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You can make a den for a mother dog and her puppies from a cardboard box, a children’s wading pool, or a purpose-built whelping box. Choose an option that fits the dog, lets her enter and leave safely, keeps puppies from becoming trapped against the sides, and can be kept warm, dry, and clean.
Set it up before labor in a quiet, draft-free place where you can check on the litter. A den helps with comfort and containment, but it is not a substitute for veterinary guidance during pregnancy, birth, or newborn care.
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1. Make a temporary den from a cardboard box
For a smaller dog, a large cardboard box with its top open and an entrance cut into one side can provide a simple enclosure. It needs enough room for the mother to turn and lie down comfortably, while the sides help keep newborn puppies contained. VCA describes this as an option for smaller dogs in its whelping guidance.
Cardboard is not washable and can soften when wet, so use it only if you can keep it dry and clean. Treat it as a temporary or disposable den, and replace it if it becomes damp, soiled, or damaged. Make sure the opening is accessible to the mother without creating a gap where a puppy could become stuck.
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2. Use a children’s wading pool
A plastic wading pool can work when its size, location, and storage suit the dog and household. The American Kennel Club (AKC) lists it as one possible whelping-area option, but the mother must be able to get in and out safely and still have room to move around the litter. See AKC’s overview of whelping-box options.
A pool’s open interior does not by itself protect puppies from being trapped between their mother and the edge. Add a secure puppy-protection feature, such as rails around the sides, and check that the rails cannot shift or leave hazardous gaps. The setup should contain puppies without blocking the mother or creating places where they can be pinned.
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3. Build or buy a purpose-built whelping box
A purpose-built box can be chosen for the dam’s size and may be easier to clean than cardboard. Commercial designs vary, so judge the actual box rather than relying on its product name: check its internal dimensions, entrance, materials, cleanability, and the design and placement of its pig rails (also called roll bars). AKC discusses commercial boxes and safety features in its whelping-box guidance.
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What every whelping den needs
A quiet, secure location
Place the den in a quiet, warm, dry, draft-free area where the mother can settle and you can monitor her and the puppies. Keep other dogs away; an exercise pen can provide an additional boundary. Introduce the area before labor so the mother has time to become familiar with it. AKC explains how to choose a place for a whelping box and offers broader dog-pregnancy preparation guidance.
Room for the mother and protection for puppies
The den should let the mother move around and lie down comfortably, while its sides keep puppies safely contained. Ensure she can enter and leave without difficulty. Include an appropriate pig rail or equivalent feature to reduce the risk of a puppy being pinned against a wall; inspect the whole perimeter for unsafe openings and unstable parts.
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Secure, washable bedding
Use bedding that is soft, warm, non-slip, moisture-resistant, easy to wash and disinfect, and secured so puppies cannot crawl underneath it. AKC advises against hay, straw, shavings, stiff particles, and loose blankets or carpeting: these can be unsuitable for newborns or create entanglement and hiding hazards. Newspaper can be changed quickly during delivery; afterward, use a suitable non-skid mat or whelping pad that stays in place.
How to manage warmth safely
Newborn puppies need a warm environment, but excess heat and direct contact with a heat source can also be dangerous. VCA’s whelping guidance, updated July 25, 2025, gives these environmental temperature references:
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| Stage | VCA environmental temperature reference |
|---|---|
| First four days | 85°F–90°F (29.5°C–32°C) |
| By days 7–10 | Gradually decrease to about 80°F (26.7°C) |
| By the end of week four | About 72°F (22.2°C) |
These are care recommendations, not guarantees for every litter. VCA notes that litter size affects the needed ambient temperature and that the mother’s care and room conditions matter. Ask your veterinarian what is appropriate for your dog and litter.
If you use supplemental heat, monitor the temperature and make sure puppies can move to a cooler area. Newborns may not be strong enough to move away from a heat source. AKC cautions that excessive heat and humidity can contribute to breathing difficulty and dehydration; an overheated mother may also spend less time with her puppies and produce less milk. Watch the litter rather than relying on a room reading alone. VCA guidance says: “If they are warm and content, they will be quiet and gaining weight; otherwise, they will be restless and crying.” This guidance is from VCA authors Courtney Barnes, BSc, DVM; Malcolm Weir, DVM, MSc, MPH; and Ernest Ward, DVM.
Choose by fit and care needs, not by a universal size
There is no single box size that suits every dog, and the cited guidance does not establish comparable prices for these options. Base your choice on the mother’s size, safe entry and containment, puppy-protection features, cleanability, the ability to secure suitable bedding, storage needs, and whether warmth can be monitored safely. If you are unsure whether a design or temperature plan is suitable, ask a veterinarian or experienced breeder before the litter arrives.
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