Signs labor is close (12 to 24 hours)
- Temperature drop: rectal temperature falls below about 99°F (37.2°C), usually 12 to 24 hours before labor. Take it twice a day in the last week to know her baseline.
- Nesting: digging and shredding bedding
- Refusing food, sometimes vomiting
- Restlessness, panting, shivering, seeking you out or hiding
- Clear vaginal discharge
The three stages
- Stage 1 (6 to 12 hours, up to 24): the cervix opens. Restless, panting, nesting, no visible pushing.
- Stage 2: active straining and delivery. Puppies usually arrive 30 to 60 minutes apart, sometimes with longer rests.
- Stage 3: each placenta is passed, usually within 15 minutes of each puppy. Count them.
Call your vet if
- She strains strongly for 30 minutes with no puppy
- More than 2 hours pass between puppies and you know more are coming
- A green or black discharge appears before the first puppy
- A puppy is visibly stuck
- She is over 70 days since mating, or 24 hours after her temperature drop with no labor
- She seems very weak, trembling or collapsed
Set up beforehand
A whelping box in a quiet, warm room, clean towels, a heat source for the puppies, a thermometer, and your vet's emergency number. Estimate the date with the dog pregnancy calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does dog labor last?
Stage 1 can last 6 to 24 hours. Delivering the litter usually takes 3 to 12 hours, longer for large litters.
Should I help pull a puppy out?
Only gently, with a clean towel, if a puppy is partly out and she is pushing. If it doesn’t come easily, call your vet.