The Science Behind the Whelping Box

The value of mentorship, the importance of science, and knowing when to reconsider what we think we know. When I first became involved in breeding Staffordshire Bull Terriers, much of what I learned came from people who had been doing it considerably longer than I had. Experienced breeders were our Read more

Natural Rearing, Responsible Intervention, and Knowing the Difference Over the years, I have become increasingly aware of how easily good intentions can lead to unnecessary intervention, particularly when it comes to breeding dogs and raising newborn puppies. We want to protect them, give them every possible advantage, and respond quickly Read more

Caring for the Mother Who Cares for Everyone Else Understanding postpartum recovery, calcium, lactation, and the importance of watching the mother as carefully as her puppies. There is something remarkable about watching a bitch become a mother. Within moments of delivery, her attention shifts from the physical demands of labor Read more

Creating a Safe, Comfortable Environment for Newborn Puppies Keeping newborn puppies warm is essential, but warmer isn’t always better. Successful temperature management means balancing the needs of the puppies with the comfort of their mother while avoiding the dangers of both chilling and overheating. To accompany our article, Warmth Before Read more

Why Temperature Matters More Than We Realize Understanding neonatal temperature, the dangers of chilling, and why keeping puppies warm involves considerably more than turning up the heat. There is something particularly comforting about a litter of newborn puppies sleeping together in a warm whelping box, tucked against their mother, occasionally Read more

Birth Weights, Growth Patterns, and the Early Warning Signs We Shouldn’t Ignore There are few pieces of equipment in a whelping room quite as unremarkable as a digital kitchen scale. It doesn’t have the sophistication of an ultrasound machine or the apparent importance of the emergency supplies we’ve carefully assembled Read more

Early Warning Signs & Emergency Response Reference Guide Newborn puppies can decline with alarming speed, and the earliest signs of trouble are not always obvious. A puppy that seems unusually quiet, nurses less enthusiastically, or fails to gain weight may be telling us something important. Recognizing those subtle changes—and knowing Read more

Looking Beyond Fading Puppy Syndrome Most experienced breeders have encountered the puppy that simply doesn’t seem to be doing quite as well as its littermates. Sometimes the difference is apparent from birth. The puppy may be smaller, less vigorous, or slower to establish nursing. Other times, everything appears perfectly normal Read more

The first 24 hours of a puppy’s life are critical, particularly when it comes to colostrum intake, early nutrition, and establishing a healthy start. Careful observation is important, but accurate records can reveal concerns that might otherwise go unnoticed. To accompany our article, The First 24 Hours: Colostrum, Immunity, and Read more

Colostrum, Immunity, and a Window We Cannot Get Back What every breeder should understand about a newborn puppy’s first and most important meal. There is something rather extraordinary about watching a newborn puppy find its way to its mother’s milk. Eyes closed, ears still developing, and only minutes into the Read more

A printable guide to keep handy When a newborn puppy struggles to breathe, every second matters. Knowing what to do, what not to do, and when to intervene can make a critical difference. Drawing upon the 2025 RECOVER neonatal resuscitation guidelines and the educational work of Dr. Emmanuel Fontaine, we’ve Read more