Are you looking for whelping box plans? A whelping box, which is also referred to as a nesting box, provides a safe and comfortable place for female dogs to give birth, as well as a location to nurse and nest with her offspring for several weeks following their birth.
Building a Whelping Box
If your dog will be giving birth to puppies soon, it's important to make sure that you have a whelping box on hand to use for the delivery as well as for the new mother and her litter to nest for about six weeks after the birth. Manufactured whelping boxes are widely available for purchase at pet supply stores and mass merchandise retailers that have large pet care departments, but it's not difficult to build one yourself if you have a good set of plans to use.
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Whelping boxes do not have to be complicated or fancy. They are simply square, open boxes with flat bottoms and raised sides. The type and size of box you will need depends on breed size. For the largest breeds, such as Great Dane and Great Pyrenees, you will need a whelping box that is about 5 feet X 5 feet with sides that are around 18 inches high. For medium breeds, whelping boxes are typically 4 feet X 4 feet with sides approximately one foot high. Smaller sizes are sufficient for small and toy breeds.
When deciding which size whelping box you need, consider the fact that the area of the box should be sufficient to comfortably accommodate a nursing mama dog and her full litter of puppies for the first six weeks of their lives. The sides of the box should be tall enough to keep the puppies from climbing or falling out. There should be a dip on one side of the box to make it easy for the mother dog to freely move in and out of the box.
If you need help downloading the printable instructions, check out these helpful tips.
(Video) How to Build a Whelping Pen (Super Easy)
Supplies and Tools Needed
One sheet of four by eight foot plywood in one-half inch thickness
Two pieces of two by four foot lumber in eight foot length
Two and one-half-inch long wood screws
One-inch long wood screws
Wood glue
Sandpaper
Wood stain or polyurethane
Three-inch wide paintbrush
Circular saw
Screwdriver or drill
Gather all of your supplies together before beginning the project to reduce the amount of time wasted between steps. If you do not own a circular saw, there are additional options available. Most home improvement stores such as Lowe's or Home Depot rent equipment. Typically rentals are either four hours, which is considered a half day, or for the full day. Another option is to have the plywood and lumber cut at the store. Often both stores will provide the first two cuts for free and additional cuts are a nominal fee. If you choose to have the wood cut at the store, make sure you have the measurements with you because the stores only will provide cuts at the time of purchase.
(Video) 15 Things You Need Ready Before Whelping
Instructions to Build a Whelping Box
Measure and cut the wood into required lengths. The plywood should initially be cut in half so there are two pieces that measure four by four foot square. Set one aside for the bottom of the whelping box. The other half should be cut into four pieces that measure one by four feet each. These will be the sides of the box. It is important to have sides low enough for the mother to be able to get out when needed but high enough for the puppies to remain inside. For small breed dogs, you may opt for lower sides by cutting the pieces in half again so they measure six inches by four feet each. Discard the extra pieces or reserve them for another project. One piece of lumber should be cut in half so each piece measures four feet in length. Cut two lengths from the other piece of lumber that measure three feet, eight inches in length and discard the small leftover piece. These four pieces will form a square for the plywood bottom to rest upon.
Once the pieces are cut, sand any rough edges so the pieces will fit securely together. Lay them flat on a drop cloth or newspapers, then stain if desired. Once the stain has completely dried, follow up with a coat of polyurethane to waterproof. If you choose not to stain the whelping box, you should still apply the polyurethane because it helps protect the whelping box from the elements if the box will be outside.
Assemble the box by first attaching the lumber to the bottom of the plywood base with the two and one-half-inch long wood screws. Each lumber piece should be placed on the plywood so it is flush to the edge. Attach to the plywood by drilling two screws on each end of the lumber so it is firmly secured. Start with one, four foot length and attach. One of the shorter pieces should be attached next at a 90 degree angle. The third piece should be the other four foot length which is placed parallel from the first four foot length then the final piece drilled into place in the remaining spot. The result should be a square frame.
Flip the the plywood over and attach each of the sides using the one inch screws. For sides over six inches, place screws at three-inch intervals to insure the sides will remain sturdy. For sides six inches or shorter, a screw at the bottom and the top are sufficient.
(Video) HOW TO MAKE A WHELPING BOX ON A BUDGET
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More Whelping Box Plans
Many dog breeders and others who have made their own nesting boxes have published their best whelping box plans online for others to use as guides. A few online resources where you can find plans to build your own box include:
McEmn Mark III Whelping Box - Visit this website to find detailed instructions for building a whelping box large enough to accommodate a litter of Great Dane puppies. You can make proportional adjustments to the dimensions provided if you would like to construct a smaller box.
K-Nine Dobermans - At this site, you will find detailed instructions for building a whelping box large enough to accommodate a litter of Doberman Pinscher puppies. You'll find plan drawings, written directions and photographs of each step of construction as well as the finished product on this link.
Dee's Whelping Box - This site provides specific instructions for constructing a whelping box. The instructions are provided in narrative format accompanied by figures with visual representations of each step.
If you decide that constructing a whelping box is a do-it-yourself project that you would rather not tackle, there are alternatives. You can purchase a pre-made whelping box or adapt another type of product for this purpose. For example, the bottom portion of a fiberglass dog crate may be used as a whelping box for medium dogs or small dog breeds. For large dogs, some people use shallow plastic wading pools.
An ideal whelping box should be the length of your female dog plus an extra foot (at least) in one direction. That is if your female is 50 inches in length from nose to rear, then the box should be around 62 inches in one direction (for example, width of the box).
An ideal whelping box should be the length of your female dog plus an extra foot (at least) in one direction. That is if your female is 50 inches in length from nose to rear, then the box should be around 62 inches in one direction (for example, width of the box).
Whelping boxes need to have sides that are high enough to keep small puppies up to four weeks old in but low enough to allow the dam to get out. This will usually mean the walls need to be 50 - 60cms high.
Puppy Rails – Install a pig rail around the inside edge of the whelping box approximately 5 inches off the floor to keep the dam from pinning a puppy between her body and the wall causing suffocation.
A whelping box. An absorbent material for the whelping box, such as newspapers (but these may become sodden quickly and often stay wet and cold), puppy pads, incontinence pads or vetbeds. Clean towels or paper towels to help clean up during labour. Towels for drying and cleaning up the puppies.
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.
Place the box in a dark, quiet area of the house. This can be a basement, a closet, or a spare bedroom with the shades drawn. Allow the mother to freely come and go from her whelping area. Keep other dogs away from her whelping area so that she knows it is her place to deliver.
The bottom of the box may or may not have a floor and may be lined with specially designed "whelping pads," or layers of newspaper (or fabric) to provide insulation from cold floors and to absorb fluids. Fabric covers or partial covers are often used on top to provide a "den-like" environment for the mother.
The whelping box should have a consistent temperature around 85 degrees, as puppies are not able to generate their own body heat until they are 2 ½ weeks of age. “Excessively high temperatures and high humidity can cause respiratory difficulties and dehydration in puppies.
For Classic Value boxes, the lamps are fixed to approximately 20 inches above the ground. The proper height will vary depending on a variety of factors, including humidity and ambient room temperature.
Put the whelping box in a room that is isolated from other dogs. Many breeders set it up in their own bedrooms for the first three weeks. A door and/or gate should be used to keep other dogs away. An ex-pen around the whelping box provides an extra layer of safety.
During this critical period, the pups are monitored around the clock. The whelping box has pig rails (to prevent pups from being suffocated by their mother) that are removed after two weeks and replaced with a small potty area.
At 2.5 weeks, open the whelping box and add an area two times the size and cover with newspaper…. Change the bedding in the box several times per day, but do not change the paper often (keep it smelling like a toilet and keep the bed smelling like a fresh bed…)
Ron has fixed a 40mm Waste pipe all around the Inside of the Whelping Box at a Hight of 80mm this allows the new-born puppies don't get squashed against the sides by their mum.
Many owners ask if they can use a dog crate as a whelping box - the answer is yes, if your dog is already crate trained. This way, they may find security in using this as their whelping box too. Make sure your box or crate is in a quiet space, that's warm and large enough for movement and lots of little puppies!
Heat lamps can work for this purpose or choose a heating pad with an adjustable thermostat that's safe for pets. Be sure to talk with your vet for the recommended temperature setting that's right for your pups. When the puppies are born, begin by heating the whelping box to about 85°F to 90°F.
Choose a plastic kiddie pool that is round rather than scalloped like a sea shell. A pool that is 3′ in diameter will work well for a mini sized dog. The 3′ pool will also suffice for a dog who is on the smaller end of the medium size range as well.
It's a quiet, dark, and comfortable spot—preferably one that the dog is comfortable with because they don't want to have puppies in the middle of your living room floor.
An ideal nest for dogs giving birth is a large cardboard box lined with puppy pads (in case of accidents), and filled with clean blankets, sheets or towels. Make sure the box is big enough for both mum and the litter to fit comfortably inside, and allow mum room for their own space if your dog wants it.
At what age can puppies be separated from their mother? The minimum time a puppy must be with its mother is 6 weeks, a period of time after which the puppy begins to wean. However, this is the bare minimum. The ideal minimum time that the puppy should be able to separate from its mother is 8 weeks.
By the time the puppies are 2-3 weeks old, the mother should have an area near the whelping box, but separate from the puppies to allow her time to rest. At about this time, the puppies will start trying to leave the box to explore. They should be well supervised and have safe toys available.
The whelping box must also be warm to prevent illness. Depending on the breed, the temperature of the whelping box will need to remain at a consistent temperature around 80 degrees, making it important to have a pad that is adjustable.
If your pet insists on being near you with her puppies, allow her. A whelping or nesting box in a quiet corner of the living room is preferable to an anxious mother constantly leaving her puppies. Some dogs like the owner to be with them the whole time they are in labor.
Rectal temperatures in a normal newborn puppy range from 95° to 99°F (35° to 37.2°C) for the first week, 97° to 100°F (36.1° to 37.8°C) for the second and third weeks, and reach the normal healthy temperature of an adult (100° to 102°F) (37.8° to 38.9°C) by the fourth week of life.
Make sure that if using hot water bottles or electric blankets they are well covered so the puppies do not get burnt. It is useful to have half of the whelping box unheated for the mother so she does not overheat.
How Long Can Puppies Be Alone? Remember, dogs and especially puppies need to urinate often. As a guideline, new puppies up to 10 weeks old typically can't hold their bladder for more than an hour. Dogs between 10 to 12 weeks old can usually hold it for around two hours.
Supervise the area until you are satisfied that the heat lamp is placed correctly. Heat lamps are typically used until puppies reach 8 weeks of age when they can better regulate their body temperature.
The uniform heating, reduced risk of dehydration, and the temperature-adjustment ability are just a few of the reasons that a heating pad is a better option for your puppies and the winner of the 'pad vs. lamp' debate.
These can include issues with the fetus such as its size or position in the birth canal, and maternal problems such as poor contractions, an infection in the uterus or abnormalities in the pelvic canal, vaginal vault or vulvar opening.
Once the sow has completed the farrowing process there are certain signs that should be observed. She appears at peace, grunts and calls to the piglets.The shivering and movement of the top hind leg ceases. If this is still occurring it is likely that a pig is still presented.
Most boxes will include 3 low railings generally referred to as rails, pig rails, poles, or roll bars. These fix to the inside edges of the box. These to help stop puppies from being crushed or smothered by the mother. Should she roll over during birthing or while asleep.
Take disinfectant in the spray bottle and start sterilizing the entire whelping box with the help of it. Now that the whelping box is disinfected keep clean towels and rugs in the whelping box again for the puppies. Place the pups safely in the whelping box back again with their mother.
From day 29 to 49 puppies will venture away from the whelp box sleeping area. They will not go far, but they will begin to explore. At this time we expand their area to add a play and eating area in the daytime. This is the time to move them out to the kitchen and family room area, where life is happening in the home.
Many owners ask if they can use a dog crate as a whelping box - the answer is yes, if your dog is already crate trained. This way, they may find security in using this as their whelping box too. Make sure your box or crate is in a quiet space, that's warm and large enough for movement and lots of little puppies!
Put the whelping box in a room that is isolated from other dogs. Many breeders set it up in their own bedrooms for the first three weeks. A door and/or gate should be used to keep other dogs away. An ex-pen around the whelping box provides an extra layer of safety.
If you have built your own whelping box, you may have used wood or cardboard for the bottom. These materials are not easy to keep clean. As such, it is a good idea to line the bottom of your box with vinyl flooring.
According to the American Kennel Club, puppies younger than 10 weeks cannot be left alone for more than an hour. From 3-6 months, they should not be left longer than their age in months (for example, 3-month-old puppies cannot be alone for longer than 3 hours).
The whelping box should have a consistent temperature around 85 degrees, as puppies are not able to generate their own body heat until they are 2 ½ weeks of age. “Excessively high temperatures and high humidity can cause respiratory difficulties and dehydration in puppies.
A whelping heating pad is crucial to have on hand next to and in the whelping box. While you clean the whelping box after the birthing process, you are going to need to place the new puppies onto a safe heating pad so they stay warm. The whelping box must also be warm to prevent illness.
You can use towels, sheets, and blankets for bedding your puppies when they start moving here and there. Make sure that the bedding material should possess body-heat retention level. The bedding should be such that it can absorb body fluids and urine properly. It is essential to keep the bedding dry.
Puppies should not leave their mom and littermates before eight weeks of age. The mother dog has so much to teach the new puppy; lessons that will affect him all his life, and his littermates teach important lessons as well. If the mother dog has passed away, the littermates need to remain together.
At 2.5 weeks, open the whelping box and add an area two times the size and cover with newspaper…. Change the bedding in the box several times per day, but do not change the paper often (keep it smelling like a toilet and keep the bed smelling like a fresh bed…)
During this critical period, the pups are monitored around the clock. The whelping box has pig rails (to prevent pups from being suffocated by their mother) that are removed after two weeks and replaced with a small potty area.
Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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