I am always on the look out for items that could be used for my dogs but weren't designed for that,[used a tray for potting up plants for my first litter] saw these, I have several of the deeper versions but never seen a shallow one before

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rainbow-Trugs-Flexible-Large-Shallow-25-Litre-Dish-Plastic-Sand-or-Ball-Pit-/360483080586?pt=UK_Toys_Games_Outdoor_Toys_ET&var=&hash=item53ee77498a

Being circular there are no corners for pups to get stuck in, diameter of 19.75" is more than enough for one of my mini dachsie girls to stretch out in,not that they lie out straight that often.

Larger version 23" wide
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Faulks-GF3169R-Shallow-Tubtrug-35lt/dp/B001CCYBP0/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347880803&sr=8-2-fkmr2

Ive recently bought one for my puppy because the weather had been really warm so I put water in it and she thought it was great. Not to deep and she can't puncture it so made ideal paddling pool. 

Doesn't every breeder have a selection of trugs? Essential in my puppy kit :-)

I have a smaller trug for weighing pups in (once they get beyond 5 weeks of age), it's also very useful for carting essentials for when worming. I also have one of these with a section cut out ... this then becomes a swing!

A big trug for transporting puppies in, whether from upstairs to downstairs, or house to vehicle ... once the pups have been moved to their destination the Trug Transporter then converts nicely into the Puppy Den - placed on it's side, with a nice fluffy cushion inside it's the preferred sleeping place for my pups!

Then one of these lovely shallow trugs. They're very special ... they're the puppy paddling pool!! They're also used for the ball pit, and ... they also become a favourite sleeping place, normally open air. The pups like to see how many they can squeeze in.

Trugs are a must have as far as I'm concerned :-D

Re the potting up tray ... I bought one this year. That was intended to be one of my litter trays ... it became another favourite sleeping place instead! Then turned upside down it becomes a slide!!  I use grow bag trays for my litter trays now - which I have to say, also get slept in. ;-)

I just love having a litter of puppies :-D

Oh Rhodach I'm laughing because I have never thought about using them for that!  :-)

I use the shallow ones for keeping toys in!  The Collies were fine with a high toy box, but the shallow trugs are ace for the toy breeds.  All my dogs have soft toys, I won't buy plastic squeakers, but I often find a Chi asleep on the top of a trug, it makes a nice soft cosy bed when filled with soft toys.  I always have one around for throwing recreational bones in too.  I have one or two Chihuahuas that won't even go out for a wee without a bone in their mouths!  :-)

This is almost exactly what I use. I use a very large pink apple sandpit from Argos, cheap as chips and easy to clean. No corners, large enough for my bitch and the heat pad, and the curves of the top of the apple are perfect fit for her body when she's laid down so she can nurse and feed comfortably. I put that inside a very large inflatable swimming pool that I sit in and put food, bedding, etc. for her in so she can get away from the pups without being too far in case they cry for her. Found it perfect last litter and will never buy a whelping box now!

I will have to get the Trugs I have out in the garage/garden brought in next time I have a litter, sounds like a good time could be had by all.

Beth it was paddling pools I was looking at when the shallow trug appeared in the list.

It's not for litters but I use trugs as toy boxes.  My youngest dogs favourite 'toy' as a pup was a nylabone ring on the end of a piece of cord that got hooked through the trug handle on the way out - he spent hours dashing through the house, bucket an all, scooping up the unwary and bashing the furniture - bliss!!

I use a large potting tray as a hibiscrub foot bath as one of mine gets itchy paws if I don't clean off the mud when we get back from a walk and the other currently has problem nails

I think there are a lot of good ideas/equipment for dogs if you look around aren't there.  If you want a more heavyweight trug try the recycled ones (usualy made from tyres) used for horse feed and water so very hard wearing.  Next time I get to Mole Valley Farmers I'm picking up one of these - they were out of stock last I was there