we have an 8 month old westie bitch and a 91/2 month old westie dog (not related) which we are considering mating when she becomes old enough. our problem at the moment is how do we stop the dog from mounting her when she comes into season, which we expect to be quite soon

any advise gratefully received

Denise and neville nutland

The only guaranteed way to keep her safe is to keep them seperated all the time she is in season. Maybe one of them will have to be kennelled for the duration? (About 3 weeks). It can be done keeping them in seperate parts of the house, but you run the risk of the dog getting very frustrated with the scent of a "lovely lady" so near and yet so far, and he may howl/refuse to eat/get irritable.