[targonrotts]

i use a 4x 5 feet whelping box with no floor. the box is 12" high with a rail around it 6" all around. i use no floor in it, since i use a large thick comforter for the base, and news paper and blankets for the floor of the box.

during the actual whelp, i try to use mostly newspaper and some older blankets i don't mind throwing out after the initial mess. the first 2 days, you will have alot of cleaning in the sense of all the discharge and afterbirth. for the next 3 weeks, the dam usually does a good job, but changing the bedding depends on how much of a good job she does, and how many. but even if it looks absolutely clean, at least 2-3 times a day bedding should be changed. mother still will have a discharge that can last 4-8 weeks, and puppies do pee.

i use blankets and newspaper mix. some friends of mine get ink free newspaper. i have one friend that bought a large plastic sandbox and turned it into a whelping box. very easy to take outside and disinfect and dry and bring back in.

equipment to have- heating pad, heat lamp, puppy basket,lots of hand towels, thermometer,lube,booger baby bulb thingy,puppy milk,nursing bottle,syringes,tube for in case of emergency tube feeding, scissors,thread,scale,karo syrup.

i do not paint the whelping box. i use regular wood, 1 1/2 inch thick.

opps, gotta go to work, write more later,
good luck!