Hi guys,
my girl had her pups 5 days ago sadly we lost2 but the 4 left are doing well problem is mum is abit clueless and has to be supervised 24/7. She gets stressed when they cry and keeps picking them up and in my breed its not unknown for bitches to eat their young. I'm also not convinced shes totally tolieting them either.Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.This is her first litter.

As you say 24/7 supervision, use wet wipes to help with toileting.

Have her Calcium levels been checked as the kind of behaviour you describe can be a sign of Eclampsia.

Also is her whelping box den like or open, she may be feeling her pups are not safe and secure if it is too open.  Was the loss of the other two pups traumatic for her (were they distressed, several days old or lsot at birth?)

Is she able to hear any other dogs, which can make her want to hide them.

Otherwise sit quietly by her, put pups on the milk bar (the act of them suckling should relax her) and praise her quietly for being a clever girl.

Things will improve once pups eyes are open and they can see what's what and get out of Mums way.

Hi Claire..unusual for puppies to cry so make sure they are toileted using a circular motion with cotton wool or wet wipes  and that the whelping box is at the right temp ..as B said in her post a closed covered whelping box makes mum feel more secure making mum feel less stressed.
If you are sure she isnt showing signs of eclampsia  (worth asking for vet advice) you could try giving her some freezing cold fresh milk or ice cream to top up her sugar levels.Plus keep her fluids up.
All puppies should be supervised 24/7 for at least the first 3 wks personally if I have to leave the puppies mum comes out with me .

meant to add congratulation on your first litter..

> mum is abit clueless and has to be supervised 24/7

All bitches should be supervised 24/7 as the norm.  People are far more likely to lose pups otherwise.  Maidens often get stressed with a first litter, but if it continues, I am guessing she is upset because she isn't feeling secure and out of danger.  She will want her pups hidden from view.  So, like the others, I am wondering if her environment is enclosed enough.

CONGRATS CLAIR :)

we had our litters the same day then :) ive been help mum to toilet the pups to make sure shes doing right wet cotten wool rub their bits ,my pups cry abit and mum gets stressed too that part is normal for them i think its because their 1st time mums ,im here with mum 19h aday and sleep 5h (hubby takes over) i have 1 pup that like to climb over her neck and hide im forever fishing this pup from the back of her and mum would end up killing him if i didnt :(
sorry to hear the loss of 2 of her babbies :( ,is she drinking well and eating ,my girl isnt now she was but with everything shes been tho its knocked her back abit ,some1 eles as siad about getting her checked for eclamser (sorry about spelling!)
jo xxx

Hi guys,
she seems a bit better today and pups are content too. it has been a manic past 6 days and i can't belive they are a week old tomorrow. I  think it has been a combination of both our inexperience but between us and friends in the breed we are getting  there. she had a calcium injection the day she delivered the pups and she has collo-call d as well. don't think she is keen on the whelping box, its a linkaboard and very open although she is in a quiet room of the house. just wanted to add she has constant supervision and is never left alone with pups. her two babies we lost were born dead.

its a linkaboard and very open
Mmm I'm a fan of closed whelping boxes - I find that the bitches are much more content and settled.  Think we had this conversation before you bought it... :)

well we live and learn and others inthe breed had good experiences with linkaboard

Drape a bath sheet or a light weight blanket over the box to give her a more cosy place to nest leaving just enough room for her to leave if she wishes. You may find she is more willing to leave the box if it is more enclosed and gives her the feeling the pups are left in safety.

Can you put a table over it and then drape blankets over that to enclose it into a 'den'? She'll feel a lot more relaxed then, and the temperature will be easier to keep constant.

thanks guys i will do x

I had a disposable cardboard whelping box for Megan but she was unsettled. We made the box it was delivered in, into a lid covering 3/4 of the box and draped a blanket over the top of it. Meg instantly settled and could keep an eye on the pups and anyone getting too close from the front of the box.  I too stayed with Megan 24 hrs a day camped out in my study, it was like going back to my youth and living like a student in a bedsit. Loved it. x

> Mmm I'm a fan of closed whelping boxes

Couldn't agree more.  I know we don't all have the same experiences, but I just find bitches so much more settled if they believe they have their pups hidden from the world.  I find their whole demeanor is more settled.