Well, my baby has finally grown up today and at 14 months she is having her first season.
She is a bit quieter than usual and just wants a warm knee to sit on.

The dog trainer says that it is OK to keep taking her to classes, but I am concerned about winding up the males and her catching an infection so I am not going to go.

Is there anything I need to do different now that she is in season, and how long should I keep her in ?

My girl is 14 days into her 1st season. I never took her to ring craft this week and I missed a show today. I've been walking her really early and only if hubby can come with me. No way would I be taking her where there are loads of other dogs - at training, they will not be paying attention - at a show, you wouldn't make any friends...it's just not fair on the bitch and the other dogs and owners - they pay money to enter and it is unfair for their  dogs to be distracted by an in heat bitch. I  have been told that she will be ok for our next show which is a champ show - she will be day 26th - but if she is bleeding, we won't be going :(

I've found her appetite has more or less gone so am having to tempt and cajole ;) She has been a bit grumpy with our boy today at times, then quite playful. Apart from keeping an eye on them at all times, separating as necessary - I haven't treated her any differently :)

She's 9 months old :)

I don't take my girl to any classes or shows when in season, like you say I think it's unfair on the boys and the unwanted attention could upset her.

I give my girl 4weeks befor going back to classes and shows. I do still walk her threw her season (I know some who say not to after the first week). I avoid areas where dogs are allowed off lead and spots where lots of dogs may be. Normals when not in season she gets two walks a day with off lead time in a field but when in season she gets a road walk into town where mum picks us up or two shorter road walks early and late as dogs are ment to be on leads by roads but of course some people still don't so you need to keep an eye out.

You may find she pees more, mine has to pee on everything when in season and sniffs alot more. Old blankets or towels are good to keep the sofa and your laps blood free.

We also have one of those bitch pants for when we can work take her to visit people without her bleeding on there floors.

But others than clean up and avoiding males I don't treat her any different.

Thanks for your replies.
I am still walking her, with hubby coming along just in case. There aren't any straying dogs around here so we should be OK. I don't feel that I can keep her in for 3 weeks.

I rang 2 vets for spaying prices today. The first one said £160, the second £102. How can there be such a difference ?!

Your lucky you'd be looking at £200 - £250 ordinary spay, and £100 more for laparascopic, for medium size bitch.