My pregnant dog had labor signs, then stopped. Was it false labor?

Yes, she could be starting stage II of labor. Remember, not every dog reads "the book". She may not have all the listed symptoms. Here is an article about the stages of labor and what to expect. If you are worried about her at any time you should always take her to a vet for an exam. It is better to be safe than sorry if you think there is something wrong. Taking her rectal temperature is a good way to know if she is getting ready to whelp. ( https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Dog-WhelpingThe-Stages-of-Dog-Labor ) Best wishes.

Unfortunately your photo did not attach to your message. Please try again and hopefully it will go through so we can evaluate it. A good rule of thumb is that if you are seeing black or green discharge, then that is considered abnormal and she should be seen by your vet right away. Her whining sounds a little concerning as well, especially if she is doing it continuously and seems to be in distress. A vet visit sounds like a good option for her @ this point. I hope that things work out well for your pregnant doggie. Best wishes and take care.

56 days is a bit early, but it is possible she could be in labor, or closer to her due date than thought. Signs of labor can include visible contractions, changes in body temperature, lack of appetite, and waxing of the nipples (producing a milk substance). I would keep an eye on her, and if she doesn't have any puppies within a few hours of signs of labor, or she seems in great distress/is extremely exhausted take her into your vet ASAP for care to make sure there isn't a stuck puppy or other illness or complication causing her early symptoms.

It sounds like Pixie could be in the first stage of labor, which can last up to 18 hours. Now if 18 hours have passed since you first starting seeing these signs, she needs to see a vet now. French bulldogs frequently need help giving birth in the form of a c-section, with over 80% of their litter being delivered this way. It's very important to take her into a vet if 18 hours have passed, as leaving her without veterinary treatment can and has lead to the death of the puppies and potentially the dog. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

If there has been a discharge of fluid then yes, labor may indeed have started. Please keep them completely segregated as the presence of the male is very threatening to her as he may be a danger to her pups. If active contractions do not start within 2hours you should have her assessed by an emergency vet

It's always possible that any dog can have problems with delivery, so I recommend being prepared for that possibility financially. It's best to have the money set aside for an emergency c-section so it's there if you need it. Be sure to know the signs of problems with delivery, such as more than 30 minutes of intense contractions with no sign of a puppy, more than two hours between puppies being delivered, more than four hours between the onset of stage two of labor to delivery of the first puppy, more than 24 hours after a temperature drop below 100F with no puppies being born, 69 days gestation with no sign of labor, a greenish-black discharge (a sign the placenta has detached), and a bloody discharge before the first puppy is born or between puppies. Any of those signs, and Gemma will need to see a vet immediately.

I recommend an ultrasoun as soon as possible in order to determine if there are puppies present and if they are still alive, Normal labour and delivery is triggered in part by hormones secreted from the puppies and if there is only a single pup, or if the pups have died before delivery then this may not happed and a section may be required in order to remove them, Survival is very poor beyond 5 days overdue but the risk of infection and reduced fertlity in the future increases dramatically over time