I mated my bitch for the first time on her last season, but she didn't get pregnant, but had a very convincing phantom! I believe she is in season again and is due to go to my stud breeder on Thursday, who has said she should maybe have her earlier this time, incase she ovulated early. Should I have a pre mate blood test on Wednesday to see if she is close. I don't mind investing the money, but just want to use it wisely. I have to pay for the nights my bitch stays at the studs anyway, just want to have the best shot of making if work.

I believe she is in season again - surely you should make sure she is in season before making arrangements for her to visit the stud dog! 

Bitches are sometimes ready to be mated between 12/14 days into their season but obviously they can vary either way - as per another very recent posting here. 

I don't wish to appear rude, but if you're not sure about seasons, should you really be embarking down the breeding route?  It can be a very traumatic for all involved.  Raising a litter can be very rewarding but it is also very hard work.  If you are serious about having a litter I would definitely go for a blood test - it may take several if she is a late ovulator - may well end up cheaper than having her stay at the studs for several days.

> I have to pay for the nights my bitch stays at the studs anyway, just want to have the best shot of making if work.

Is your breed one with low stud fees?  As I would expect the boarding of the bitch to be part of the stud service when paying a stud fee which in my breed is the price of a puppy.

I do know she is in season, sorry if I worded it incorrectly, this forum used to me such a friendly place!!!
Because it didn't work last time, I suppose my confidence was knocked a bit, I was probably just looking for a bit of reassurance, sorry to have bothered you and come to the wrong place.

It might be a good idea to miss her this time anyway if you have to go away and she will need to be moved when they are just a week old?  Perhaps next season would be a better? :)

Did you pay for the last mating? most breeders will give you a free second mating if the first one is uncessful, but i'm sorry i would be a little worried if you can't even tell if shes in season or not? Maybe you should do a bit more revision into it first like the book of the bitch, and talking to others that specialse in your breed, and making sure all the health tests are done and she is a good specimine.  From what ive read the puppy "market" sorry that sounds like they are pieces of meat but you know what i mean, has slmped slightly and the rescue centres are flooded with puppies/dogs so maybe it better to wait until a better time and your better prepeared. 

My bitch missed the first time round so at her next season I used the progesterone test carried out at this laboratory:-
http://www.cslabs.co.uk/
It's far more accurate than the usual pre-mate test that you get done at your vets, the only drawback is that you don't get the results until the following day.

It certainly worked for us, I had 2 tests and now have a healthy litter of 10 puppies.

Do you live nearby there then ? i went on their site but says still under constrution so didnt find out much
I would gather you have to take bitch to them so if you live over 100 miles away it would be no good for me

The links along the top work but if you give them a call they're very helpful. Their number is 01223 493400.

I don't live anywhere near them either. What I did was arrange for my vet to draw the blood then sent it off myself to the lab, 1st class special next day (before 9am) delivery. They rang the next afternoon with the results.

I find the progesterone test to be the best. I use IDEXX labs in Yorkshire. All you do is ring them, they send kits and a prepaid envelope out to you. Your Vet takes the blood test and you send it of. You get a phone call next day telling you the optimum time to take your bitch to the stud dog or whether she is not near enough and if you need to send another test out to them.

I woulod defo get a blood test done, good luck x

I also went the IDEXX route last time as my girl had missed three times!  Two previous litters had taken to matings on the 18th day, although these other three missed times I'd taken her from day 11.  On day 5 I had the blood test done to get an urgent call the next day to say take her straight away, I did and ended up with 3 wonderful pups!