Having other dogs around puppies

Question
I have mother and daughter labradors and the daughter is due to have her pups within the next few weeks. I was wondering how careful we should be with the mother [grandmother to be] around the pups? The two bitches currently share a bed and a kennel and we do plan to seperate them so that the mum-to-be has her own kennel and whelping box. Is there likely to be some conflict/jealousy and are we advised to keep them seperated until the pups are older?

Answer
Hello Lisa:

You'll probably have to judge how both dogs act once the litter is born. Definitely isolate the pregnant female during whelping & for several days afterwards, so that she has quality time & privacy to bond with her litter without interference. Once she's settled down with her new brood, see what her reaction is to the presence of her mother - if she becomes at all agitated, immediately remove her mother from the area. Two of my girls (not related) actually do extremely well with one another's puppies, even going so far as to join them in the whelping box! But this isn't usually the case & as you stated, often jealousy & conflict emerge. If both adults were to be around the puppies & the new mother became territorial & felt threatened, the puppies may be injured in the process so I'd advise to proceed cautiously. Best of luck to you!