The miracle of birth can be very moving to witness, even when it is the birth of puppies. When a pregnant dog goes into labor, her instincts will tell her what to do. However, it is a good idea for her owner to be familiar with canine pregnancy and what to expect during birth so that they can be of assistance in the event of a problem.

A healthy pregnancy for a dog will last between sixty and sixty-four days. When a dog is close to labor, it is a good idea to take her temperature regularly. If it drops down between ninety-seven and ninety-nine degrees for two readings about twelve hours apart, she can be expected to go into labor within the next twenty-four hours. Her labor will go in three distinct stages which will be repeated for each puppy that she delivers.

In the first stage of labor, the dog will become restless and anxious. She will separate herself from other animals as well as people and will be uninterested in food, even treats that she usually loves. This is a good time to take her out to use the bathroom because she may not have a chance to go again before she begins delivering the puppies.

In the second stage, a green sac of fluid will come from the dog’s vulva followed shortly behind by the puppies. The puppies may be born head or rear first and either position is perfectly safe. The dog will clean the puppies and sever the umbilical cord herself, but it may be necessary to lend a hand if the process is not going fast enough for the puppies to begin breathing safely.

[Reae More]