I have a female GSD that is due 12/30. I have a 7'X 13 1/2' kennel inside my finished ( heated, air conditioned, drywalled and carpeted ) two car garage that I use for an office and weight room. The kennel has a rubber floor on top of a tarp with a 5'X 5' welping box inside. Each side of the kennel that does not face a wall has a tarp zip tied to it so that there is total privacy for the female. This is a room connected to my house and has never been used as a garage in the 12 years I have lived here.

She has managed to escape from the kennel, one day last week and again last night. The first time she was able to tear down the fencing on one of the sides so I tightoned the fence to stop that. Last night she got the door open and got out. Today I put an x10 cammera on the wall and sat in another room to see how she was getting out and made repairs to stop her from getting the door open. I don't believe she can still get out but only time will tell. Origionally I had her dog crate in the kennel but I'm reluctant to put it back in for obvious reasons. She dosn't try to escape from her kennel outside but leaving her out there isn't an option.

Am I doing he right thing pushing the kennel at this point? I don't see another good option but perhaps I'm missing somthing. She dosn't seem to be any more restless in the kennel or out. I don't want to get into a situation where she is in labor and gets freaked out when I put her in the kennel and I don't want puppies born in my living room or worse. She has been fed in the kennel and has been in it every day for the last couple weeks, except for escapes or when I am home and don't have other dogs loose in the house. I even have a radio playing really boring music so she can't hear any activity in the house or outside.

Any ideas or input would be much appreciated!

Well that didn't take long. She got a hold of the bar holding the fencing on the door and bent it until she could get her head out. I didn't assemble the door it was pre-made. I guess the I will just have to purchase a better kennel.

My first thought is maybe it's too private with the tarps over all sides. Maybe if she could see out a bit more she'd be happier. If she is housebroken and not destructive maybe you could just leave her loose in the garage. One good way to keep from getting surprised (well, mostly), is to take her temperature twice a day. Normal is 101 to 101.5 or so. Within twelve hours give or take of going into labor, the bitches temp should drop to about 99. May give you some warning. Good luck!