| Puppies are among the cutest creatures, which, | | | | clean more frequently depending on how messy |
| of course, is one of the many reasons that | | | | the pups have been. Supplying fresh towels and |
| rearing pups is such an exciting and rewarding | | | | blankets will keep you very busy, but, of course, |
| experience. However, if you have a female that is | | | | it is vital that their surroundings are kept clean, as |
| about to give birth, it is important to ensure that | | | | the pups are incredibly susceptible to infection at a |
| you are equipped and ready for the new arrivals. | | | | young age. |
| The following hints and tips are designed to guide | | | | When cleaning the pool, try using a gentle |
| a dog owner in the right direction during the first | | | | disinfectant, because strong chemicals and odors |
| days and weeks of newborn puppies' lives. | | | | will be unbearable to the dogs and could cause |
| Somewhere to Live | | | | irritation. Mother will keep her little ones clean by |
| In the days before the birth, it is important to | | | | licking them, but you may need to help her out on |
| ensure that mother has a comfortable, warm and | | | | occasion by wiping the pups with a damp cloth. |
| safe place to give birth. One option is to supply a | | | | Never use any soaps or shampoos, because |
| kiddie 'paddling' pool, lined with blankets and towels. | | | | Mother will ingest these chemicals when |
| Of course, your female probably already has a | | | | conducting her own cleaning duties. |
| comfortable bed, but she and her puppies will | | | | Do Puppies Need to be Kept Warm? |
| need a little more space when the litter arrives. | | | | Puppies, like most young animals, are unable to |
| In addition, it is worth bearing in mind that in | | | | regulate their own body temperature correctly, |
| inflatable pool can be easily cleaned, which will be a | | | | so it is important that they are kept warm. |
| major consideration in the days to come. | | | | Consequently, it is wise to ensure that Mother |
| Moreover, you may wish to place absorbent | | | | gives birth indoors and remains indoors for at |
| puppy pads underneath the pool to ensure that | | | | least the first few weeks of life. Obviously, by |
| liquid does not soak into your carpet or stain an | | | | supplying blankets and towels, you are allowing |
| expensive wooden floor. | | | | the pups to obtain additional warmth. However, if |
| Keeping Mother Close to Her Pups | | | | your female has given birth during the winter, you |
| Of course, the other advantage to using a kiddie | | | | may also like to supply a small heat source. When |
| pool, is that your female can remain close to her | | | | using a small heater, ensure that it is not too |
| young, but the puppies have space to move | | | | close to the litter and that the pups do not |
| around as and when they choose. Some dog | | | | become too warm. |
| breeders choose to place the litter in a box, which | | | | Of course, one of the most important things to |
| is fine, but it does not give Mother easy access | | | | remember when caring for young puppies is to |
| to her young. Generally, close proximity between | | | | keep a close eye on them. Not only will this allow |
| Mother and pups is less stressful for all parties. | | | | you to monitor their temperature and cleanliness, |
| Cleaning | | | | but it will also enable you to observe their growth |
| It is important to clean the pool or box that the | | | | and overall health. Caring for newborn pups will |
| pups are inhabiting regularly. Ideally, this should be | | | | keep you very busy, but it is a highly rewarding |
| done at least once a day, but you may need to | | | | experience, too. |