Pregnancy timeline  Week 1: Fertilization occurs. Two cell embryos are in the oviduct. The embryo is fairly resistant to external interference in development.

Pregnancy timeline  Week 2: Embryo will be 4 cell at start of week and 64 cell by end of the week. Embryos enter the uterus.

Pregnancy timeline: Week 3  Implantation of the embryos.

Pregnancy timeline: Week 4  Puppies begin development of eyes and spinal cords. The faces take shape. Organogenesis begins. Embryos are at the most susceptible time for defects. I will begin to add on alternating days boiled eggs and cottage cheese to the mom to be’s dinner meal. Nipples start to enlarge.

Pregnancy timeline: Week 5  Toes, whisker buds, and claws form. Fetuses look like dogs. Gender can be determined. Eyes, previously open, now close. Organogenesis ends and puppies are fairly resistant to interference with development.

Pregnancy timeline: Week 6  The puppies’ skin pigment develops and length and weight increase.

Pregnancy timeline  seven weeks: Puppies continue to grow and develop. Abdomens start shedding.

Pregnancy timeline: Week 8: Fetal movement can be detected when mom is at rest.

Pregnancy timeline:  Week 9: Whelping takes place

There are four stages to the heat cycle. Anestrus is the R and R stage between heats, lasting an average of five to six months. Proestrus is the onset of heat and discharge. Most females refuse mating at this time. Although flirtatious, they discourage males by growling, baring teeth, snapping, running in the other direction or sitting on the target. During estrus, the female accepts the male and invites coitus with the male. This receptive period of four days to a week is when ovulation takes place. Females will flag (move) their tails to the side or curl them completely over their backs. Males can smell the estrus perfume up to three miles from the source. Diestrus is the is the stage that readies the uterus for pregnancy. If fertilization doesn’t occur, this stage soon reverts to anestrus. If pregnancy exists, diestrus continues until whelping. (Successful Dog Breeding, Walkowicz and Wilcox, pp.48-49)