Suggestions for whelping box
 

Hi I seen on http://www.debbiejensen.com/ that she had a large rubbermaid container/storage box for a whelping box? Is this work, or any other suggestions...I have read tons and tons and seen some pretty elaborate boxes..but thought the storage box looked good??

I saw that too(it looks like it works well), but I'm making mine abit bigger(my female has a habit of trampeling her pups if she doesn't have enough room)with just a plastic box from walmart. Its like a sweater box for under the bed without wheels on it.

A long heavy duty cardboard box worked well for the two litters we have had. Use them once and then throw them away..... I kept the lid and cut 1/2 the top off so that there was a "cave" on one side..... I made sure that the box was short enough so that mom could come and go... When the pups could get out we used a playpen.

Good luck with your babies.... Can't wait to see pics.

i have had four litters and have used the same whelping box for all of them. i got a rubbermaid plastic container from Walmart. it is a slid under the bed sweater box. The sides are short enough so that the pregnant or nursing mom can get over the side to potty on her pad without injuring her belly or the unborn puppies. I also do not use towels or anything in it. I ordered a couple of "Pish Pad's for $25, each and cut them to fit just the bottom. they are specially for whelping boxes. If you use anything else there is a chance that the puppies will get lost under it. i usually throw a towel in two or three days before whelping date just to check and see if mama iss "digging her nest' yet. Then I remove it. First time, someone told me to use newspapers and it the worst mess I have ever seen in my life. so I was ready the next time. I also have a huge x-pen set up. I set it up a couple of weeks before time at the foot of my bed. then I set the pan in one end of it. When the puppies get big enough to climb out of the pan, I remove the pan and put cardboard all around the inside of the x-pen so they won't get their little heads hung in the cracks. I also put a huge folded rug in the end where the pan was for the puppies and mama to sleep on with the pee pad , food and water on the other end.

ok great ideas and thanks...I think she is looking and I need to get moving on this soon...I can't find the pish pads at that price though??

so the sweater box will give her enough "privacy" she is a finicky little lady and I was thinking of a taller box?? ohh I am just fretting!! lol:confused:

i also use a rubbermaid plastic box. it has worked great for me.

here ya go. this is where I get mine

www.osCommerce.com

That's what my breeder used, I know. I'm not very knowledgable, just wanted to let you know it has been done...good luck :)

Put it in a dark corner in a room that is not used much. Where do you have her? You could even put it in the closet but leave the door open. My little ones (tiny) would not be able to get over the sides of anything any taller. their little bellies drag the floor almost and i don't want them hurting the babies. I always put my mama's in the x-pen about a week before time, then as time grows near, they automatically seem to know what the whelping box is for and start spending time in it. usually the day right before, they go in and don't come out except to eat andd pee pee.

I used the one with the cut-out hole, but I finally found one at the size I wanted that can go under the bed at Walmart. I prefer it for more room, not as much worry about the puppies getting layed on. And plenty of blanket/towels to nest with.

welping box
 

I use the bottom half of the airline crates for dogs.take it apart.

I use a dog litter box. I put the lower lip towards the back of the xpen until the pups are ready to explore (around 4 weeks)... then I turn it around so they can get out of the box.

I use the taller rubbermaid boxes with lids. I cut a hole in the side so mama can come and go. While whelping it can be next to my bed and I can peek inside through the top. I take the lid completely off when she actually gets down to having the puppies. This size just fits into the large size wire dog crates. (This also sits in my bedroom) The mama can get out of the box and have some alone time if I have locked her in (to keep other dogs out and to keep them from eating her food) Mama tells me when she wants out to go potty or for sometime with me. This way mama feels she is still apart of our life (my computer is right next to the crate in the bedroom, so guess where I am a lot?!) I also used the crate in the living room with a sweater box when the puppies were a bit older and I had another litter in my bedroom.

I use the rubbermaid whelping box and it works well! My dog adjusted to it right away. I put it in my closet and she just went in & out as she pleased. I like it and I keep it around for my upcoming litters! :)