It's common for mothers to lie on they puppies or at least look like they are lying on them. It's an instinctive behaviour and just means the mother is trying to keep her puppies warm. This behaviour is why it's important to have a whelping box.
You can help by making sure she is has a quiet place to raise her pups, watch her carefully the first few days (and nights) and use a whelping box with rails to prevent her from accidentally laying over them.
Sitting on a baby can bring many dogs comfort and keep them warm, as well as be an instinctive habit from their puppyhood. Since dogs are born into liters it is natural for them to want to be close with other members of their pack.
Accidental Harming
Large breed dogs will sometimes lie on puppies, smothering or crushing them. If your female does not have the natural instinct to nose their puppies into the center of the whelping box before lying down, you will have to closely monitor the puppies when your female is moving around the whelping box.
If your dog is lying or sitting away from the litter for long periods, it's likely she may have rejected them. She may also show signs of stress and in some cases may physically pick up and move the puppies away from her. Another clear sign of potential rejection is if you hear excessive cries from the litter.
If there are no puppies within a few hours it is best to see your vet. They can make sure that your dog has had all their puppies or if any are stuck. They can help them deliver these puppies or do a c-section.
You should contact your vet or, out of hours, your nearest Vets Now, if your dog's labour lasts more than 24 hours, or if more than two hours pass in between puppies. This could be a sign of a serious difficulty, and both your dog and her unborn puppies could be at risk.
The first week of a puppy's life is mainly about sleeping and eating so it will grow. Puppies should remain with their mother and littermates until about age eight to 12 weeks.
According to the American Kennel Club, puppies younger than 10 weeks cannot be left alone for more than an hour. From 3-6 months, they should not be left longer than their age in months (for example, 3-month-old puppies cannot be alone for longer than 3 hours).
It's an instinctive thing, an evolutionary trait that surfaces from time to time. They'll eat a puppy when they see it as waste material. A dead puppy, or a sick one, will – in their perception - make the rest of the litter sick and / or weaken the chances of the group's survival.
If she has just given birth someone should be at home with her for at least the first few days. I would not leave mom and pups during the first week for more than 3 to 4 hours.
If the mother is still trying to care for any dead pups after a few days, be sure to remove them even if it causes the mother distress. Parasites from the decaying carcasses can be passed on to the mother and the remaining pups. If the mother or surviving pups seem ill in any way, remove the dead puppies immediately.
The ideal age to separate puppies from their mom is eight and 12 weeks. But, it is important to remember that every situation is different. In some dog family dynamics, the mom may play a more reserved role, fostering independent puppies that seem ready to sleep on their own before the eight-week minimum.
Newborn puppies should nurse at least every 2 hours for the first week or two of life. After this, they can stretch the feeding times to 3-4 hours, as long as they are still gaining weight and doing well. Once the puppies are 3 to 4 weeks old, you can begin the weaning process by giving them access to puppy food.
It is a mother dog's maternal instinct to want to protect their babies from potential threats, so they often move their puppies if they sense danger is near. They carry them in their mouths. This makes it easier for the mom to quickly scoop up multiple little pups at once and dash into hiding if necessary.
By about three weeks of age, you can—and should! —begin gently handling the puppies1 for short periods for reasons other than basic health care. Once the puppies have their eyes open, you can try carefully picking them up, holding them for a bit, and placing them back in the box.
Mother dogs do this to their puppies to stimulate urination and defecation. However, excessive licking can lead to irritation and potential infections, so it's necessary to keep an eye on it.
If you're wondering when can puppies go outside away from home, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recommends that pet guardians begin taking puppies on walks and public outings as early as one week after their first round of vaccinations, at about seven weeks old.
Newborn puppies sleep about 22 hours a day, so they're really not going to be experiencing much. They also cannot walk. They will try crawling around just a bit however they won't move far from mother at all. When not sleeping, a newborn will be eating.
Week One of a puppy's life – feed, sleep, repeat
During this first week, all their energy will be devoted to sleeping and feeding so that they gain weight and become strong. It's a busy time for human helpers with sleepless nights on the cards to ensure that puppies and mums want for nothing.
“The neonatal period from birth to 3 days of age is a critical stage for puppies,” cautions Dr. Smith.
Milk thistle is one natural supplement known to help nursing mothers with their milk-making. Other dogs benefit from taking zinc while providing for their pups. In small doses, apricot can also increase milk production. Whatever you decide, it's always best to run it by your vet before you begin supplementing.
Get help if the dog has been having contractions for over 30 minutes. If the dog has been straining or contracting for 30 minutes without giving birth, a puppy may be stuck. Your dog may need an emergency C-section.
Your Dog Should Not Go More Than 4 Hours Between Puppies
Normally we say that a dog that is having puppies should not go more than a few hours without passing the next puppy.
The best way to determine if a dog still has puppies inside her is to x-ray her abdomen. Sometimes, it is possible to palpate and feel the presence of pups, but occasionally a pup may be within the birth canal and be missed using this method.