Hi!
My shnauzer dog was in heat a couple months ago, and was outside when another shnauzer just showed up in our yard and they started well, going at it haha. Meanwhile, she's pregnant, and today is her 62nd day . Technically, she should give birth tomorrow, but I won't be home all day. She's been scratching things like blankets and the carpet, and I really want her to have the puppies today so I'm with her! Does anyone know a sure sign that a dog's in labor? Thanks so much!

You have had 62 days to get some books and do some reading.

I've been reading and my husband and I are totally prepared for this. Our vet knows, and we have her bed set up, it's not like we're total hicks and just let our dogs get knocked up. I know that when she does a lot of digging that could mean she's ready, but she's been digging at things for days, and she has been eatiing, so I'm not sure if she's ready. I was just wondering if anyone knew some "sure" signs that she was in labor.

When our dog was nearly ready to have her puppies she started scratching at things try to get comfy I guess so I don't think she's that far away

How is you dog going? Has she had her puppies yet?

She did! I'm so excited for her, she's such a good mommy! She went into labor at 2 am this morning, and the ultrasound said she's have 3-4 puppies, and what a surprise to us when she had six! We're so excited, they're so darling!

Oh wow that's awesome congratulations :)

Considering that we slaughter millions of dogs a year here for lack of homes, somehow takes the edge off my joy. No real dog lover lets accidental breeding happen.

What's your problem!!

sarah1989 -- If you volunteered in a dog or cat shelter and saw all the homeless animals, or better yet, worked in a county animal control center and was responsible for euthanizing hundreds of cute and affectionate dogs and cats every week, you wouldn't ask, "whats your problem!!!!" A responsible pet owner doesn't allow uncontrolled breeding and will get his animals neutered.

It is quite possible in Tasmania that you don't have the serious problem we have here with too many dogs and cats. Yet people go on breeding them. There are different reasons, greed is behind much of it, ignorance, a selfish desire for vicarious motherhood, etc. They often use totally unsuited breeding stock that pass on physical or temperamental problems. They give the puppies very poor care, often cooping the mother and puppies up where they have to live in their filth until the puppies lose their instinct for cleanness. This leads to endless misery. Starting with housebreaking made almost impossible. Often the puppies are exposed to disease and die shortly after going to their new home despite running up a huge vet bill. Those that survive continue to have physical problems and many display personality problems such as fear and aggression. It is also very important to socialize the puppies before they are 7-8 weeks old and ready to go to their homes. It is even more important that they are socialized properly before they are 12 weeks old.

I spend hours every day here and elsewhere helping people cope with crappy puppies bred by people that either don't know how to do it right or just don't care for whatever selfish reasons. Others work at rehabilitating dogs their new owners couldn't cope with. So it is quite difficult for those that are struggling to reduce the misery to be thrilled by those adding to it. I would guess I average seeing 2 questions a day from totally clueless people that have no business breeding dogs. I am sick of it.

If anybody can't see what I am saying, go to Woodhaven Labradors Articles (http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/articles.html#breeding) Quality breeding can be done. I am part of a program that breeds 300-400 puppies a year. All but a few of them are physically and tempermentally sound. It has been years since any of the dozens a year I know were rejected for bad hips.

Considering that we slaughter millions of dogs a year here for lack of homes, somehow takes the edge off my joy. No real dog lover lets accidental breeding happen.

I'm with labman 100%. If there's one thing I'm passionate about, it's saving the lives of innocent, helpless animals being destroyed at the hands of irresponsible, selfish human beings. Your dog should've been spayed. If that was too much to ask of you, then you shouldn't have gotten a dog in the first place. What will come of your puppies? Are you able to raise them right and administer all their vaccines and wormings? Then can you carefully screen the new homes they go to? And who's to say they don't end up like the dog in the story 'How could you' so kindly posted earlier. If you haven't read it, I suggest you do. Please excuse my harshness but this one touched a nerve. My apologies.

They still don't have to be so rude about it!!
Its not like it was her fault her dog got pregnant and maybe she didn't want to get her dog fixed maybe she wanted to have puppies one day or maybe she didn't have the money don't judge people and what you don't know

Oh come on now. She let a female in season out by itself. Creating problems for others to fix that way is more than rude.

shoegal
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 124


Pregnant Dog

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Hi!
My shnauzer dog was in heat a couple months ago, and was outside when another shnauzer just showed up in our yard and they started well, going at it haha.

Her first line lead me to believe that this was a purposeful breeding. I think she just wanted a rise out of people.

Like you going to keep you eye on your dog 24-7 when there out going to the toilet or whatnot

Preventing accidental breedings is one of the obligations of keeping an intact dog.

like you going to keep you eye on your dog 24-7 when there out going to the toilet or whatnot
Sarah, things may be different in Tasmania, but in the U.S. most municipalities have very strict leash laws. So yes, here you are expected to know where your dog is at all times.


they stil dont have to be so rude about it!!!
its not like it was her fault her dog got pregnant and maybe she didnt want to get her dog fixed maybe she wanted to have puppies one day or maybe she didnt have the money dont judge people and what you dont know
As bushg pointed out, in shoegal's response she appeared to find it funny or wanted her dog to be mated. There are quite a number of us here who do rescue work and we are the ones who have to deal with the result of an "accidental" breeding. There are no accidents when it comes to breeding. "Accidents" are due to either the negligence or purposeful act of the individual involved. Shoegal will be charging people to purchase those puppies as a way to make extra money. Cute puppies grow into adult dogs. There are no guarantees that the people purchasing the pups will keep those dogs for their entire lives. We have a huge problem in the U.S. with an overpopulation of unwanted dogs & cats. What do you do with them? There aren't enough homes to go around so many are euthanized. I, and others here, must participate in the euthanization of dogs & cats that are no longer wanted by those people who purchase the cute puppies and kittens that they do not want to care for anymore. It is a terrible and depressing job, but I would rather be there to make sure that someone cares enough to pet and talk to the animal while they slip away into a forced death. It is the last compassionate act that we can give to an animal that never deserved to be abandoned. THAT is the crux of why shoegal is receiving the response to her breeding question that she is. It may help you to understand how we feel if you just spent one day in a shelter or rescue operation and see all these animals that have been thrown away by their owners through no fault of their own. I think people need to see the result of their actions to fully understand and appreciate our feelings on the subject. Rudeness, in this sense, is subjective.

they stil dont have to be so rude about it!!!
its not like it was her fault her dog got pregnant and maybe she didnt want to get her dog fixed maybe she wanted to have puppies one day or maybe she didnt have the money dont judge people and what you dont know

It is her fault the dog got pregnant. She is fully responsible. If she's using the 'I don't have the money to get her fixed' excuse then she surly doesn't have the money to responsibly raise a litter of healthy puppies. It's not cheap. And if she wanted puppies someday, then she should have gone about it a better way. Breeding is a science. The goal is to improve the breed, which entails knowing the history of each parent, and understanding the genetics of the dogs. It's not OK to just 'want one litter' of puppies. I feel that several people in this thread have earned the right to be rude and judgemental about these types of situations. When is the last time you volunteered at a kill shelter? Perhaps you never have. Rubypitbull is right. It's these so called accidental breedings that are a huge part of our overpopulation problem. It really is a shame. People who allow accidental breedings to happen are either very uneducated or just plain ignorant.

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if rather than an ''accident'', it was an intentional evasion of a stud fee. Hummmmmmmmm, How much checking went into checking the male for possiblegenetic defects and assuring genetic diversity?

Labman makes a good point. What a colossal coincidence that the other dog that just 'happened' to show up in her yard also just 'happened' to be a schnauzer! What a lucky gal!

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if rather than an ''accident'', it was an intentional evasion of a stud fee. Hummmmmmmmm, How much checking went into checking the male for possiblegenetic defects and assuring genetic diversity?

Funny that is exactly what I was thinking as I was reading the first couple of pages of this. It is awfully convienent that things "just happened"!

Wow labman, that is truly harsh and you do not need to get on my case for my dog's accidental pregnancy. We were not planning on breeding our dog, and we did not know this dog was outside, that's truly truly horrible you would accuse me of doing that to my dog. I did not want her to get pregnant, for she was only 7 months old! I planned to breed her at two years old, this was not on purpose! Sarah1989, thanks for defending me when I didn't see what people were writing, you're a doll :)
Anyway, we live out in the country, so leash laws really don't matter there, as there's really no one else around, and my dog would never run away. I was outside with her, she ran to the back of the house, so what? No one was around, I wasn't even worried because there's really no other dogs around, but somehow, another shnauzer must have smelled her or something, and ended up in our backyard! Two of the puppies are already called for, and these dogs are going to a good home, as their parents are pedigreed and papered. They're not mutts. So please stop harassing me and go nag someone who cares, or who actually deserves to be nagged. Have a lovely day labman. :)

Hi!
My shnauzer dog was in heat a couple months ago, and was outside when another shnauzer just showed up in our yard and they started well, going at it haha. Meanwhile, she's pregnant, and today is her 62nd day . Technically, she should give birth tomorrow, but I won't be home all day. She's been scratching things like blankets and the carpet, and I really want her to have the puppies today so I'm with her! Does anyone know a sure sign that a dog's in labor? Thanks so much!!
Hi.. my Golden Retreiver just had her litter yeterda.Look out for heavy panting,restlessness,maybe digging.You'll see a greeny-blacky discharge come out of her,when that comes well you're dogs going to be a mum any time. HOPE THAT HELPS!

hi..my Golden Retreiver just had her litter yeterda.Look out for heavy panting,restlessness,maybe digging.You'll see a greeny-blacky discharge come out of her,when that comes well you're dogs gonna be a mum any time. HOPE THAT HELPS!

Ummm, did you read the whole post? It already happened.

anyway, we live out in the country, so leash laws really don't matter there, as there's really no one else around, and my dog would never run away. Two of the puppies are already called for, and these dogs are going to a good home, as their parents are pedigreed and papered. They're not mutts.
I live out in the country too, my closest neighbor is a quarter of a mile away, and there are still leash laws. Take a look at your local newpaper's classifieds for lost & found pets. Take a look at your regional shelters & rescues and see how many dogs are there because they were found wandering around.

Thanks for your concern about the mutts. I will remember it next time I have to help out with euthanizing one. I will definitely remember it next time I have to put down a pure bred schnauzer.

By the way, this is the post that Katie was referring to earlier. It is worth reading. https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/how-could-you-dogs-perspective-128208.html

Give it up already we already know what you all think and I don't really care.
Like it's the law to have your dog on a leash at your own house.
I don't see how people can be so rude towards other people.

Ok, I'm almost shaking after what you guys are saying about me. Do you want to bring me to tears? I'm someone who loves my two dogs, and one being a mutt, I have nothing against that. I'm not someone who would do that to make a quick buck. I did not want puppies, and for you to say that I was using the dog for a free stud, and that I was irresponsible, is like saying I'm a bad mother, and how dare you. I am not irresponsible, and I am not a person who cheats people for money. It's as simple as this: I let my dog out, she went in the backyard where I couldn't see her, I followed her, I see her tied with another dog, I freak out, and realize there's nothing I can do but let them continue their thing. You people seem to get off by making me feel as bad as possible. Obviously It's an unbelievable coincidence that it was a schnauzer, (not that they're bad), but my family likes to see it as my mother (who recently passed away) having a good sense of humor. The puppies were unexpected, but you know what, it happened. I'm a good dog owner. None of these dogs are going to shelters, actually one is already called for and more are interested. So if you think I'm just getting rid of these dogs, NO WAY, I'm giving one to the stud owner, who apologized after her dog escaped while she was watching it for her daughter, and the rest will be sold, and I'm donating the money to our local humane society. So stop judging me, I'm doing the right thing here, I could just take them to a shelter and let them be euthanized. BUT THAT'S NOT WHO I AM PEOPLE, so stop acting like vultures and just understand the situation.

I also forgot to mention, the reason my dog was not spayed is because I was planning on breeding her when she was older than two! So I'm not irresponsible, and yes the puppies are getting all they're shots and vet checkups. Sheesh people.

:) well said these people have no right to say what they have been saying...
It would be a different story all together if it had of been them...
Good luck with the puppies :)
Xx

Thank you so much sarah. You truly are an angel for being so nice! You don't find many people like you these days, thanks for sticking up for me! I wish you the best of luck! :)

That's okay like I said any time :)

shoegal disagrees: I love mutts, I have one, nothing against them, but more people are willing to buy purebreads, hence, them being sold and not going to shelters.


I am sorry shoegal but your statement is not true. I work with a Daschunds rescue group whose sole reason for being in operation is stop the euthination of pure breed doxies who are placed into shelters. A close friend of mine just adopted a pure breed yellow lab (Sophie) from a shelter near my hometown. If she had not done that Sophie would have eventually been put to sleep. There are many many pure breed dogs that are killed every day because there is no family to love them. Unfortunately there are a lot of dogs (purebreed or mix breed) that need love, and not enough families to give it.

I would be concerned about the mother's health in this case. She is still a puppy herself.

Well, said Tuscany. Have to spread it.

Shoegal & Sarah, you are both living in a naïve and selfish bubble. Where I live most of the dogs found at the few rescues in my area are purebreds. I have seen some very expensive dogs just dumped. People will purchase dogs from backyard breeders like you, and from pet stores. They love puppies & kittens. How can you not? Then due to either lack of training, the inconvenience, the responsibility, and a myriad of other reasons, when a puppy grows into an adult dog, they will dump them. I have met people who just love puppies & kittens and will dumping them when they aren't cute any more so they can buy a new puppy or kitten! It is a sickness. Sometimes, people open their car doors and leave a dog in someone else's yard, or they tie them to a fence at one of the rescues in the middle of the night, or they just let them wander out of their yard and don't bother looking for them. There are all sorts of devious ways to get rid of a dog they no longer want. Those dogs that are found alive are picked up by someone like me. Found ads are run in the local newspapers. 9 times out of 10, there are no responses. CAN YOU BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT THE PEOPLE WHO YOU SELL YOUR PUPPIES TO WILL KEEP THEM THEIR ENTIRE LIVES AND GIVE THEM THE PROPER CARE? Unless you see those dogs on a regular basis, you cannot be certain. AND, that is the crux of what I am trying to say to you here. Your puppies are not immune to being one of those purebreds that are found in shelters.

I had no intention of responding to your initial question due to my personal beliefs. But due to the two of you defending this, I couldn't keep quiet. You are both very naive. You think that you aren't adding to the problem. That is what all irresponsible breeders say. We have a major crisis in this country and you are turning a blind eye to it. If you purchased your dog from a pet shop or somewhere in the lineage of your dog the parentage was purchased in this way, and it most likely was, the original dog was a reject from a breeder or a product of a puppy mill. Start doing some research. Both of those sources perpetuate the genetic problems that have grown to be associated with purebreds in this country. Just because you have "papers" does not mean your dog is a high quality dog. Responsible breeders DO NOT allow accidental breedings to occur. They are planned. Instead of breaking up the two dogs that were mating, you allowed it to continue. As Katieperez stated, responsible breeding is a science. If you don't believe it, look at the AKC guidelines regarding breeding. They would call you irresponsible for allowing a puppy to be bred. American Kennel Club - Responsible Breeding Steps (http://www.akc.org/breeders/resp_breeding/index.cfm)

Stop spending time crying and defending yourself and visit your local shelters. See what they are burdened with, especially during the summer months. Start really doing some research and see what really is going on.

I think we have all had our say on this. Those of us desperately trying to cope with the results of irresponsible breeding need to put our time to better use. I would rather not see any more excuses.