Assisting the bitch

[Sidney]

I was wondering how many breeders assist you're bitch with her litter and perform such activities as opening sacs ,cutting cords, do you tie off the cord?

I'm new to breeding, only had 3 litters and I did open the sacs etc... just wondering what others do..

[neersyorkies]

I am doing the same as you, open the sac and cut the cords i try to help the mom's as much as i can and sit with her the whole time of her labor till all the babies are born and nurse well .
The first 24 to 48 hour's they stay in my bedroom to make sure everybody is O.K and doing fine then they move to the Nursery.

[bruizersmummy]

My mother is a chihuahua breeder and we do the same for her litters. We open sacs cut and tie cords(if needed), dry pup with towell and suck out the nose if needed, and make sure pup is nurseing. Puppys stay in small crate with mom untill about the 3rd or fourth day, then they move to a play pen.

[BamaFan121s]

I definately prefer to cut the cords. I'm sure that my female is capable of doing it herself, but I'd rather cross out the possiblity of over zealous chewing and umbilical hernias if I can. Other than that, I help her with anything she seems to be having trouble with or neglecting to do.

[Sugar's Mom]

some bitches may not want our help. they get frantic if we try but i always sit right in the whelping box and keep my eye on things. if mom is too slow getting the sac off, i do. if she is stretching the cord out too far, I cut it. Actually, I guess i have cut almost all of them. i suction the babies out then give them a good brisk rub with a washcloth and give them to mama. i have only had three litters but have never had a baby try to nurse while mom is in labor as some on here say the pups nurse between babies being born. i wish mine would do that but it hasn't happened yet. thankfully, mine have all whelped in a very short period.

[lisatodd]

mine always do it themselves. the sack is gone by the time i see the baby. i let nature take its course unless help is needed. i don't get in the way but i am by her side every minute. i have cut the cord if another one is coming out while she is working on the previous one. i firmly believe in letting them handle it themselves. although there is nothing wrong w helping them.

[lisatodd]

Originally Posted by Sugar's Mom

some bitches may not want our help. they get frantic if we try but i always sit right in the whelping box and keep my eye on things. if mom is too slow getting the sac off, i do. if she is stretching the cord out too far, I cut it. Actually, I guess i have cut almost all of them. i suction the babies out then give them a good brisk rub with a washcloth and give them to mama. i have only had three litters but have never had a baby try to nurse while mom is in labor as some on here say the pups nurse between babies being born. i wish mine would do that but it hasn't happened yet. thankfully, mine have all whelped in a very short period.

mine have never nursed in between babies. i know when all the babies are out b/c that is when she will start nursing them.

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

Originally Posted by lisatodd

mine always do it themselves. the sack is gone by the time i see the baby. i let nature take its course unless help is needed. i don't get in the way but i am by her side every minute. i have cut the cord if another one is coming out while she is working on the previous one. i firmly believe in letting them handle it themselves. although there is nothing wrong w helping them.

I am the exact same way...I let nature takes its course..and am by her side the whole way!