ravenau1 Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 I hope it's ok to post this here, I figure the breeders here will have the most experience dealing with this. And as I understand the rules a non breeder can post a question and reply in that thread. If I'm incorrect, please delete or move After much discussion with my breeder (and yes, I am WAAAY ahead of myself as the pup hasn't even been conceived yet, but I like to be prepared!) about the pros and cons I have decided that when I eventually get my dog she will not be desexed until at least after her first season, longer if practical. I've never had a dog that wasn't desexed at around 6 months of age before and I am a bit nervous about this prospect. Please excuse me if my questions sound silly! She will mainly be an inside dog, the plan is for her to sleep in our bedroom. How much 'mess' is normally associated with a bitch coming into season? What do you do when your females come into season, if you aren't currently breeding them? Any tips on how to cope? She will be inside as much as possible during, even though we have a secure yard I know that male dogs can be determined and sneaky! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 A lot of bitches keep themselves pretty clean so provided they are taught to sleep on their own bed OR you cover your bed with a sheet or towel the mess shouldn't be enormous. Some people use bitches britches or baby nappies (depends on the size and shape of the bitch), personally I've never bothered - bitches in season don't come on the carpet here, it's a rule they learn very quickly. What sized bitch are you talking about? The mess from a Chihuahua bitch may well be more manageable to most than that from a Great Dane My bitches are crated inside when in season, out in the yard when we're home only and then only under supervision for the few days when they're standing. Exercised on leash only, on our land the last time but now we've moved they'll be taken by car at least a km from home then walked (on leash) there, but not when they're actually standing. It's really not all that difficult. Most bitches are only receptive to the dog for a couple of days, generally some time in the middle week but never assume that is the case!, so it's really not like you're in for three weeks of mad stray dogs leaping onto the roof and crashing through windows. Assuming you live in a reasonably decent area - how many entire dogs actually live around your area? Most reasonable suburbs these days - probably not that many. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkySoaringMagpie Posted August 13, 2010 Share Posted August 13, 2010 Invest in some bitch panties for the mess. I buy from a woman who makes specifically for my breed, but there are lots of options around. The lady I buy from has a website: www.sosewme.com I never leave a bitch in season unsupervised unless she is in a covered run and entire dogs can't even get close enough to mate through the dog wire. For a pet in suburbia, this means supervising in the backyard for toilet and exercise and otherwise keeping her inside. You are looking at at least 3 weeks of confinement and supervision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenau1 Posted August 14, 2010 Author Share Posted August 14, 2010 A lot of bitches keep themselves pretty clean so provided they are taught to sleep on their own bed OR you cover your bed with a sheet or towel the mess shouldn't be enormous. Some people use bitches britches or baby nappies (depends on the size and shape of the bitch), personally I've never bothered - bitches in season don't come on the carpet here, it's a rule they learn very quickly.What sized bitch are you talking about? The mess from a Chihuahua bitch may well be more manageable to most than that from a Great Dane Yes, I probably should have mentioned the breed! A Dobermann My bitches are crated inside when in season, out in the yard when we're home only and then only under supervision for the few days when they're standing. Exercised on leash only, on our land the last time but now we've moved they'll be taken by car at least a km from home then walked (on leash) there, but not when they're actually standing. Great, thanks! At least a km away, that makes sense! I'm relieved to find a way to exercise during this time as three weeks is a long time. It's really not all that difficult. Most bitches are only receptive to the dog for a couple of days, generally some time in the middle week but never assume that is the case!, so it's really not like you're in for three weeks of mad stray dogs leaping onto the roof and crashing through windows. Assuming you live in a reasonably decent area - how many entire dogs actually live around your area? Most reasonable suburbs these days - probably not that many. True! I guess I have visions of male ninja dogs creeping around to the theme of Mission Impossible There's not many dogs around here at all, that I've seen anyway. My neighbour has two small fluffies, I don't know what breed but they are both desexed and the only other dog I see is a lovely Golden Retriever that gets walked every evening. Never even hear other dogs barking. Invest in some bitch panties for the mess. I buy from a woman who makes specifically for my breed, but there are lots of options around. The lady I buy from has a website: www.sosewme.comI never leave a bitch in season unsupervised unless she is in a covered run and entire dogs can't even get close enough to mate through the dog wire. For a pet in suburbia, this means supervising in the backyard for toilet and exercise and otherwise keeping her inside. You are looking at at least 3 weeks of confinement and supervision. Those panties are great, I think I can probably get my Mum to knock something similar up. I'm already paranoid so she definately won't be left unsupervised during that time. Luckily I only work a weekend day and my OH works during the week so there can always be someone home. Thanks for your replies, you've allayed my fears a bit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 A Dobe will leave a noticeable discharge on your floor (if they are anything like my giants!), particularly on seasons after the 1st one which tends to be lighter. It isn't rocket science to look after a in season bitch when there are no males in the home. Just take care about where you exercise her and don't let her out of sight whenever outside. Bear in mind, if you do have a safe off lead area, some do go a little deaf to recall when they want a boy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted August 14, 2010 Share Posted August 14, 2010 A Dobe will leave a noticeable discharge on your floor (if they are anything like my giants!), particularly on seasons after the 1st one which tends to be lighter.It isn't rocket science to look after a in season bitch when there are no males in the home. Just take care about where you exercise her and don't let her out of sight whenever outside. Bear in mind, if you do have a safe off lead area, some do go a little deaf to recall when they want a boy! My Cavaliers bleed heavier than my Border Collie X used too!!! Perhaps because she was outside but she kept her self very clean and never left stains on her bed or at the back porch. I used bitches pants with a cut in half panty liner for my little girls now. But they can be a problem if worn outdoors as they will pee through them so you have to remember to take them off when shes outdoors or if she lives outdoors, then they aren't any use. Also bear in mind that Vets do state that if a bitch is desexed BEFORE her first season she has better protection against breast Cancer (my poor Border got this at age 12 and had to have a radical masectomy and hysterestomy and then died of a stroke 3 months later!!?? (probably unrelated?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenau1 Posted August 17, 2010 Author Share Posted August 17, 2010 A Dobe will leave a noticeable discharge on your floor (if they are anything like my giants!), particularly on seasons after the 1st one which tends to be lighter.It isn't rocket science to look after a in season bitch when there are no males in the home. Just take care about where you exercise her and don't let her out of sight whenever outside. Bear in mind, if you do have a safe off lead area, some do go a little deaf to recall when they want a boy! I think we will be exercising her well away from other dogs, just in case! My Cavaliers bleed heavier than my Border Collie X used too!!! Perhaps because she was outside but she kept her self very clean and never left stains on her bed or at the back porch. I used bitches pants with a cut in half panty liner for my little girls now. But they can be a problem if worn outdoors as they will pee through them so you have to remember to take them off when shes outdoors or if she lives outdoors, then they aren't any use. Also bear in mind that Vets do state that if a bitch is desexed BEFORE her first season she has better protection against breast Cancer (my poor Border got this at age 12 and had to have a radical masectomy and hysterestomy and then died of a stroke 3 months later!!?? (probably unrelated?) She will only ever be outside when we're not home normally, and when she's in heat she won't be unsupervised outside at all, will make sure to remember to take the pants off when she wants out, otherwise could be messy lol. We have done a lot of thinking about this and reading/talking to people etc and have decided that for us anyway, the pros outweigh the cons as far as waiting to get her desexed. Thanks for your replies It's appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystiqview Posted August 17, 2010 Share Posted August 17, 2010 I buy those "pull up nappies" for my bitches when they are in season. I cut a + in the back for the tail. I also lock up my girls for 4 weeks. Not just 21 days of the season. I have had an accidental mating here with my own males on day 20 that took. I aborted that pregnancy (yes she was pregnant) due to her age. Normally that line stands around day 12.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelsun Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Unless you or the breeder has plans for a litter, there is no real good reason to allow her to remain entire. There are plenty of risks in doing so including pyometra (uterin infections) which can be silent and lethal when in closed form. Arguements are always out there that a bitch needs a season to mature correctly and be mentally more stable, but there are no documented facts that will stand by that statement. As an only dog in the family, yes it's possible to live with a bitch in season, but there are bitches that cycle every three/four months which is not only a pain for the owners to deal with, but very hard on the bitch. This is something to seriously consider when you are looking at the overall picture of the health of your dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenau1 Posted August 23, 2010 Author Share Posted August 23, 2010 Thanks for your replies, Mystiqview and Angelsun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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