Hi, I took my bitch to be mated last evening, day 11.  The stud dog seemed to be delivering the goods so to speak but then the handler (very experienced) held the two together (for 10-15 mins). I assumed this was a slip mating but he did let go at one point and the dog did stay inside her for a few mins. We have been advised not to go back until sat morning now. My question is, if it had just been a slip mating, would the dog and bitch have immediately parted when the handler let go ? He didn't look that swollen to me afterwards. I am just wondering if he ejaculated or not really and whether it is wise to leave her until saturday ? I would be grateful for any advice, thank you.

if it had just been a slip mating, would the dog and bitch have immediately parted when the handler let go ?

Yes.

If it was my bitch I'd go back 48 hours later so tomorrow. But then as the bitch was as early as day 11 she'll most likely also be fine for Saturday which would be day 14 -unless she's one of these very early ones that stands from day 2 or so.

Thank you for your prompt reply :-) I say day 11 but she only came into season very late at night on the day I am classing as day 1 (discharge very minimal at that check) - I had checked her several times during the course of the day, so I was almost wondering if the next day should have been classed as day 1, making saturday day 13.
I am reassured that if only a slip mating they would have came apart once no longer held. :-)

I would definitely class that as a slip mating if they had to be held together.

I'm not sure if you are familiar with a tie, but when a tie occurs it can be from 5-50 minutes (usually averaging around 20 minutes or so) and the dog will be 'stuck' inside the female and should turn and stand bum to bum for the remainder of the tie.

If he ejaculated inside but they did not tie, this is what I call a true slip mating. I would definitely be taking her back 48 hrs after the first visit.

Oh yes, I am familiar with a tie, the bit I wanted clarifying was that as they remained together after the handler had let go, is this an indication that they were tied.... with a slip mating would they not have immediately come apart once the handler was no longer holding them ?

Yes - that's just it, Cavlover :)

Phew, thank you ridgielover :-)

Often stud dog handlers will hold a dog in place to ensure a tie, most often in breeds where the males are smaller than the bitches and tend to slip. 

They will hold them for at least 5 minutes so that even if they don't tie there will have been long enough contact for the goods to be delivered.

Where they back to back during the holding or dog atop the bitch.  If the former I would say there was a successful tie (as otherwise they would have parted during turning).

I'd certainly still expect more than one mating opportunity.

Hi Barbara, they ended up more side by side as oppose to back to back. The handler is not the stud dog owner but he is an expert at assisting matings and is always in demand. The stud dog owner just uses him as she has a few boys and it keeps the peace by having matings take place on neutral territory. He seems confident that we can leave it now until saturday morning. As my bitch only came into season late at night, I am thinking sat should still be ok as I could easily have not checked her when i was going to bed and left it until morning - in which case sat would be day 13.Her one and only litter was 2years ago and she had the one mating that time on day 12, which resulted in 3 pups. I just want to do what is best as she is 4 now and if no joy this time, i may just not bother again, although i have paid my stud fee. I usually have an ovulation scan done but I haven't bothered this time, perhaps I should have. I guess I just want reassurance that yesterdays mating has every chance of success :-)

> should turn and stand bum to bum for the remainder of the tie.
>
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It is not always necessary for them to be back to back, side to side is just as good.

Side to side is also lots easier in toydogs where often one person does the mating alone.

If they ended up side by side they would have been tied. You can really only hold a dog in while he is on the bitch, I always do this as sometimes a bitch can take a few minutes to fully tie,if either move during this time there is a risk the dog will slip out. I'd say you've had a good mating and can happily leave it until Saturday.

Ok thank you everyone for your helpful advice and reassurance :-).Good to know they must have tied. I got the feeling the handler initially held them together to make sure as he felt we may have brought her a little early - hence why leaving it until saturday for a second mating.

Hi Cavlover  how did you get on with your second mating. Our girl was mated on the identical days to your girl so will be interested to see how you get on as i think we may have the same breed. When my girl tied she was side by side for 10 mins the first time and 15 mins on the second mating.more than enough time for the sperm to reach the tubes

Hi katiecat, second time we got a brilliant mating with a 35 min tie so I couldn't really have asked for anything better :-). Funnily enough they tied side by side stood up initially, but then as tie went on they both lay down side by side - never ever seen that before, but they were both very relaxed ! Let's hope we will both be hearing the patter of tiny paws soon ! Will keep you posted :-)

Mine lie down side by side and as the males are longer in the body he is giving her kisses which I think is so cute.

Ah that is very sweet :-)