German Shepherd whelping process can go on all day if you dont give him breaks. When you find that he isnt urinating anymore and isnt bothering you any longer, you should take him out to his litter box area and start him up there. This will go along way in how to make a German Shepherd whelping fun and easy for everyone.

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When To Stop Exercising Your Pregnant Dog

This may seem obvious, but its best to avoid over exerting your dog later in their pregnancy. In those last three weeks, stay indoors with your dog and keep them away from other dogs. Any exercise should be light and gentle.

You wont induce dogs by walking your dog when they are pregnant either, so you dont need to worry about that. Just be careful with the amount of exercise that they do since they could end up injuring herself and the puppies if its too much for her to handle.

How A Whelping Box Nurtures The Maternal Nesting Instinct

Nesting is a primary maternal instinct of an expectant brood bitch. Pregnant dogs in the wild would select a secluded spot with adequate warmth and shelter and then camouflage the den with grass, sticks, branches, and brush. Although bitches producing purposefully bred litters today have whelping boxes provided for them, that nesting instinct remains intact.

Nurturing a pregnant dogs nesting instinct entails introducing her to the whelping box at least five days before her delivery date. This allows time for her to become adjusted and comfortable before the puppies are born. Breeders often choose a small room in their home or kennel that is quiet and secluded to set up the whelping box.;

Many considerations go into setting up the ideal whelping box for your breed of dog. Importantly, the size should be appropriate large enough for a dam to stretch out with some room to spare as a box that is too large can cause her great distress. It is easier for the dam to protect puppies that are close to her, and a box that is too large allows the puppies to move away from their mother and puts them at risk of malnutrition and becoming cold.

Whether a breeder selects a commercial style or a custom-made whelping box, the most important aspects are the comfort and safety of the brood bitch and her litter.

Ideal Whelping Box

Best Bedding Material

Supplemental Heat Considerations

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When Can German Shepherds Get Pregnant

Female German Shepherds get closer to being pregnant when they experience their first heat cycle, which varies from breed to breed. Usually, larger breeds of German Shepherds experience their first heat when they are 9 12 months old, while smaller breeds can have their first heat as early as 6 months from their birth.

During a heat cycle, your German Shepherd will be in pain, so naturally, she may not eat much or be as active as before. Since your dog will be bleeding, she may act moody or aggressive at times. During this stage, you should be gentle with your precious pet and let her be. No matter when your German Shepherd has her first heat cycle, she wont be ready to breed until she is about two years old.

German Shepherd Pregnancy: All You Need To Know

This blog post covers everything you need to know about German Shepherd pregnancy, from when the dog breed gets pregnant to how long it remains pregnant to how many babies a German Shepherd can produce at one time, and so much more!

German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Today, they are purchased as well as adopted as hunting dogs, service dogs, police dogs, and pets, of course. Though German Shepherds are low maintenance in the grooming department, they still require special attention, especially if they are pregnant.

The thought of having German Shepherd puppies may catch you off guard, but if you are well prepared and informed about German Shepherd pregnancy, you can easily take care of your pregnant dog during a time when it may need your help the most. So, without any further ado, lets fill you in with everything theres to know about German Shepherd pregnancy.

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Pet Nap Plastic Whelping Box

Designed from strong and durable plastic, the Pet Nap Reusable Plastic Whelping Box has three different sizes ranges from 24, 30 and 36 inches in dimensions. Three pieces of wooden dowling form the interior puppy rails. The rails are covered in an outer plastic coating, this means the box is easy to disinfect and wipe down, which is a huge bonus with messy puppies. The product has a lowered entrance wall for the mother, but it is still tall enough to prevent young puppies from climbing out.

This whelping box has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars of Amazon with a user named Polly saying their Cockapoo bitch was happy and she and her seven pups had plenty of room. Ten of the thirteen reviews on Amazon were five stars and eleven of the thirteen reviews were positive. Miranda M gave one of two single star reviews and was most displeased with the quality of the boxs material. They said it was thin and flimsy and ultimately cheap.

Hudson Screwless Whelping Nest

Rated 4.7 stars out of 5, the Hudson Screwless Whelping Nest is one of the most popular whelping box substitutes on our list. Made from high-quality vinyl, the box is stated to not rot or crack in your garden. Therefore, can be a perfect material to avoid damage from new puppy teeth and is easy to clean and wipe down. As it is baseless, it is easy to move, clean and you can add whatever base and you feel is appropriate.

Tal Erickson said it was perfect for his large breed German Shepard and her eight puppies. His review gave five stars and stated they had plenty of room and the box was easy to put together. Three reviews mentioned their disappointment at the size of the bed disclosing that the outside measurements were 48 by 48 inches, but the inside room was only 42 inches. However, both inside and outside dimensions are written in the products description.

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Prepare A Checklist Of Supplies

Keep in mind that this is a general checklist that will be useful for your pups birth. But if your vet specified anything additional due to an individual circumstance for your GSD, always adhere to their instructions.

Having the checklist ready is an essential step to making sure you are ready. You dont want to be scrambling to find those clean blankets or a thermometer at the last minute.;

And remember, you will want this checklist to include everything you may need before, during, and after the birth. That will also include emergency items that you hopefully will not need but should have ready.

Standard Supplies:

You will want to have some of the blankets around the mom. They will help keep her warm and feeling safe and secure. If she has a favorite blanket or an old shirt of yours that she loves to snuggle up with, use those.;

But you will also need additional towels and blankets ready for the little pups after birth. Ensuring they are all warm and cozy after the birth will be, first and foremost. A pile of German Shepherd puppies bundled up with mom surrounded by comfort blankets is also just really adorable.

Newborn puppies are unable to regulate their body temperature. The new mama understands this and will do her best to keep her pups warm using her body temperature and cuddling them close. But having a heating pad or lamp ready to go will help keep the space warm for the newborns.;

Some Other Things To Consider About German Shepherds

German shepherds are popular for a reason. They are deeply loyal, obedient, and protective. But along with these admirable features are some that could be problematic for some.

They are highly sensitive, enjoy the rough play, are very energetic and can be very clingy. For these reasons, they are not the perfect dog for all families.

Only those adults who can give their German Shepherd proper exercise, rough play, training, and stimulation should consider this breed, as neglecting any one of these areas could result in a stubborn and untrainable, miserable dog.

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When Does A Female Dog First Come Into Heat

Puberty or sexual maturity in the female dog usually occurs around 9 to 10 months of age. The smaller breeds tend to go into estrus or heat earlier and some females can have their first heat cycle as early as four months of age. On the other hand, the large and giant breeds can be up to two years old before they come into heat for the first time. For many dogs, the first heat is silent or does not have clinical signs associated with estrus. Additionally, many dogs first estrus cycle is unlikely to allow successful breeding, therefore the standard practice is to wait until the second or third heat cycle before breeding.

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Cooling & Heating Features

Some boxes can come with added features such as cooling fans or heat mats to make sure your bitch and puppies are feeling happy and healthy. These features may be more expensive as they are luxury, but can be beneficial, especially if you live in extreme temperature areas such as Alaska or Florida.

Youll want to check that the wiring can be easily tucked away and that the heat mat is not going to be a fire hazard. Thermostats with metal probes can control the temperature of heat mats and are sometimes provided.

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What All Materials Are Required To Build A Whelping Box

• Thick plywood board of 1/2 size
• Smooth grade sheet of 4/8
• Two 2/4 lumber pieces
• Wood screws and other supplies

For floor you need thick plywood, adhesive, braces for corners of L-shaped.

In three equal parts, cut any one section. It will serve as the three sides of the box. You can have the sturdy box for your pooch if you use 1/2 plywood.

How To Tell If Your Dog Is Elderly

While greying of the hair and muzzle is a common way to tell if a dog is getting older, this observation couldnt be further from the truth.

Much of the reason a dogs hair starts to grey lies mostly in their genetics, and the German Shepherd is no different.

Your German Shepherd could be as young as three years old, or as old as 15 years old, when their coat begins to grey.

It is not an accurate representation of whether or not your canine is elderly.

However, there are other signs of telling whether or not your German Shepherd, or any dog for that matter, is elderly.

Good ways to tell are noticing that your German Shepherd isnt as spry and energetic as they once were.

Preferring to walk at a mid-pace instead of a run or brisk walk, and lazing around the house instead of playing.

Stiffness and slowness to stand up or lay down is another common sign.

Hazing or clouding of the eyes may also indicate that your dog is becoming elderly.

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Deluxe Pvc Warwick Whelping Box

Warwick Whelping Boxes is an amazing company based in Sunderland, England and specialized in building high-quality professional whelping boxes. This is a great product for UK residents! Allow two to three weeks for delivery as every single order is manufactured individually to ensure a seamless product from the solid bottom base to the puppy rails.

Each whelping box is delivered cleaned and sterilized prior to packing you understand that if the sterilization seal is broken the whelping box cannot be returned.

Heavy-duty materials have been used to build this durable and resistant whelping box. The bottom base is bound in one piece to minimize the potential harboring of germs. The entrance door at the front is so great that you can adjust its height thanks to the removable three sections provided. It lets you keep using the box even after the dogs grew up in size.

Like its American cousin, this Deluxe PVC Warwick Whelping Box requires no tool to be assembled, the rivets can easily be tightened by hand and the sides, front and door all fit onto the base. The step-by-step assembly instructions are obviously provided but you may well do it without.

No tools are needed, as the rivets are designed to be tightened by hand.

Pros

Cons

• Delivery time

Small, 30 x 24 x 12.5 Medium, 30 x 30 x 12.5 Large, 36 x 36 x 12.5 X-Large, 40 x 40 x 12.5

Remember You Arent Required To Feed Your German Shepherd Anymore

This is one of the biggest mistakes people make when learning how to make a German Shepherd. Dogs eat when they are hungry, not when they are thirsty. This is why you shouldnt feed your dog when he is thirsty. He may still drink water throughout the day, just not a lot.

After about 24 hours, let your dog relieve himself in a doggy bowl. You can also hold the dog in his box to help with the process. This is when you start to get into the basics of how to make a German Shepherd whelping. Its important to let your puppy see that the box is his place of refuge and it is his job to keep clean.

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Commit Yourself To The Puppies For Life

For breeders, responsibility doesnt end when their puppies leave with new owners. Responsible breeders make sure their puppies new families know they can turn to them with any questions or problems that arise throughout the puppies lives.

As a breeder, you will be gratified by phone calls and letters describing your puppies first teeth, birthday parties, and other milestones. Youll be thrilled to receive photos of a puppys first show win or portraits with the puppy right in the middle of a happy family. But you will also have to be ready for bad news: a family splitting up and leaving the dog homeless; a vet contacting you about an unforeseen hereditary illness; a dog you thought would be a great obedience prospect biting a young child. As a breeder, you will need to be there with advice and support for all these situations. Responsible breeders answer questions, provide resources, and assist with problems that may come up. Responsible breeders assist in re-homing or take in puppies should the need arise.

Other Exercises For Pregnant Dogs

Of course, walks arent the only way that you can exercise your pregnant dog. You dont need to completely cover them in bubble wrap just realize that there will be some things that simply arent safe for your pregnant dog.

Here are a couple of ideas of exercises that you can do with your pregnant dog.

• Fetch or Playing Catch

Be gentle and dont throw the ball too far away, but this sort of exercise is great because it can help your pregnant dog to keep their muscles in good shape. This is very helpful when your dog is getting ready to deliver their babies. Its important to note that your dog shouldnt be doing anything that involves jumping or running when they get to 4 weeks pregnant.

• Indoor Exercises

You can do certain exercises with your dog from the comfort of your sofa. For instance, you can play fetch with them, as long as the room is big enough. These sorts of exercises are much better for your dog when they are later on in their pregnancy rather than exercises that you would do outdoors.

• Swimming;

Not all dogs enjoy swimming, but it can be a great low impact activity for your dog. Just make sure that they arent straining themselves too much. You can use an outdoor dog paddling pool for this, or you can even let them frolic in the water at your local beach.

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