My sister has had to go in to hospital (emergency) and left me with her terrier bitch to take care of which is in season. My poor 8 month old GSD boy is going absolutely out of his mind trying to get to her. Does anyone have any ideas what on earth I can do to make this situation easier?
He whines and barks all night.
Help!

You can't make it much easier.  As a multi dog household, with both sexes, I think it is always a nightmare.  More so for yourself, if you're not used to managing it. 

I honestly think that it would be easier to let your boy stay with a friend, instead of driving him to distraction.  It's a bit difficult to ask someone else to be responsible for an in season bitch.

Can you put them in different rooms in the house?

Yes they are in different rooms; I have tried the GSD (who I have worked out is 11 months not 8, gosh how time flies!) in my bedroom at night and my sisters dog in the kitchen and vice versa. My boy whines, barks, howls, he has gone off his food and just is like a different dog.
How on earth do you cope usually?

I don't know anyone who is 'doggy' who could look after him.
I had thought about leaving him at the yard locked in a stable, but he is a bit of a mummys boy who has never slept away from home or on his own before. Do you think this would be less distressing for him? I'm at my wits end!

Personally I think locking him in a stable is going to confuse and worry him when he is used to being at home. 

As much as you can take him out to distract him and give him stuff to do at home.  We have always had a multi dog household and although it can be a pain just needs a bit of careful management and ear defenders lol!

I put my boy in a cage in the Living room where he can see the in season bitch. He is usually a lot quieter then. When it's his turn to go out then the bitch goes in her cage at the opposite end of the Living room, just to make sure there are no accidents ;-) They each spend about 2 hours out of the cage at any given time so that they can stretch their legs. Thankfully the crying only goes on for a few days until she is off the peak of the season.

I have tried sending him away but he pines even worse. He doesn't eat at all, even if he is with family members who he knows very well.

I think everyone seems to manage this differently and you just have to work out what works for you. My boy is much better if he is in a completely different room and can't see her. Other people tell me crate dog and bitch side by side and that works. We're on day 13 so I know how you feel. My boy is quiet right now as she is in the garden and he is inside and can't see her.

> How on earth do you cope usually?

It is why I will not own both sexes!!!  ;)

Part of your problem is that your dog is so young -I find with all mine that when they are a year or less, they stay mad for the bitch during the entire season, but once they get older they know full well the bitch is only receptive for certain days and then they are much calmer during the rest of the season. Hence not all seasons are as bad to cope with when you have both sexes. I have a bitch in season at the moment, day 9, she uses the front garden for toileting, the male dogs the back garden, and none of the boys have even realised yet there is somebody in season nearby, all is totally calm. But no, there isn't much you can do unfortunately.

I have a gang of dogs, so have to manange it!  The Collies are not a problem, as they are all neutered.  But the two toy breeds can be a nightmare.  I have two 4ft crates in the kitchen, one on top of the other.  A bit like Lindy Lou, we have crating in shifts!

Girls on the top, and boys on the bottom.  And making sure that bottom crate is definitely closed both ends before girls are lifted down from the top.  My boys don't get locked away from the girls, and some breeders will find that seperating completely suits their needs better.  We all do what is right for us. 

My stud dogs go in the bottom together, and I don't have any fights between them - just sing songs when girls are at their peak.  Like others have said, an experienced male is only going to pine while the bitch is ready.  Any male youngsters will be worse.

But sending your boy to the yard would be very unfair, he's not very old, and would upset him terrible.  My suggestion to send him to a friend, was assuming that someone would be available to make a fuss of him.  I think you are going to have to grit your teeth for a while!

Thank you all for your advice. It's a bit easier knowing that there is not much I can do; at least I can shrug my shoulders and get on with it!

I have found he is calmer with her crated but where he can see her (but not get right up to her) which at least gives me short periods of peace!

Thanks again.

Glad to hear we have helped, even if it's only moral support :-)

I believe that they make so much noise when parted because they think that another dog is 'playing' with their girl ;-)

You have my sympathy, my boy goes off his food and gets really whiney when a bitch in our street is in season, can't imagine what he'd be like if she was in the same house.

I can sympathise as Ellie is in season and I have run out of friends to ask to take Henry, all my usual victims are busy and the only sitter I have found charges £18 / day - for that cost I'll put up with the whining!! He can go with hubby to the office all day and eat his dinner there, so it's only the evening he'll have to be in a separate room - visited regularly of course!

Bit like teenagers then :-P  

If the dog is insured her insurance may cover her being in hospital and pay for kennels.