By Abhai Kaul — Von Nummer-Eins German Shepherds | VAGSD.com
Whelping is usually natural and uneventful, but every breeder, no matter how experienced, eventually faces the same terrifying moment: a puppy that gets stuck during delivery. Whether you’ve bred one litter or fifty, nothing raises your heart rate faster than a dam pushing hard with no progress.
As a German Shepherd breeder who has whelped litters for decades, I’ve learned that the key to saving lives is recognizing the type of “stuck puppy” you’re dealing with, and acting fast but correctly. This guide covers the four most common whelping complications:
- Feet-first puppy (posterior presentation)
- One-leg only (true breech)
- Hip lock (puppy stuck at the pelvis)
- Shoulder or head hang-up
These are the situations breeders encounter most. Knowing them can be the difference between panic and a safe, successful delivery.
Why Puppies Get Stuck During Whelping
In dogs, about 40% of puppies are born, at least partially, in a rear-first position, a completely normal variation. Problems arise when:
- The puppy isn’t aligned
- The dam’s pelvic opening is narrow
- The puppy is very large
- Contractions weaken
- A limb or shoulder becomes wedged
Understanding each scenario lets you respond with calm, controlled actions instead of instinctive pulling (which often makes things worse).
Scenario 1: Puppy Coming Feet First (Posterior Presentation)
feet-first puppy, stuck whelping, German Shepherd whelping help
This is the most common “scary but normal” situation. A puppy born hind-feet first is not an emergency unless progress stops.
What You’ll See
- Two hind feet emerging
- Pads pointing upward
- Tail may or may not follow
- No head yet (head comes last in this position)
What To Do
- Lubricate generously.
Coat your gloved fingers, the vulvar opening, and the visible puppy in obstetric lube. - Pull only with contractions.
When the uterus pushes, you guide.
Between contractions, apply gentle tension so the pup doesn’t slip backward. - Pull in a downward arc.
Toward the dam’s lower belly, not straight out. - If the hips catch, narrow them.
Use two fingers to gently compress the thighs inward. - Once the abdomen and chest pass, continue traction until the head clears.
When It Becomes an Emergency
- No progress in 5–10 minutes
- Only one leg appears
- Strong contractions produce zero movement
Feet-first puppies can deliver perfectly fine, but timing and traction matter.
Scenario 2: Only One Leg Visible (True Breech Emergency)
This is the one breeders dread. When a puppy presents with one hind leg only, the other leg is folded back. The pelvis cannot align with the birth canal, making progress nearly impossible without correction.
What You’ll See
- One hind leg sticking out
- No visible tail
- Dam pushing hard with no advancement
What To Do
- Do NOT pull on the single leg.
You can easily injure the puppy. - Lubricate deeply and insert two fingers gently to locate the second leg.
- Try to bring the second leg down into the canal.
- Once both legs are present, deliver like a normal posterior presentation.
When To Go to the Vet Immediately
- You cannot free the second leg
- The puppy is wedged tightly
- The dam is exhausted or trembling
This is a true emergency—every minute counts.
Scenario 3: Puppy Stuck at the Hips (Pelvic Lock)
This happens when the puppy’s pelvis is just a little wider than the dam’s pelvic inlet.
What You’ll See
- Both hind legs out
- Puppy’s groin or thighs jammed at the vulva
- No movement despite strong contractions
What To Do
- Coat the area in liberally applied lube.
- Place your index fingers on the sides of the pup’s thighs.
- Gently press inward to narrow the hips.
- During a contraction, pull in the downward arc that follows the birth canal.
When It Becomes Dangerous
- No progress after several contractions
- Puppy’s feet feel cold or purple
- Dam becomes fatigued
Pelvic lock usually resolves with technique—not force.
Scenario 4: Puppy Stuck at the Shoulders or Head
Once the hips pass, the next hurdle is the chest and shoulders, especially in large males.
What You’ll See
- Hips and abdomen out
- Chest wedged
- No head yet
- Dam pushing hard but nothing advancing
What To Do
- Add more lubrication.
- Maintain steady downward traction.
- Add a gentle side-to-side wiggle to help one shoulder clear first.
- Once the chest passes, the head usually follows immediately.
Post-Delivery Care
Posterior pups often ingest fluid, clear the airway immediately and stimulate vigorously.
Red Flags
- Puppy halfway out for more than 5 minutes
- No breathing effort once delivered
- Dam stops contracting
The Most Important Rule: Never Use Oxytocin When a Puppy Is Stuck
Oxytocin intensifies contractions.
When a puppy is stuck, this can cause:
- Fetal death
- Uterine rupture
- Placental detachment
- Extreme pain
- Exhaustion of the dam
Oxytocin should ONLY be used after obstruction is cleared—and only when dilation is confirmed.
When You Need a Vet Immediately
Call or drive immediately if:
- A puppy is stuck and unmoving for 5–10 minutes
- Only one leg is visible and cannot be corrected
- Dam is weak, panting heavily, or distressed
- There is thick dark green discharge without a puppy following
- You cannot determine the puppy’s position
You will never regret going early—you will regret going late.
Final Thoughts: Preparation Saves Lives
Whelping is a blend of instinct, technique, and timing.
The more you understand each type of dystocia, the more confident you become.
Most stuck puppies can be safely delivered when you recognize what’s happening and act with purpose.