Dog Whelping Guide: Labor Stages, Normal Birth and Emergencies

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

Most dogs whelp without help, but being prepared lets you step in if something goes wrong.

Before labor

• Set up a whelping box about two weeks in advance, in a quiet, warm, draft-free room
• Line with washable bedding, newspaper or puppy pads
• Gather supplies: clean towels, a digital thermometer, a kitchen scale, dental floss, blunt scissors, heating pad, gloves, a notepad
• Save contact numbers for your vet and emergency clinic
• Take her temperature twice a day from about day 58. See how to take a dog's temperature

Signs labor is near

• Temperature drop below about 99 F (37.2 C) within 12 to 24 hours
• Restlessness, panting and shivering
• Nesting and digging
• Refusing food
• Clear vaginal discharge

Stage one: early labor

Lasts about 6 to 12 hours, occasionally up to 24 in first-time mothers. She may pant, pace and seem anxious. Contractions are not visible.

Stage two: delivering puppies

Strong contractions begin, and the first puppy normally arrives within 30 to 60 minutes of hard straining. Puppies often arrive 15 to 60 minutes apart, with rests of up to two hours. The mother usually tears the sac, bites the cord and licks the puppy to stimulate breathing.

Stage three: placentas

Each puppy is followed by a placenta, passed within about 15 minutes. Mothers often eat them, and a few are harmless, but too many can cause upset stomach. Keep count to make sure every placenta comes out.

Helping newborns

If the mother does not clear the sac, gently tear it, wipe the face, rub the puppy with a towel and clear the nose and mouth. Keep puppies warm and make sure each nurses soon after birth. Weigh each puppy and record details. See newborn puppy care first two weeks and how to tell if a newborn puppy is healthy.

When to call the vet immediately

• Strong straining for 30 to 60 minutes with no puppy
• Weak, intermittent contractions for two hours without a puppy
• Green or bloody discharge before the first puppy
• More than two to four hours between puppies when more remain
• A puppy stuck in the birth canal
• Mother is very lethargic, collapsing or has a fever
• Profuse bleeding
• Pregnancy over 65 days without labor
• A puppy appears weak or not breathing

Breeds with large heads, such as bulldogs, often need planned cesareans. See brachycephalic breed health issues.

After whelping

Take the mother's temperature, offer water and food, and check for retained puppies or placentas. Take her and the litter to the vet within one to two days for a check. Watch for signs of eclampsia, such as restlessness, tremors and stiffness, which is an emergency. See dog emergency warning signs.

Feeding the nursing mother

Feed a high-quality diet as advised. See feeding pregnant and nursing dogs.

Orphans

If the mother cannot nurse, call your vet. See caring for orphan puppies and how to bottle feed a puppy.

Questions to ask your vet

Ask when to call, whether an X-ray for puppy count is advised, whether a cesarean is likely, how to handle weak puppies and which supplies to stock.

Common mistakes

• Pulling on puppies
• Waiting too long to call
• Not keeping the room warm
• Overhandling newborns

Troubleshooting

• My dog stops mid-delivery: she may be resting, but call if over two hours.
• A puppy is not breathing: rub with a towel and call your vet.
• She ignores her puppies: keep them warm and call.

A simple plan

1. Prepare the box and supplies.
2. Monitor temperature.
3. Record each birth.
4. Call at warning signs.

Real-life examples

A spaniel whelps eight puppies overnight with minimal help. A bulldog needs a planned cesarean. A terrier needs an emergency call after two hours without a puppy. Preparation matters.

Stay calm

A calm presence helps the mother, and your vet is only a phone call away.

The takeaway

Prepare, watch and call your vet at warning signs. Most dogs whelp without help.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different. If your dog is unwell, or you are unsure about a symptom, diet change or medication, contact your veterinarian.