we are so excited in about 12 days time we should have our first litter in over 5 years, we have been putting the bitch in her whelping box she is not amused we put her in and she goes i do not think so and tries to jump out, she is still going for her walks but they are now a little bit shorter than she normally goes, and she is getting tired quicker than normal, and she makes me laugh she still takes a run and jump at the sofa and gets on and the look of glee on her face, but sometimes she forgets she is pregnant and tries to jump on the sofa from being right underneath it and looks puzzled just when her front legs get on and we have to heave her up, she is loving the extra meals the other dogs looked so puzzled when she gets extra and they do not.

Exciting times for you, good luck with everything. I really hope it goes well for you.

We are still waiting to see if our bitch has taken or not, the waiting is killing us :-)

I found my girls were not amused at being put in the whelping box on their own so would leave it up to them, as the time got near and I would be pottering around upstairs they would take themselves off and be found napping in there, I would also leave them there over night for the last week and sleep in that bedroom too.

There are some bitches who flatly refuse to whelp in the whelping box and prefer your bed or the sofa, just in case this was to happen to me I buy a supply of ASDA's value range of shower curtains to protect the furnishings, they make ideal carpet protectors for when the pups have more freedom or under the puppy pen.

Here's to a safe and healthy whelping.

Like Rhodach, my girls rarely want to use a whelping box.  I tend to let them have pups where they decide (within reason) because, as soon as whelping is over, I put pups in the whelping box, and mum will happily settle down in it.

Great tip about the cheapo shower curtains Rhodach.  Has been noted for future reference!  :-)

Another vote for ASDA cheapo shower curtains here too :-)

Also cheap & excellent 'dust' sheets when decorating :-D

shower curtain idea brilliant we usually use a taupalin in the puppy pen covered with newspapers once the little ones are up and about

My friend recommended Homebase polythene dust sheets for the same purpose. £5 for a pack of 3, each 12' x 12'

ASDA 's shower curtains cost £0.79 - £1.00, I buy a few when they are at their lowest price.

Great suggestion about the shower curtains, although our whelping box was 5' x 4' and we purchased a cheap offcut of lino to put under it for around £10. This worked great and once disinfected can be used again should we have another litter.

Lino is fine for some uses but the sh/curtains can cover your bed,sofa or any other furnishings quickly if the needs arise.

I have my girls in bed with me if they don't settle in the whelping box at night, the curtain, wee pads and vet bed on top copes with any leakage, normally they sleep through, being close to me I would be aware of any restlessness and act on it.

What a fab idea, i usually use lino but the shower curtain suggestion sounds great.

I think like with the paddling pool idea it is rather breed dependent, mien would make pretty short work of shower curtains (Mums and pups once mobile).

three boys and two girls mum and pups doing very well

Congrats!

Congratulations on the new arrivals