Sex Ed!, in season, heat?

[piglet]

I am new to all this "in season, in heat, on heat", I know I am a bit old to be asking, but needs must!!!

It started with Amber jumping the fence and going under the fence! she has been fine in this garden for three months. Then there's the pacing up and down, even when she's been walked. Her food. on and off it. not eating as much as she was. I was starting to think I should take her to the vet when, I think you say, the spotting started.!

So am I right to think all the above is connected to being in season?

How long does spotting last for?
How long do I need to keep the boys away?

what worries me about her food is that she is loosing weight and if you remember she was very under weight when I got her in Jan. Should I try her on different food or just sit it out as it's to do with being in season?


my computer has died! it's away being repaired so I shall try and post a pic from this computer, it doesn't have all my passwords saved and my memory isn't so great.

[piglet]

this is a very informative site http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/breedingheat.htm

http://www.symptomsfordogs.com/posts/dog-heat-cycles/

they bleed forever!!!!! no only 12 to 16 days.

I am posting this just in case anyone else needs to know, like me.

[LurcherGirl]

I'm sorry no-one replied... Unfortunately I am not a lot of help as I have only one bitch (and she is my first one ever) and she is neutered so never had a season. Perhaps someone else on here can help a bit more.

Re keeping the boys away, the season normally lasts around 3 weeks, personally I would then keep the boys away for another week.

[Kcskeeper]

Freya had her first season beginning of last September. I am a little confused at the moment because she hasn't had one since

However during her first season she was very unsettled. snoozing a lot more than usual and not as playful. She also weed a lot more on walks. She paced and mooched about a bit and whined a lot more especially in the night. I think she was having tummy pains. her season lasted for almost five weeks and there was very little easing of the flow throughout. I think first seasons can be a rather more of a trial than when they are older and fall into a regular pattern. Theoretically the dangerous time is week two, when the bleeding should ease off for a while and a bitch will begin to lift her tail and stand square in the presence of a male. However I do say theoretically as this will not always be correct and it would be better if she can be kept separate for the entire time she is bleeding and then another week following. If you are worried check her reaction to male dogs and their reaction to her before letting her off lead to play with them for the first time following her season.
Freya was a bit grumpy around bitches too when she was in season and would grumble and back off rather than play or run. She also suffered with a runny tummy for a few days and her appetite was off and on.
Hope this helps. Enjoy the fun!

[Kcskeeper]

One more thing I have a friend with a smooth saluki bitch that does everything it can to escape and look for a mate during her season. Normally she is as good as gold with a super recall.

[piglet]

thanks for your replies, they are very helpful.

Poor Freya, sounds like she had a terrible time.
Freya maybe waiting for it to get warmer for her next season.

I too was wondering if Amber was having tummy pain, wasn't sure if she could or not.
It will be a while yet then till things settle down then she will be neutered. I couldn't do this every six months if I wasn't going to breed, it's such a lot of work and it's like having a new dog. so much washing and there will be so much more when it's over.
thank goodness for washing machines!!

thanks again

[piglet]

yesterday we heard a loud, deep howl outside. We went out, not with Amber, and found a large dog howling outside our wooden gate!!!!

I told him Amber couldn't come out to play today!

He lives down the lane from us, the wind must have been blowing in his direction.

[Kags]

Stella has pseudo seasons and they seem to attract the local Border Collie in the village, he is 14, I don't know how he still has it in him!

[piglet]

what does a pseudo season entail? she must be giving off an odor for collie dog to come calling....even if his brain hasn't caught up with his body yet!!!
does she spot?
has Stella been spayed? I am going to get Amber spayed and I was thinking it would end all these problems. she's becoming more her self but still spotting and male dog is still trying to get to her.
my husband looks very strange peeking out the gate, looking up and down the lane, to see if any dogs are around, before he takes Amber for a walk.

[Mimi]

In response to the came into heat last year and hasnt since - while most dogs come into season 2ce a year some breeds and some individuals only come into season once a year. The basenji for example only usually comes into season once a year.

I don't know the usual cycle of the saluki (I'm still looking for the right breeder) but it's possible they are sometimes once a year dogs...