A vet will be coming to our house to do this (have already found someone, as I was worried it would be difficult!).  I'm glad that the vet wants to come to our house on the one hand, as it means I don't have to take pups to where other dogs are (vets) and they will most quickly be returned to mum - but I'm not sure where it is best to put mum during the procedure?

Will she be very distressed and upset for me to take a pup and hand it to the vet for the procedure, with her in the same room?  I could shut her in another room, but I really think that she will hear her puppies squealing whichever room I shut her in, and I would hate for her to feel shut away and to hear them like that and not be able to get to them.  I have thought about putting her in the car, once the vet has met her, and bringing her back in after it is finished?

Just wondering what others do?  Thx.

I always have the vet come to me for dew claws (hind legs only...no docking) But I am such a softie that I always make sure she brings a nurse and OH is home. Me and Mum get in the car and go for a ride...well away from squeeky pups. I take my mobile and they ring me once it's done. Then I bring Mum home and so far I have never had one bat an eyelid. They just go in with pups and give them all a drink.
I think it's better for Mum's feelings.
Aileen

Used to take bitch away whilst mum did dew claws but we changed and leave bitch where she is with pups and take one pup away at a time, once done the pup is returned to bitch & goes straight on the milk bar which stops it from moving about.

When I used to dock and get it done at home, someone took Mum for a walk whilst it was caried out. She was glad of the "me" time.
Diane

My vet  used to insist mum was put in the garden, there was no way she would go any further 3 days after whelping, but used to go absolutely mad, crying to get back in

i would let my bitch go out in the garden while its being done :)

When we could still dock, as I always 'banded', there was never a need to remove mum from the room. Even now when I do dew claws (with the help of a friend), mum stays and the pups are kept in her eyesight and immediately return to the milk bar with no ill effects.

I used to take my pups to the vets to have their dewclaws removed with Mum & leave her in the car, bringing her in for a checkup after the pups had been done. One pup yelled like a stuck pig, Mum heard & was so agitated when we went to bring her in, she jumped out of the car so far & so fast she slipped, landed on her head and knocked herself out !!
(Thankfully, she was fine after a few minutes)

I just make sure I have someone else around so they can take the bitch out of the room. The pups do squeak a bit and it saves the mother being too distressed if she is taken away for a short time.

Thanks everyone.  I think maybe a short car-ride or walk would be best for us.

Just so I have some idea of how long I'll have to stay away for - roughly how long does it take?  Let's say to dock and dew-claw a litter of 8?