Motherhood fast approaching...I need answers!

[Graciesmom]

Dear Emmett,

Our adorable almost 2 female is due in roughly 2 weeks. By other posts and the book I read, I think I have a pretty good idea. I'd rather be having the pups though as atleast I gave birth with no problems.

Here are a few of my concerns.

1. When do you know to intervene and actually help with a birth ? My vet is fantastic and only lives a mile away, but should he be ubavailable, our next emergency vet is 40 min. away as we live in rural Vermont.

2. I have set up a large dog crate to birth in. It will have a quilt over it to darken and hold heat, towels to cushion ect. Will this surfice, but I'm concerned about her having something to brace against to push, and maybe selfishly, I feel like i should be right there with her maybe against me to comfort her and help which I can't do in the crate. What's your read? She also seems to be scouting out under 2 of my chairs. Will she pick her own place no matter what I decide ?

3. Finally, I don't clip my dogs ears, but from what I understand it is in the dog's best interest to have their tails clipped. Is that true, and how soon does that need to take place?


Thanks for replying. I believe we are due approx. Feb.12,2010. So I need to make changes as soon as possible. Please offer any other advice. This will be our first and only litter. We are not pros and wanted the experience to breed our 2 dogs. Oh, is there any danger to the pups with the father in the house. He is our family pet/stud. Thanks

[RCC]

I'm sorry but I was out of town!  How did everything go?  Love to hear about it.

[Graciesmom]

Gracie gave birth 5 weeks ago today to 7 beautiful puppies! We had 5 females and 2 males, of which 1 male and 1 female were white, and the rest were either solid black or black with a little white on them. Grace is black and her mate is a salt and pepper. She came through the birth beautifully and all of the pups were a great size. Unfortunately, on the 10th day the female white one began to cry in pain and I could not make her comfortable. I took her to the vet but she past while we were there. I can only guess that either there was something wrong from birth that caught up  to her, or she was possibly stepped on. We were all very sad.

The remainder of our brood is thriving and we have found homes for all of them! I am happy to report that we will see them all grow up as they are all being taken by family members who are anxiously waiting for them. I was able to beat a snoe storm that gave us 4ft of snow to get their tails clipped on the 2nd day and they should be weaned by next weekend. I supplemented Grace with Tums and (cottage cheese at each meal) and she has and continues to be a great and natural mom! Nash, her mate is also a fantastic dad! This has been a great experience for my children and myself, but we will not continue to breed. I am happy for my son whose dream came true in getting a white pup when we thought it was impossible. I don't know who carries the gene but I'm glad one of them did.

Thanks for getting back to me. I'd appreciate any insight or comments you may have.

Sincerely, Gracie's Mom