I posted in June about my bitch.  She had came into season just as we were going away on holiday(typical) but as we were going to be back for day 8, I thought everything would be fine but with the disruption, she took herself back out of season.  Well, she started bleeding a few days ago and I have a neutered dog with me atm(I'm grooming a friends dog) and he is going mad for her.  He is only coming up for 2 yrs and has not had his 'bits' since he was a pup but he has his nose stuck firmly up 'there' and she is lifting her tail but nothing more.  Should I take her to the stud today?  She's only on day 4.  Should I mate her this time too as I am now worrying that this is not a normal season as she wouldn't be due for another couple of months normally.  Pah, bitches, I give up!!

Personally I wouldn't count the first season as a season. I have one bitch who did this, had just a few days then came into season properly 3 months later.

The earliest I've mated a bitch was day 5 and she did conceive.

Beware the neutered dog may well mate and tie with your bitch so don't leave them unattended in case of injury.

as he is inexperienced in knowing when to mate a bitch as he is not and has not been used at stud, I wouldn't tend to believe his signals. Alot of males would be interested in a bitch being in season some even before they actually come in. The best thing to do would be to go to the vets and get her blood tested. Day 4 is some what early to what I would mate my bitch, but then there are variations that will mate as early as this or as late as day 28! As marianne has said be careful of your bitch even with neutered males as although the risk of pregnancy isn't there, the risk of mating and trying to seperate when in a tie will still be there. Good luck :-)

Thanks for the advice.  I have separated them now as I didn't want him getting too worked up or any accidents happening as I always am careful with my girls if I am getting them covered.  I have mated her before 18 months ago and she was mated on her 11th day that time and had 5 lovely puppies so I am going to go with that again and see how she goes.  Not sure I put too much faith into the blood test as some people I know have had different results with this.

Okay, so this morning she was 'presenting' to our bitches so I phoned up the stud dog owner and said I maybe had the date wrong.  They brought their dog over and he was very happy to see her.  He has tried to mate a good few times and has 'hit' the mark a couple but my girl is not too happy.  Anytime he gets anywhere near the right spot she is snapping at him or yelping.  I don't understand?  She didn't so this the last time.  Am I maybe to early or is she just being silly?

Most bitches will indulge in standing behaviour with their female friends quite a while before they will allow a dog to mate them, it's probably too early.