LoveToKnow Dogs:Ask the Dogs Expert

First, let me commend you on the adoption. That was a very kind thing to do, and this dog is especially lucky to have you considering her condition. It does sound like your dog could be pregnant, but the vet can confirm that for you on Wednesday. As for when milk production begins, it varies from one dog to the next. On average, some development begins about two weeks before delivery, but some females don't produce milk until the pups arrive and their nursing stimulates production, so it's difficult to use milk production as a guideline for when the pups are likely due. Your vet should be able to give you a better estimate.

Right now, the best thing you can do is keep a close eye on your dog and provide her with a box to have the pups in. Line it with several layers of newspaper so she can work it into a nest. We have a couple of articles that I think you'll find helpful at this time.

• Canine Gestation
• Delivering Puppies

Check those out, and don't hesitate to come back if you find you have more questions. You may even want to post about the pregnancy on our Dogs forum to get more feedback.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope all goes well. :) - posted by:Kelly

The interesting thing about dogs is that females don't go through menopause like women do, so they continue to cycle throught their lifetime. However, the regularity of those cycles can change as the female ages. Cycles can grow further apart, and they can even lighten in intensity; this can make them difficult to track.

That said, other factors such as nutrition and stress can also affect when a female comes into heat, as well as medical complications like an ovarian cyst.

All things considered, it may be worth it to relay your observations to your vet and schedule an exam. If there's a medical reason your dog hasn't come into heat, the vet should be able to figure that out and address it. At six years old, your dog would probably be able to handle a pregnancy, but the uterus does begin to lose elasticity around this age and that can lead to post delivery complications in some cases. You may want to consider having your pet spayed so you no longer need to worry about her having a litter.

Thanks for your question. :) - posted by:Kelly

First of all, I think it is wonderful that you adopted this puppy. He has probably lost out on a bit of socialization, but it's not too late to catch up on it.

Based on what you describe, it sounds as if your puppy doesn't really intend on hurting anyone, and Shepherds can certainly look ferocious when they show those big teeth. Your pup is probably just trying to figure out where he fits in with his new family pack.

Taking your pup to the park is great for exercise, but I think he would benefit more from some controlled socialization in the form of a puppy class at your local dog training facility. At class, your pup will learn acceptible ways of socializing with other dogs. The traininer will also watch your pup to evaluate his behavior and let you know if it is truly normal or whether he is at the beginning of developing aggression problems. Once puppy class is finished, you can move on to basic obedience training, and this will make your pet an even better family companion.

Overall, I think everything is going to be alright, but the trainings I've mentioned will really help your pup become the best he can be. Good luck. :) - posted by:Kelly

It sounds like there may be a number of things going on here. First, your little Chihuahua is becoming mature, and it sounds like he is beginning to assert himself to see if he can gain dominance over your Pug. This is actually quite natural behavior between dogs, so try to let them settle it themselves as long as the little Chi doesn't get hurt.

Second, is there a possibility your Pug could be coming into heat? That could make her feel a bit more testy, and just because your male is neutered doesn't mean he won't be interested in her when the time comes. Sometimes a female will seem quite ferocious during this time, and she will attempt to drive off the male with her aggressive behavior. The current fighting could be a combination of these issues.

You may find it helpful to begin taking these two dogs for daily walks together. This allows them to work off excess energy, relax and begin to settle into a pack together. This is often enough to help get things back on track, but you will still likely have the occasional tussle because Chihuahuas behave a lot like Terriers. Most people don't realize this because they look so little and cute, but they really do have the heart of a lion. If you find it necessary, don't hesitate to put both dogs through obedience training. This will give you greater control over them when they get ready to rumble.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this advice is helpful. :) - posted by:Kelly