I have a bitch that is pregnant that isn't due until around the 1st of the year; she is acting very restless. Last night she kept pacing and turning in circles she did finally settle down and go to sleep next to me. Was wondering if this is normal behavior at this point or should I get her to the vet to get checked out? She is eating fine, hasn't had any sickness, that I know of anyway, nothing else abnormal.

She has a very nice pedigree going back to Natz vom Arolser Holz, Dasty vom Gries, Arthus vom Lunzholz, Ari Neffental..... I have breed her with Kevin Sheldhal's psd, CJ, and am VERY, VERY excited about this litter. Therefore, might be a little "apprehensive" about this whole process and didn't know if I was getting nervous for no reason or not. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. And just as a forwarning...I may be become a pain as things get closer <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Cathi

Sounds like normal behaviour - getting closer to whelping some bitches get very "nesty" and will be very restless, so it might be a good time to introduce her to her whelping box and give her some bedding. Also if she is carrying a big litter they can be pretty active and take up alot of space which can lead to some sighing and flopping and heaving around trying to get comfortable. Warning - some bitches can get REALLY nesty and will pick a spot of their own choosing and begin to arrange it to their liking - I had one bitch choose my clothes closet for a "den" - shredded up several clothes items and other stored things for bedding and pushed overthing else out of the closet. Nothing would dissuade her from the idea that was where she was going to have her litter - despite being introduced to a whelping box early. Same dog dug an actual den in the dogyard despite being hugely pregnant. I have had better luck with a covered whelping box than an open one - a kitchen table over an open type whelping box and covered with a blanket seems to work better or a fully enclosed one with a "lid"(like an oversized doghouse but with pigrails inside). The enclosed den like atmosphere is the key, I think.

Thanks Lynn, I was a tad concerned that it was too early for this behavior and that something else was maybe going on.

I have cleared out a room for her, bleached walls, shampooed the carpet (couple weeks ago) and now am working on getting in the whelping box, etc. Thanks for the tips - very helpful. Think it best if I left her in there during the day? I have been leaving her out in her kennel during the day (when not too cold), but should I be leaving her in the house now? (yes, i am probably more restless then she is right now - lol).

Cathi