How long and at what stage of a bitches season should she be separated from other bitches, to safe guard against aggression caused by the change in hormones

never separated any of mine ever

I’ve never had to separate mine even when one was pregnant. Both have just been in season at the same time and no problems whatsoever.

Although I usually kept back two bitches from our litters, I never had to separate them - I wish I could post photos because I have one of my two Camelot litter lying with their heads together.

I did have a male I'd kept back who I had to home when he was being naughty starting fights with his uncle when coming up on two.

HOWEVER, when my girls were in season, they had to be away from the rest, males (obviously) and females but not to prevent fighting (bitches).  But mine was a breed that wasn't given to scrapping.   Separating the one in season was just to keep them away from the rest at that time because we had entire males and unless retired when they'd be spayed, entire bitches too,  it was easier.

You're more likely to have problems if you separate and then reintroduce.

My two have just both been in season.  No problems.  They are mother and daughter though and it was daughters first season.  Mum still cleans her lots so that's a bonus!

I would only separate if a problem arises

I think this must be very breed related, what breed do you have? Most breeds would not need to be separated at all but I do know of someone with feisty terriers that has to separate his bitches in season, but then his dogs seem to fight because it's a Tuesday, or there's a y in the month anyway!

DanDan: separating bitches in season.

My girls don't fight at any time and when in season they tend to be only interested in the different smell and on occassion become sexually attracted to each other.  No aggression so no need to separate. (2 different breeds mixed).  Hope this helps

Have had up to 6 bitches of my breed and up to 3 in season together, and never needed to seperate.

So if they normally get on, then no need.

On the otherhand if you notice any bickering a reprimand or time out may be appropriate, or if games of 'trains' become a nuisance.

Game of trains I couldn't help myself I nearly choked on my tea.
I never needed to separate mine either.

'games of 'trains' become a nuisance.

This brought back memories ! There were six girls all in a train humping each other-the 'engine' being the girl in season. Wish I'd taken a photo.

So my question is not IF . I should seperate .
It is at what point in a bitches cycle are they most likely to have hormonal changes that could lead to agression

DanDan:  Everyone has answered your query...you don't have to separate them....aggression between bitches in season & not is almost zero!  Hormones in season don't increase the chances of agression.  If your bitch in question and in season was agressive before then she shouldn't be near any other dog - male or female!

Well that's a bit impossible to say DanDan. Because if you have a bitch that becomes aggressive when in heat, it will probably be when she becomes fertile (well, it could be all the way through the season, but assuming it's not). And we all know how hard it is to tell exactly when a bitch is fertile. Hence the existence of progesterone tests, saliva testing and reading the moon.

DanDan:>
1234's comment:  And we all know how hard it is to tell exactly when a bitch is fertile

Fertile or not, never had a bitch in season become agressive to any other dog. Progesterone & saliva test every day from bloody discharge is noticed by all means.  if your question had been when is my bitch most fertile then the answer would have been between day 9 & 14.  Agression has never been something I have experienced during any bitch's cycle.  Hope this helps.

And with my bitches most have been fertile days 14 - 22.

>It is at what point in a bitches cycle are they most likely to have hormonal changes that could lead to agression

It's usually quite the opposite; as they reach the fertile time they become totally unaggressive because they flirt with anything, and the other bitches are more than happy to join in the game! The last thing the in-season bitch wants to do is drive other dogs - of either sex - away. Then as the season goes over they revert to their pre-season behaviour with each other.

Brainless: > And with my bitches most have been fertile days 14 - 22.

Strangely enough, I have one Lab who seems to have her 'acceptance' time split.  She is flagging day 9, has playtime with the stud for a few days (9-14) without a tie and makes it clear she doesn't want the whole act but then starts flagging again around day 18 when stud dog is present which I have ignored and haven't re introduced her .  Any ideas why?
Interesting you posted fertile days 14-22.

Not all bitches are the same.

I have never had a bitch conceive/whelp to a mating prior to day 14, and no maiden would allow mating before then. Until 2008 most were mated between days 14 - 18.

Then Myka as a maiden went to a mature male who had sired a litter 3 years earlier.

There was nothing beyond flirting, so on day 17 she was progesterone tested showing she was just approaching ovulation, was mated days 18 - 22 and produced 8 live pups and one stillborn, one of my largest litters.

She was similar timing for her next litters.

Her daughter for her 2 litters wasn't quite as late, but still not until day 16 onward.

Brainless:  > Not all bitches are the same.
My goodness.  Just shows the diversity in Breeding bitches.  I use progesterone pads from Laboklin to determine peak time but now wondering how acurate they are? Will certainly consider testing for an extended period.  Thank you for responding.

I have 4 bitches (Terriers) & have never had to split them while  they were in season, I wouldn't advise you split them up unnecessarily.

My two younger girls went through 3 or 4 seasons together and I didn't have to separate them, even though they're only a month apart in age and the older one was at the time, a complete psycho who kept attacking the other dogs in the household.  The only one she didn't was that other girl, and the seasons made absolutely no difference.