First Stages of Labor: What We’re Seeing with Reba

We are officially in the first stages of labor with Reba, and for those who love following along behind the scenes, this is one of the most important (and exciting) windows before puppies arrive.

One of the biggest signs we watch for as breeders is a drop in body temperature. This morning, Reba’s temperature dipped below 99 degrees, which we consider a true temperature drop. In most dogs, this drop happens about 12 to 24 hours before active labor begins, making it one of the most reliable early indicators that puppies are on the way.

Along with the temperature change, Reba has been showing several classic signs of early labor:

She has been panting more frequently, even while resting.

She has started nesting behaviors, rearranging her blankets, digging, and trying to make her space “just right.”

She is more restless and focused inward, which is very typical at this stage.

All of these behaviors tell us that her body is beginning the labor process. During this first stage, the cervix is slowly dilating and the uterus is preparing for contractions, even though we may not see strong pushing yet. This stage can last several hours, and sometimes longer, before things move into active labor.

At this point, we are keeping a very close eye on her, checking temperatures, watching her comfort level, and making sure she feels secure and calm. Based on what we’re seeing, we expect puppies sometime tonight or possibly tomorrow.

We are getting very close now, and that means lots of puppy pictures coming soon. Thank you for following along with us as we wait for Reba’s newest arrivals. This is always such a special time, and we are excited to share every step of it with you.

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