Our question this week was:

Dr. Jon - My husky gave birth 3 days ago. Well today I caught her moving them. I had her in my shed with the doors opened. What can I do to make her understand to leave the puppies there? Where it is safer than where I caught her bringing them?

Missy Terrell

Answer

Hi Missy– thanks for your email. It is natural for a dog to move their puppies – especially if they feel unsafe or bothered in their current location. Many pet owners create a whelping box and encourage them to have and nurse their puppies in one room of the home where she and the pups can be monitored. In my opinion, that is the ideal situation. If she is free to move the puppies anywhere – it will be hard for you to control that location. As far as if it is safer – I don't really know. Depends on how safe it was where they were and how safe it is where she is taking them.

As an alternative, you can carefully gather up all the pups and take her and the pups in the house.

A couple articles that might be helpful to you are How to Build a Whelping Box for Your Dog, Care of the New Mother Dog and Pregnancy, Birthing and Newborn Puppy Care.


Best of luck!


Dr. Jon





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