[Clay]

Since you don't have a mentor or a breeder near you and you need some help I figured I can put what I know with what you know in hopes that you can get your questions answered. Puppies can be detected best by abdominal palpation about 28 to 35 days after breeding. Around this time frame, the puppies are about the size of walnuts and can be detected by touch. Palpating after this time frame is not recommended as the embryos rapidly enlarge and are no longer identifiable as distinct, individual swellings because fluids begin to surround the embyos(usually between day 33-35) which should now be turning into fetuses; however, the puppies can be directly palpated after day 50. My vet doesn't do well with palpation but my aunt breeds and pinpointed the exact number my girl is having. Hope this helps!