stress of a terrier?

[bucknut 1]

ONE OF MY TERRIERS, A BORDER HAS HAD PUPS TWO DAYS AGO. NOW SHES A CRACKING WORKING DOG WHO I COULD NOT KEEP CALM.

 

SINCE THE PUPS SHE WILL ONLY LEAVE HER BOX TO POO, EAT AND TRY AND DIG HOLES?

 

WHATS THE DIGGING ABOUT? EVEN TRYING TO DIG IN THE KENNEL CONCRETE FLOOR FRANTIC LIKE DIGGING.

 

IS THIS STRESS OR A WAY OF WORKING OUT COZ SHES NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE?

 

THANKS FOR ANY ADVICE

 

BUCK

[donnyc 1,203]

Probably wants to move the pups mate .

[bucknut 1]

I'LL TAKE THAT ON BOARD AND MOVE THE BOX AND RAISE THE HEAT LAMP

 

CHEERS

[zoeycallie 0]

ONE OF MY TERRIERS, A BORDER HAS HAD PUPS TWO DAYS AGO. NOW SHES A CRACKING WORKING DOG WHO I COULD NOT KEEP CALM.

 

SINCE THE PUPS SHE WILL ONLY LEAVE HER BOX TO POO, EAT AND TRY AND DIG HOLES?

 

WHATS THE DIGGING ABOUT? EVEN TRYING TO DIG IN THE KENNEL CONCRETE FLOOR FRANTIC LIKE DIGGING.

 

IS THIS STRESS OR A WAY OF WORKING OUT COZ SHES NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE?

 

THANKS FOR ANY ADVICE

 

BUCK

I know they dig before having pups to ready a nest but she might not like her box or be stressed and want to move the pups for more privacy.

[bullx 12]

are you sure she has no pups left inside her,i had a lurcher bitch that acted like your terrier and went into the garden ,dug a hole and had another pup two days after she had seven pups,and all pups survived.

[Guest ripstop]

SEEMS LIKE NESTING BEHAVIOUR,OR A PHANTOM AFTER BIRTH IF SHE IS CLEAN OF PUPS THEN GIVE HER RASPBERRY LEAF , ANY BODY SAYS OTHERWISE THEN THEY MUST BE A VET GOOD LUCK RIPSTOP

[Guest ripstop]

SHE MIGHT JUST BE MAKING ROOM FOR THE PUPS, IT ISNT SERIOUS

[CHUCKY 0]

my lurcher bitch used to dig holes just before she had pups and bury food in it and when she had them she dug the food back up dont know if thats why your terrier is doing it .

[Guest flint]

Probably wants to move the pups mate .

my russell bitch took hers out the box and put em on the floor - she may be making a new bed i put loads of shavings hay and shredded paper in she soon had em sorted and settled . new mums do do some daft things she shud be fine just keep an eye on her and dont fuss over her . is she in her normal kennel or have you moved her out ? Edited January 10, 2008 by flint

[FAT CITY 0]

I would say something but it looks like you guys said it all

[skycat 6,173]

The digging thing is usually provoked by internal discomfort. Some bitches carry on doing the digging thing for up to a week after having pups as the uterus is still contracting after having stretched so much to accomodate the growing pups. Quite normal. Just provide her with some paper to shred: make sure she doesn't bury a pup then lie on it!

I wouldn't reccomend putting newborns in either shavings or hay as it can clog their nostrils and mouths. Vet Bed is the best and safest bedding to use, failing that an old blanket: just keep checking to make sure pups don't get buried under it.

 

One bitch I had wasn't happy until she had removed every bit of bedding from the kennel: I ended up nailing down a piece of carpet for the pups to lie on!

[bucknut 1]

Thanks to you all.

 

I just moved the box and lifted the lamp - everything is fine now

 

Cheers

 

Buck