Hello. I am a dog breeder my self. Yes your dog is most likely in stage 1 of labour. Call your vet and tell him/her what is going on. The puppies will be out in 2-24 hours. Best of luck!
My dog is whining and scratching the bedding. Is she in labour?
Yeah it sounds like your dog is trying to tell you something here my friend.
Signs of labour in dogs are also:
- Drop in temperature
- In the week leading up to birth, she will start going quiet and sit on her own more
- When labour is close, she will scratch away at sheets and bedding and stuff trying to prepare a comfortable place for her to give birth and for the puppies to rest. That sounds like what you're describing, so she should give birth today.