Puppy Prep: Preparing for a New Litter of Golden Retriever Puppies & My Whelping Essentials
Preparing for a new litter of Golden Retriever puppies is one of my favorite times on the farm. There’s so much anticipation that builds in the wait—equal parts excitement, responsibility, and prayerful preparation. Over the years, I’ve learned that a smooth whelping experience doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the fruit of intentional planning, quality supplies, and a calm, prepared environment for mama dog.
In this post, I’m sharing exactly how I prepare for a new litter of Golden Retriever puppies, along with my tried-and-true whelping essentials. Whether you’re a fellow breeder, planning your first litter, or simply curious about what goes on behind the scenes before puppies arrive, this guide will walk you through my full puppy prep process.
Why Puppy Prep Matters When Expecting a Golden Retriever Litter
Golden Retrievers are wonderful mothers by nature, but that doesn’t mean we should approach whelping casually. Preparing ahead of time allows me to focus fully on supporting the dam, monitoring the puppies, and staying calm if unexpected situations arise.
Proper puppy prep helps:
Reduce stress for the mother
Create a safe, sanitary environment for newborn puppies
Prevent emergencies caused by missing supplies
Allow me to focus on observation instead of scrambling
When everything is ready before labor begins, the entire experience is more peaceful—for both humans and dogs.
Preparing the Whelping Space
Choosing the Right Location
I always choose a quiet, low-traffic area of our home for whelping. Golden Retriever moms do best when they feel safe, secure, and close to their people. Thankfully we have a claimant controlled building we actually lived in while building our home. So that’s been an incredible blessing for our program as it provides the optimal environment for raising babies. The space should be:
Warm and draft-free
Easy to clean and sanitize
Away from other dogs and household chaos
Setting Up the Whelping Box
A quality whelping box is the foundation of puppy prep. I prefer a box that is:
Large enough for the dam to stretch out comfortably
Equipped with pig rails to prevent accidental crushing
Easy to sanitize between litters
We have found these garden boxes amazing for whelping, as its easy to clean and adjustable for your needs.
👉 : Whelping Box
Inside the box, I layer washable bedding that provides traction while still being gentle on newborn joints. I avoid anything too fluffy that puppies could burrow under.
My Essential Whelping Supplies List
Over time, I’ve refined my whelping kit down to items I truly use every single litter. These are non-negotiables in my puppy prep routine. Here’s a Youtube video I created also going over my whole process.
Basic Whelping Essentials
Clean towels (lots of them)
Disposable gloves
Puppy bulb syringe
Digital thermometer
Lubricant (for emergencies)
Iodine or chlorhexidine solution
Dental floss or umbilical clamps
Clean scissors
These supplies are kept together in a clearly labeled bin so I’m never searching during labor.
Temperature & Comfort Tools
Newborn Golden Retriever puppies cannot regulate their body temperature. Maintaining proper warmth is critical, especially in the first week.
I rely on:
A heating pad designed for puppies (placed under half the box)
Infrared thermometer to monitor surface temperature
Room thermometer
I always ensure puppies can crawl away from heat if needed.
Preparing the Dam for Whelping
Nutrition & Supplements
In the final weeks of pregnancy, nutrition plays a huge role in supporting healthy labor and milk production. I slowly increase calories while keeping meals balanced and easy to digest.
Some items I keep on hand:
High-quality performance dog food
Goat milk or kefir
Raw honey or Nutri-Cal (for energy during labor)
Grooming & Hygiene
About a week before the due date, I:
Trim hair around the belly and rear
Trim nails
Bathe the dam if needed
This keeps the whelping area cleaner and makes nursing easier for newborn puppies.
Emergency Preparedness (Just in Case)
Even with excellent preparation, emergencies can happen. I always have:
My vet’s after-hours number saved
A backup vehicle with a full tank of gas
Calcium supplement (used only when appropriate)
I also keep a notebook nearby to log:
Time between puppies
Birth order
Weights at birth
Placenta count
This record-keeping helps me monitor the health of both mom and puppies.
Post-Whelping Puppy Prep
Once puppies arrive, preparation doesn’t stop.
In the first 48 hours, my focus is on:
Ensuring all puppies are nursing well
Monitoring weight gain
Keeping the whelping area clean and dry
Supporting mom with hydration and nutrition
I keep puppy scales ready before labor begins.
Daily weights are one of the most important tools for catching issues early.
Final Thoughts on Preparing for a Golden Retriever Litter
Preparing for a new litter of Golden Retriever puppies is both a privilege and a responsibility. Thoughtful puppy prep allows me to serve my dogs well, steward their health responsibly, and welcome each new life with confidence and peace.
Every litter reminds me that preparation is an act of care—and, for me, an act of faith. "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established" - Proverbs 16:3
If you’re expecting a litter soon, I hope this guide helps you feel prepared, calm, and confident as you wait for those sweet puppies to arrive.
Here’s a Helpful Video
I love Dr Marty Greer and all the wisdom she has to offer! I have watched this video many times over in preparing for each litter. she also provides an amazing list of whelping supplies.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you choose to make a purchase through these links. I only recommend products I personally use, trust, and believe add value to responsible dog breeding and puppy care.
