Motherhood and the Pups

Labor can be divided into three distinct stages.
The first is the dilation of the passages, when the bitch is
definitely uncomfortable and expresses her discomfort in many
ways, usually by scratching and panting.

Stage two is the expulsion of a whelp, which may take
several hours from the first intermittent contractions
until the bitch gets down to the strong, sustained
pushes that finally expel the puppy.

Stage three is the expulsion of the placental membrane
or afterbirth which usually follows immediately after
the birth of the whelp, but occasionally can be retained
for five to ten minutes

When the pushes become really strong and are almost
continuous, a bubble or water sac will emerge from the vulva.

It is best to let the bitch do all she is able to do
for her puppy during the birth, for you may not always
be around when she gives birth!

The pup is generally born in a membrane which is attached
to the placenta by means of an umbilical cord.

If the membrane is not ruptured during the delivery, this is
were the bitch will start to lick and bite at the sac.
If she has not broken or torn the membrane from the puppy head
within 30 sec, this is were you can help her by tearing it from
the puppy head so the puppy can breathe.
There is no rush to cut the umbilical cord.

After the umbilical cord is cut, a clotting agent and then iodine
is put on the cord. If the bitch takes care of the puppy herself
she will lick it with her tongue to dry and stimulate it.

The umbilical cord is cut, a clotting agent is being put on

If you do not hear the puppy start to cry or move after the the membrane is removed from the puppy, this is were you can help the puppy by "gently" but briskly rubbing the puppy in a towel, holding the puppie head down to help remove any mucous from it's throat.

At this point the color of the puppy should start to turn
from a blue to a pink, it should start to cry for the mother.
It is time to give the pup to its mother to nuzzle.
Have faith in the bitch and the puppy instincts.


Normally a pup will be born every 15-20 minutes.
If it should take longer than three or more hours inbetween
pups if she is pushing hard, or if there is a large amounts
of blood she may be in trouble and a veterinarian should be
consulted immediately, or if a puppy is in distress.

*NOTE*

We have been DELIVERING PUPPYS for over 20 years.
If you have never delivered puppys before!
PLEASE let the veterinarian OR someone who has the knowledge and experience do it!
This page is just for general INFO and
should not be used as a guide to deliver puppies in anyway at all.

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