How Do You Build A Whelping Pen For Dogs?
As the time nears for your dog to give birth, you’re probably wondering about the optimal setup for the blessed event. Whether you install one in the house or in a safe, sheltered corner of your yard, making a whelping pen will help keep the puppies safe and their mom happy. Decide between building inside or out. An indoor birth is always preferred–not just because of the possibility of cold or wet weather, but because your dog is likely to feel safer having the babies inside. Other dogs, strange people and predators (like owls) that might prey on the babies can all make a pregnant mom nervous, and a nervous mother is not as able to care for her new pups. Chose an easily cleanable location. Pick the laundry room, a downstairs bathroom, an eat-in-kitchen or a warm, dry basement–anywhere in your home that has a floor that’s easy to mop clean. Giving birth to puppies is notoriously messy, and the first few weeks of the pups’ lives are even worse. Define the space. If your dog is small e
