I think it was to give the expectant Daddy something to do while his wife was having the kid!? LOL
Yesterday I told my husband "Boil some water!" and he was like "I'm not boiling anything!" His theory is, dogs do it all the time, she'll be fine
I'm kind of middle of the road. The ones I've had at the shelter before always did OK (I'd come in to work and voila! There were puppies) but we fostered a few that had some minor complications, not to the point they needed a vet but definately it helped to BE THERE with them when they were in labor!
I have successfully resuscitated a puppy once but it has been a few years...
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.