my bitch is due to whelp in next couple of days its her first litter. ive noticed she is sleeping more and has become even more pocesive of me(my other dogs arent allowed near me)she has started to pick at her food and has been in whelping box a couple of times her 63 day is tuesday so its now just a matter of waiting any tips would be appriecated .

Sounds normal so far.  Just make sure she is still eating so out come the tasty foods, they always go a bit picky towards the end.  Just watch her like a hawk as if this is her first whelp then they have a tendancy to be early by a day or two, or mine always have anyway.  Keep everything to hand, hopefully you have this week off work.  Try to get her to stay in her whelp box for longer amounts of time by taking up other beds she has access too, that way she will realise its her safe place.  Dont allow any other dogs in the whelping box.  If she is starting to become aggressive to any other dog or person make sure they dont come to close, some bitches can become a bit jackal and hyde for a few days.

And most of all enjoy the quiet it wont be that way for long.

Let us all know the outcome and good luck with the soon to be new arrivals

Emma

dont know about others here but i keep my bitch away from the other dogs at this stage she likes to be alone with me and then she feels more safe, our 1st litter came about 3days early from 1st mating and 5 from 2nd mating so yes it coulb be any day now ,she may not eat anything i offerd my girl chicken and she wouldnt even eat that and went on to have the pups about 6hours later ,so dont worry if she refuses nice food could be the start of the puppies coming :) good look please keep us posted x

Try and offer her anything and everything, but i wouldnt worry, my bitch did all of that 2 days before having the puppies, and she would only eat chicken and ham... but only if i had warmed it up (i did try everyhing haha)

im sure once the puppies are out she will get her appetite back, pile on the food when they are here so she has enough milk =]

my  first timers usually whelp at 59 days. so good luck. cheese is a great tempter!!!

try a bit of mince or a scrambled egg as long as she is drinking plenty dont worry.

my girl lays next to me at this stage and I find it difficult to go anywhere in the house without her, they have that pleading look of 'dont leave me' get all your shopping in and prepare to be house bound for a few days! looks like puppies will soon arrive so go with her to toilet just to be safe.

good luck

Roni

hi thank you for all your replies. im offering her chicken etc by hand and she will eat that way. ive got everything to hand that i may need. there is lots of movement from pups visually not just by feeling them shes looking really fed up now so hopefully wont be long. i will post as soon as any news thanks again nikki xx

Good luck with your litter Nikki, i wouldnt worry to much about her not eating at this stage, sounds like the puppies wont be long away now.

Good luck, keep us posted!!