Your dog's pregnant. Maybe you planned this—selected the perfect stud, tracked her heat cycle, timed everything precisely. Or maybe surprise doesn't even begin to cover it. Either way, here you are, about two months from a houseful of puppies.
Here's what nobody mentions enough: even experienced breeders get nervous before whelping day. That's normal. What helps? Actually knowing what's coming and when to expect it.
The first month? Your dog basically looks and acts completely normal. Pregnancy stays hidden way longer than most people expect.
Early Signs (Weeks 1-3)
Week one and two look identical to any other week. The fertilized eggs float through her reproductive system, eventually attaching to the uterine wall around day twelve or thirteen. She won't show this, though she might sleep more than usual. That hyperactive Australian Shepherd who normally demands three walks daily? She's suddenly content with one short stroll before flopping onto her bed for a three-hour nap.
Morning sickness happens, but not to every dog. Studies suggest roughly thirty to thirty-five percent of pregnant females experience nausea. Week three through early week four brings occasional vomiting or skipped meals if she's affected. Good news: this doesn't linger for months like human morning sickness. Most dogs feel normal again within seven to ten days.
Watch her behavior shift before her body changes. Some dogs become Velcro pets—your independent ...