Don't really know if this is an 'answerable' thread - or not! but so many things whirling round in my mind with so few people that understand to talk to about it !

D was mated 15 days ago and we are now in that funny stage where you start noticing changes - and try not to hope the changes mean she is pregnant because you're fully aware that the same changes are also the things that could indicate a phantom.

The stage where you're in limbo - because you have a HUGE 'To do' list of chores if she is pregnant, but hubby dosent want to start any of them incase 'she isn't pregnant' ( even though as a woman you'd rather they were done regardless). Where you want to start planning and organising - but instead spend hours online researching 'pregnancy signs' incase you missed a tell tale sign - even though you've read them all a thousand times before!

You can't think about much else, when you're at work, or shopping, or cooking or cleaning. She moves a certain way and you find it odd - 'Must be a sign!' you think - but then correct yourself that this must actually mean she is having a phantom.

I'm in total wonder that we aren't nervous wrecks before due dates!

My girls has been wretching the past few days, and quite subdued for her. She also has stepped back a bit from her very best friend ( a little mixed dog we rescued from Romania) and has let her Mum play with her instead. .. but she is still eating like a horse, no loss of appetite.
She has the same 'greasy coat' thing that her Mum had 2 weeks post mate, and has started to lay differently. Losing a bit of hair around the nipples etc. But as WE ALL KNOW - These very 'symptoms' can easily be phantom indications. So I will just have to keep on waiting!

Just wanted to rant a bit with like minded people, as Hubby is bored to tears with my observations and pregnancy talk .

You are just going to have to be patient, my girl who had the 4 phantoms and then a true pregnancy acted the same each time bar for not eating me out of house and home and growing a big belly too early with the real thing.

They like to keep us guessing!

LOL I am there too :) My girl is prone to false pregnancy so can't read too much into how she is, will scan at 4 weeks will be gutted if she has missed and manic if she is in whelp !!

> I'm in total wonder that we aren't nervous wrecks before due dates!

Now didn't you realise that it's what turns hair grey!  :-)

I was optomistic yesterday - now today I'm sure its a phantom :-(

Sat awaiting new grey hairs ! lol

Klb - when is it 4 weeks for your girl? I have to wait until W/C 23rd Sept . . .

Same for me :) Will  try an organise a scan towards end of that week ... Wine will have been purchased to help me through either outcome LOL

Indeed !

KLB - 6 days on ... and I'm still a nervous wreck!

LOL me too :)  Hope to get a scan over the weekend as I am judging at Driffield on Friday ... Can't  possibility wait until next week !

I don't breed dogs but used to breed tortoises and I know this exact feeling, there were no physical signs a tortoise was gravid and ready to lay, but they were behavioural changes and I used to go crazy convincing myself that my adult female was or wasn't gravid!

I remember now reading your thread why I wasn't cut out for breeding animals!!

I am in exactly the same situation!!!!! can't think of anything else at the moment, keeping checking the bitch (again!!) It's going to be a L...O...N...G  2 weeks till her scan!! Hubby fed up of hearing about it. I am trying not to get hopes up too much incase she isn't.......yup, tick tock!!! will be looking out to see your news!!!!

I'll close this now as it is always a waiting game when you have mated a bitch and there's not much anyone can do until enough time has passed for a scan. Feel free to start a new thread though if you need further advice on anything specific :-)