does the bitch and male actually have to lock together for the bitch to become pregnant?

NO..Many bitches take from whats known as a "slip mating"......

ok,,i been trying to breed my dog ( i have the male),he was actually inside the bitch for just a little while today but no tie,,when his thing came out was very big and wouldnt retrack for 5 to 10 mins,,so was just wanting advice on if we should b trying again tomorrow?

This gland that has swollen is what allows the two dogs to tie together. He will have released him sperm (onto the floor mind you), normally after a tie, you would wait24/48 hours for his sperm to replenish and improve the quality of the mating (more sperm being delivered) but since you didn't get a mating i would just wait 24 hours. Is your male proven? are you sure the bitch is fully ready? Maiden dog together is very hard work, especially if you dont know what your doing yourself.

Buy the "Book of Bitches" of Amazon, you would recieve it in 24hours. It is better to do all you home work. There can be an awful lot to learn. First port of call it has most of the answers.
Have you got the right day of her heat?
The tie?
How long will she go?
Having her scanned?
How will I know she is in labour?
What to feed her?
Will she need a C section?
How to revive a puppy?
and loads and loads more.

Denese

they can get pregnant that way but it would it would be the exception not the ruleI have only seen it once ,the reason they need to tie is so the semen is drawn up into the uterus