my bitch is now on day 17, I thought her bleeding had stopped a couple of days ago but I've actually just swabbed her gently with a wipe and she is still bleeding. She isnt swollen at all. I know she doesnt have to be in order to mate, but my dog has been mounting her since Monday (day 14) and initially I thought his aim was off. Actually, it appears he is spot on but unable to penetrate her so far. She has stood for him, like a rock, but I'm now wondering if that was because they are familiar to one another (i own both) rather than her actually being 'ready'. However today, she seems bored of him and keeps trying to lie down. It was suggested to me that perhaps she is now coming out of season but surely if Im still getting a blood stain she isnt? Im hoping and keeping everything crossed that she is a late girl and would love some reassurance from those with dogs that are day 20's etc.

had a litter of 7 gorgeous babies from one mating on day 21....and there is many on here with even later!

I have a male here and 3 bitches. None of my bitches would let him near if they were not ready to mate, they would really tell him off (surprised his nose is still attached ;-) ) If it was my bitch I would have taken her to the vets to make sure that she doesn't have a stricture that is preventing a mating. Just to stop me worrying :-) Apart form that she may just not be ready yet.

Not cheering you up -sorry -but with my last litter we had picked one particular stud dog, travelled a very long way, stayed in a hotel -and the dog would not mate the bitch, no matter what we tried. Had a few half hearted matings but that was it. Nowhere near even a slip mating. He gave a try then gave up instantly. She was very ready for him. In the end we gave up, went home and used a different dog and with him got a tie within 5 minutes of arrival -9 pups.

I have heard of the odd case of dogs that live with the bitch not wanting to mate her.

thanks for the replies...   many - thats what i needed to hear! thank you! I have waited so long for this to be the right time to go ahead and breed and now Im worried it wont happen. marianne he is very very keen poor boy, wouldnt let up i dont think if he had it his way, just not entering her from what i can see and she, as I said, isnt swollen and is still bleeding. We've tried to 'help' but he gets very shy with the hands on approach and just stops, although he is happy for me to hold her and would carry on til the cows came home. Lindylou i will defo get tests done next time if we dont have any success.

but unable to penetrate her so far.
Have you given her an internal examination to see if there's a reason why he can't penetrate?  A stricture is not uncommon in a maiden bitch and an inexperienced stud may not have the force to sort it out. 
If you're not experienced to do that then perhaps it would be an idea to ask your Vet?

hi westcoast, no i havent but I will ask the vet to look at her if we dont succeed this time.

> A stricture is not uncommon in a maiden bitch and an inexperienced stud may not have the force to sort it out. 
>

I had a maiden mated 3 weeks ago, she had a double stricture.. I was able to break the 1st one,  could feel,but not reach the 2nd...

I would suggest a trip to the vets just to make sure all is OK..

thanks, think i may well do that.

A little niave and dumb here, what is the stricture  .  i presume its like a hymen.  Where abouts is it?

I dunno, Reikiangel, and I'm pretty sure I'm not going looking for it in my girls either!!  I've never heard of this so I would also love to know.

In response to Altan, In my breed, it's well known that dogs/bitches kept together will very rarely mate with each other if they are kept in the same house together(in close contact).  I found that if the dog was there first, he wouldn't mate the bitches that he'd seen growing up but if the bitch was there first, no problems.  My first male(and first of this breed) wouldn't mate any of my bitches at all.   Not the slightest interest at all during the entire season.  So much so that I never needed to separate him as he wouldn't even have a sniff.  Show him a smiling Dal and it was a different story!!  Completely different breed but their is no accounting for taste!
Might be the same with your boy?  One way a breeder friend got round this was to separate the two about a month before she came into season and brought the dog back when she was ovulating.  He'd missed her so much and the hormones were obviously working that they got a mating within a matter of minutes after years of trying.