Invite-only research study
Can video spot the signs of labor?
We're studying how video can help identify the early signs of labor in dogs, recognize birth events, and better understand when a mother or her puppies may need attention.
Apply to take part How it works
Our goal is to advance research toward earlier detection and safer whelping.
- Labor SignsStudying behavioral changes before birth.
- ContractionsStudying visible pushing patterns and duration.
- Birth EventsStudying how to identify and timestamp deliveries.
- Puppy ActivityStudying newborn movement and behavior.
- Early WarningsStudying signs that may indicate a need for intervention.
Your footage contributes to educational research
By sharing footage from before and during whelping, you can help us understand how labor differs across breeds and contribute to research that may improve future monitoring technology.
How it works
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Apply, or be invited
The study is by invitation. If we have not reached out to you, tell us about your program. Every application is read by a person, and participants are carefully hand-selected.
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Share videos you already have
Phone or camera videos from the hours before and during whelping, from your next litter or from past ones. No special equipment is needed.
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We study what labor looks like
We look at what the hours before birth look like across breeds, and aim to publish what we find to help advance research in whelping video detection.
What footage are we looking for?
- BeforeThe 24 hours before labor
- DuringThe birth itself
- AfterThe hours immediately afterward
The most valuable footage captures the 24 hours before labor, the birth itself, and the hours immediately afterward. Ideally, we receive a continuous recording that helps us study changes in behavior leading up to delivery.
A fixed camera with a clear view of the mother is ideal, but phone videos and shorter recordings are welcome too. Videos from past litters are just as valuable.
No special equipment is required. Even if you only captured part of a whelping, your footage may help our research.
Who we are looking for
- Dog programs that are expecting a litter and are open to filming it
- Dog programs with videos from before or during past whelpings
- Programs raising any breed: we are studying labor across breeds
What stays yours
- Your videos stay yours. We never sell original footage.
- We are happy to credit your program by name if we use your videos and you agree.
- Taking part is voluntary, and you can stop at any time.
Questions dog programs ask
Can anyone take part?
Yes, any dog program can apply. We review each application individually, so we cannot offer a place to everyone.
Do I need special cameras?
No. Phone videos are what we ask for, and videos from a camera you already use in your whelping area are welcome too.
What happens to my videos?
They stay yours. We use them for the research described on this page and never sell original footage. The details are in our Privacy Policy.
Will my program be named?
Only if we use your videos and you agree. We are happy to credit programs by name.
How will you contact me?
By email, or by text if you ask for texts when you apply. You can stop the texts at any time by replying STOP.
Who is conducting the research?
Whelping.Org is an independent research project led by a UC Irvine graduate with a background in business and technology projects.
Our research combines human review with computer-vision analysis. We study observable behaviors, identify important events during labor and birth, and explore whether software can recognize patterns across different dogs and breeds.
Our goal is to make our findings publicly available through Whelping.Org and pursue opportunities for formal scientific publication.
The project is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by UC Irvine.
Expecting a litter, or have videos from a past one?
Your footage can contribute to research toward earlier detection and safer whelping. Applying takes a couple of minutes and does not commit you to anything.