Well as the saga continues we seem to have had relative success in terms of i am almost positive the mating has occured i held him still after he finished thrusting, only as he went to turn he popped, from what i could feel anyway it is so hard when you are on your own, is this normal and are there any ways i can stop this happening ?

I know that with some breeds you don't sometimes get a tie, which is why the males are held in place for at least a minute to ensure that Sperm is transfered so to speak. During the tie it is usually Prostatic fluid that continues to be ejaculated in bursts. This helps fuel the sperm, as they have a long journey in the lo9ng canine reproductive tract.

Hopefully you may get a mating with a tie next time, which is more satisfactory, but not strictly necessary, as long as he has ejaculated, and remained in contact with the bitch for a reasonable time, at least a minute or two.

I had eight pups from a slip mating. As long as the semen gets into the vagina, you have a good chance. I sympathise. I often get stuck with doing matings on my own, but its better that trying to do a mating with someone who gets either squeamish or embarrassed. One mate of mine passed out when the dog withdrew!!! She said shed never imagined Sams willy was so big. As he is a min dachshund, Ive never let her fella live it down.

LOL @ Jane....

I know of a litter of 12 and it was a slip mating between sire & dam, so fingers crossed!

Well I would hope it was between sire and dam, and not two of same sex, lol! Now if it was two of same sex you would make a fortune!

Cheeky....;)

Well i had some one who knew what they were doing so to speak come round and do the mating again wse only managed a slip mating and i felt re assured that i was doing everything right so to spek and it was not just me ! Unfortunately the bitch in question tends to wriggle her bum around which is why the slip matings have occured also she is a lot bigger than him. Anyway i am not holding out too much hope so what will be will be but i will keep you all informed. Thanks for the advice i have certainly learnt alot the past 2 weeks, among most things that my other half is bloddy useless when it comes to helping finds the whole thing distastful !