my bitch and dog are both maiden/first timers...    little bit of background incase anyone is interested, they have both had all the relevant health tests done and the litter has been in the planning for around 5 years. I have had  a lot of people wanting to use my dog for stud (he is 5 years old) but I haven't used him as I have no desire to add to the number of unwanted dogs out there and I basically left him entire to use on my own bitch only. Now this results in the obvious issue of inexperience on both sides, but I have always made very sure that he has never been scolded for showing an interest in any of my bitches. There is however the advantage that I have no time restraints as both dogs are here.

My bitch is on day 15 of her season and yesterday, although still bleeding a bit, started to flirt and stand for him, flagging.  He mounted her 3 or 4 times, erect but missing his target. She stood like a rock for him, grinning from ear to ear. Today (day 15) he appears desperate for her, and her him. She is flirting and flagging and, again, standing like a rock...he is mounting her and appears to be going for Great Britain but no sign of his manhood, although there is fluid appearing from somewhere. I had thought that if he didnt get his aim right tonight I would perhaps have to guide him, but I cant see his penis now at all! 

Incase he is tiring himself out I have separated them for a bit, a rest and a drink. I just wondered if anyone had any other advice?  Many thanks.

I'd say she isn't quite ready, or eh lacks enough confidence to mate her.

Have you had progesterone tests to know where she is in the cycle do that you know when you need to achieve a mating by?

This might be an idea so that you know, if it's behavioural or hormones responsible.

thank you...  no i havent done a test. Is it unusual for her not to be ready at day 15?

eta- we have tried again and he  was erect this time, but still no entry.

Day 15 is said to be the 'norm' however my girl is a very late ovulater generally around day 18-20. She will stand all day long from day 8 for my other bitch and my friends neutered dog, like you said as steady as a rock. Her tail will be flagging and she looks very convincing, however, take her to the stud dog on these days and she will NOT mate what so ever. My girl wont even let the stud anywhere near her until she has ovulated already, only progesterone testing will tell you this. Just because she is standing perfectly with your boy, doesn't neccesarily mean she is ready, espescially if she lives with him usually. I find my girl flrits with those she is very comfortable with and close to but god help any other that would try before she is truly ready lol.
As for the guidance, I really wouldn't know where to start, having worked at 2 top kennels I have been a helping hand and countless matings, but I really would not know where to start lol. A stud dog owners job is certainly not easy and if I were you I really wouldn't attempt this on your own. Have some help there, things can go horribly wrong, espescially if your girl doesn't like the tie. Good luck! Rather you than me lol

lol, thanks tiegold....   they are both out for the count now. i guess tomorrow's another day....  she isnt that swollen looking actually.  I've got help around if I need it, thankfully, crossing fingers things wont go wrong!

Most of my bitches have been at their peak at day 15.  Then along comes Myka, mature male who hadn't been used for a few years.  Day 15 came and went and dog politely interested but not mating. 

Blood tested day 17, just coming up to ovulation.  Dog mated bitch day 18 - 20.  Whelped 60 days after first mating.

This bitch now nursing a second litter 2 years later again mated days 18 - 21.  Whelped 62 days after first mating

Her half sister mated days 14 - 18.

> she isnt that swollen looking actually

She doesn't need to be!  I always check visiting bitches when they arrive, to see if they are "going down" as it is an indication (for me anyway!)

As for her still bleeding - again, not relevant.  I have bitches that bleed heavily throughout their season, during and after mating, and still go on to have a litter.

And where do people get this 14 day thing from?  I have just had a bitch blood tested - she ovulated on day 4!  And one of my girls mated on day 28, and the vet said she couldn't be pregnant.  She whelped 9 weeks later.

So don't look for a text book mating, as you will have a very long wait!  Do you have a mentor?  As handling a stud dog is not easy, and you really need someone experienced to be there and give you some guidance.

I have just mated my bitch on day 26 and day 28 of her season!!! We had progesterone tests done (lots of them) and had 2 good ties.  She was still flagging her tail on day 35 of her season !  I would never rely on 'day 15 being the norm'  Good Luck :-)

Have pm'd you some help on assisting :-)

thank you so much for all the lovely advice:)  am away to read my pm's and will be sure to keep you guys updated.

My bitch mated on day 19 i was prepared for a quiet time with my boy lol
Maiden dog he knew exactly when she was ready and waited whilst my back was turned for a min.
now on countdown to see if we are expecting

One of my girls also mated on day 26 and went on to have 8 pups

Glad we didn't do progesterone testing, I'd be bankrupt :-( My girl was still mating at day 32 :-)

wow that must be the longst time? ive never heard of a matring that late.
xxxx

Days 28 through 32 to be exact!! It had me a bit puzzled I have to admit ... but there are one or two on here who have experienced similar length of time :-) She had 6 lovely puppies from that mating. She's just had her first season since the pups and it's been interesting to see that she's looking as though this is the norm for her!!

My vet had suggested testing from day 7! Are the tests done every 3 days ... that's a lot of money for a lot of tests :-)

yes your vet was rubing his hands thinking about you handing your money over :)
yes i had a girl here that mated day 27 but not 32 ;)
xxxx

> My vet had suggested testing from day 7! Are the tests done every 3 days ... that's a lot of money for a lot of tests

I don't routinely test.  But I have a girl that has never had what I call a "proper" season.  Has never lasted long, I have never seen blood, and she is only swollen for a couple of days.

I discussed this with my own vet, who said that he would normally advise testing from day 8, but to start this bitch as soon as I knew she was in season.  I noticed she was swollen on the Thursday evening, so had my first test the following day.  Again on Saturday, and again on Sunday.  I received a phone call on the Sunday evening telling me to mate her right away!  I would never have considered trying her with a male on day 4 of season, so no wonder it had never been the right time!

Yes, I agree that it would be very expensive to do this routinely.  For people, such as Barbara, who had to get it right to travel to the states, I think you have to get a bitch tested.  I only did it because I really thought that I had a bitch that never ovulated!!!!

> For people, such as Barbara, who had to get it right to travel to the states, I think you have to get a bitch tested.

To be honest because of booking flights you really have to go with a guesstimate and go for long enough to cover all bases.

I booked my flight on the first day of the season so didn't do any testing as it was pointless trip booked and staying with the stud dog owner.

If I had rouble getting a mating then I might have tested while there, but thankfully both the dogs and bitches behaviour was normal.