My  bitch is in day 59 and doing amazingly well despite being obviously quite uncomfortable! I am a first timer at this, as is she. The only thing I'm slightly concerned about is that she has shown no interest in her whelping box at all. I have tried everything - familiar toys, bedding she has slept on and feeding her occasionally in there. She likes to be 'under' furniture at the moment so I've created a blanket lid on the box and a also couple of other little dens around the kitchen/living space which she is used to being in with us for most of her day. She is very attached to me and I plan to stay with her at all times from now until well after the pups are born. Do you have any advice on how to encourage her into her box? She is also digging holes under a bush in the garden - which I know is a primal instinct and is regarded as quite normal in some cases. I would just like to encourage her to have her babies indoors!! Any advice would be much appreciated!

Hi Carole.  I've replied on my original thread where you posted but just thought I'd add.  Once in labour you may find she asks to go in the garden every 5 mins.  If you think labour has established go with her especially if she's constantly digging. Just in case.  And with a torch and if necessary on a long lead.  It's unlikely she will birth outside especially if she wants to be close to you but it's not unknown.  Don't restrict her going out though.  I'm a human midwife and the hormones are the same.  Follow her lead.  Adrenaline blocks oxytocin and labour so the more she can follow her instincts and feel safe the better.

Give more blankets and/or plenty of paper to dig in and tear at -she will naturally seek out spots where she can dig and she will want to tear with her mouth as well. Restrict access to one room only so that her best option is the whelping box in that room. Even bitches that have never had pups before tend to understand what the box is for and go to it once things start, even if they have ignored it before.

I've copied my other post over. I'm sure there'll be lots of more experienced people to comment but here's my 2p.  My girl wasn't particularly interested either.  She did sit in it a few times before the event but wasn't really bothered. I didn't see much nesting behaviour either though.  During labour she still didn't bother much as she was so restless.  Once she was well established she jumped on my knee in a bit of a panic pushing and I thought she was going to birth on my knee.  She did though get into the box of her own accord about ten minutes before the first pup and then stayed there until the end so as long as you stay right there for reassurance she will probably choose the box.  I think though that I wouldn't give her any options for a den elsewhere since you'll need to be able to see the pups clearly for quick headcount and if she births elsewhere she may not be happy with moving to the box afterwards. If you've read the rest you'll know that she then decided to vacate to the settee pups and all.  It took the next 24hrs to get them all safely settled back in the box.  I am pleased to report that all six are doing fantastic.  She has been a brilliant mum.  We've chosen our keeper and three others have homes lined up so far.  It's been fun and now verging on chaos with our crazy baby dog gang.  I slept right beside them for the first week with regular toilet wake up taps from mum.

Thank you all so much! She seems more clingy and wanting to stay indoors today. I have put lots of blankets and some newspaper around the kitchen-living area and will stay with her all day as I have been doing. I totally get the not interrupting her instinctive needs so we have fenced off the inaccessible (to us) shrubs under which she has been digging but she still has lots of other beds she can dig away in where we can see her. I am very reassured by all your comments - especially Huga - thank you all so much!