Once a mum to be goes into labour she is supervised, in person, constantly. She often has her own ideas about where to birth. Labour happens any time, any weather.
As the puppies arrive they are checked to see that they are breathing. If the puppy appears unresponsive it is rubbed vigerously with a towel until is starts ‘squeaking’. It is also dried as a wet puppy gets cold quickly. The umbilical cord is cut if necessary.
This all has to be done very carefully as a mother dog often wants to do everything herself: it can be a real balancing act deciding when the time has come to help, and help has to be given calmly and carefully.
In the event of a medical emergency a c-section may be needed. The above photos are of puppies following a c-section. The mother was unable to deliver a puppy who became stuck. The mum was getting tired and was quite nervous in above picture, just prior to the operation (the c-section resulted in healthy mum and six beautiful puppies).
A puppy being looked after by his mother, shortly after delivery. We called this boy Blue.
Born blind and deaf, puppies are very vunerable for the first couple of weeks. They need to be kept warm and safe, and sometimes mum needs a helping hand.
Midnight checks are often needed, especialy in the early days.
This is blue again, the puppy in the first video being lifted by mum. He was the smallest puppy, and sometimes we had to suppliment him.
For the first two weeks the puppies are monitored 24 hours a day: we can also see the temperature of the nursery, very important as cold puppies will not survive for long.
Daily weight checks, and early socializing are part of the puppies first two weeks, but most of its time is spent with mum.
The puppies have an infra red heat source for the first few weeks: newborn puppies can not keep themselves warm. They live in their whelping box, where they are safe and all their needs are met. At this stage if they are warm and fed they are happy.
Two weeks old and Puppy and I get our first eye contact: puppies also start ‘walking’.
The early days are intensive for both Mum and us. Together we work hard to ensure the new born puppies have the very best start.
Northbrook Kennels 