Opinions on the amount of heat needed varies widely; I'm not sure my method
is the right one, but it seems to work for me.
I do not routinely use heat after the first 48 hours or so; the dam usually
stays with them and keeps them warm." ... from Leanne
I am sure Leanne is correct and that heat is not needed (thought I do believe very
important for at least the first week and less the 2nd) but I still like for them to
have it because even the mother stays on the nest when she could easily get off. It
is just slightly warm, as though a puppy were in the palm of your hand (less actually,
since your body is 98.6) Unlike a heatlamp, or a hot room, with the whelping nest the
room temperature is to be kept at a comfortable 70 degrees.
I am not sure why Leanne puts a pad on top of the crate, inside the whelping box for
the mother. My mothers are free to come and go as they like, and still spend 95% of
their time in the box with the babies til at least 3 or 4 weeks old. Even then they
spend 75% of their time with the babies. At about 4 weeks old I move them all into
the kitchen so they can be part of all the activity in the house (but from day one my
other dogs are allowed to sniff and explore the puppies, in fact they are encouraged
to do so.) I think it helps with the puppies socialization and gives them all the
feeling that we share everything in our house.
Phyllis
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