just thought i would like to update on the whelp
3 days ago i noticed that my dog was gone when i woke up in the morning. i kept calling for her but she wasn't coming out. turned out she was hiding in my closet! so i put her in her whelping box because i wanted her to get accustomed to the area 24 hours prior before whelping.
i went downstairs for 10 mins to use the computer and do some research, came upstairs and THERE WAS A BABY!
at first i totally freaked because i wasn't present but she actually cleaned up the baby very fast and also took care of the umibilical cord [i didn't touch the mother at all]. 30 mins later, the second one slid out! i also allowed her to take care of that too...didn't touch anything.
the mother was actually present during the whelping and stayed very close, laying on a pillow and watching. the dog/daughter giving birth didn't seem to mind and was very calm during the birthing process.
i guess it's different for everyone!