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Reduce the Hassle of Handling
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Knowing how to handle female dogs in heat is important to the health and safety of your pets and family. If you have an unspayed female dog, you will need to take extra precautions during the few weeks a year your dog's in heat so she will not be bred, chased or teased by unneutered male dogs wandering the neighborhood or even a male dog you own household!
Owners of Male Dogs Need Constant Vigilence
If you have an un-neutered male dog, be aware of the temptation that a female dog in heat can present to him.
If a female dog in your neighborhood comes into heat, you will need to be sure your intact male is kept safely within the confines of your house and property, so he does not wander off in pursuit of female dogs in heat. If they are not kept home while they are in heat, female dogs in heat could present potential distractions in parks and other public areas. Male dogs have been known to follow the scent of a female dog in heat for miles, so be sure to keep your dog on leash or in a fenced area to prevent him from escaping and getting lost or injured while he's away from home.
When are female dogs in heat?
Your unspayed female dog will come into heat for the first time when she is around 6-12 months old and will come into heat about twice a year thereafter. You will notice a her vulva swell slightly and she will excrete a bloody discharge as well. Her heat cycle will last for approximately 3 weeks after these symptoms begin to occur. During this time she is receptive to mating with male dogs and they will come from far and near to try to gain access to her.
Tips for handling female dogs in heat
Leaving female dogs in heat alone outdoors is a poor idea. During the three or so weeks she is in heat your bitch releases pheremones which male dogs detect and are attracted by.
This can create real problems and can be dangerous if large or aggressive male dogs are attracted to your neighborhood. Male dogs may dig under or jump over fences in attempt to mate with female dogs in heat.
You should keep your female dog indoors while she is heat. Even so, you may find male suitors waiting on your doorstep if they have been attracted by pheremones left in her urine when she eliminates outdoors. You will want to accompany her outdoors when she leaves the house to eliminate and perhaps carry a can of pepper spray or mace with you if you've noticed large or aggressive male dogs in your area.
Unfortunately, leaving your dog inside can be inconvenient because of the
bloody discharge she will secrete while she is in heat.
While your female dog is in heat, keep her indoors and confined to an area where her discharge will not
be a problem. You can crate her (remember to let her out for exercise and bring her crate into an area
where she can spend time with family, so she doesn't get lonely), use baby gates to restrict her to an
easy-to-clean kitchen or bathroom, or keep her in another area where a small potential mess will not be
a big concern. If you don't want to confine her while she's indoors, or don't have a suitable confinement area, consider
dog panties
as an alternative to restriction.
If you chose not to spay your dog, keep your female dog indoors during her 3-week heat cycle. Only allow her outside for supervised playtimes and walks. Try to stay near your own home, as she will attract a lot of unwanted attention if she must go to a public park or area where unneutered male dogs may be present.
Consider Neutering Dogs that are not part of a breeding program
If you do not plan to use your dog as part of a planned, responsible breeding program, it may be best and most convenient to avoid this problem altogether by having your female dog spayed when she is six months old, or older.A female dog can release as many as 20 eggs per heat cycle, and if she has the opportunity to mate with more than one dog, she can give birth to puppies of different paternaties. Even if you have let her participate in a planned breeding, or she has been accidentally bred, keep her confined for the duration of her heat cycle to avoid the production of additional/unwanted puppies.
I'm sure you've heard it before, but unplanned breedings create a lot of unwanted puppies who end up being put to sleep in shelters. Irresponsible breeding can also create puppies with health problems and unless you are a serious dog breeder, you should certainly consider having your dog, male or female, neutered. This can make your pet healther and happier as well as eliminating a lot of ongoing worries for you.
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Also refer to the article on
Potty Training Dogs.
Back to article on
Potty Training Puppies.
