i've got a german shepard bitch and a friend of mine has a dog, we have been putting them together all week as she is in her 14th day of season and although he shows great interest and seems to know what to do, he just can't get it in side her (sorry to be graphic). I have tried to guid him in but as soon as i touch it he seems to get a little over excited. What can i do as im running out of time.

Are both the dog and bitch maidens? ie Have either of them ever been mated before?
Its not always straight forward to get a mating from a dog who has never been used at stud before, if he's used on a bitch which hasn't been mated before. Its always better to for first timers to have an experienced match.
On the other hand if he is experienced, then he will know when the bitch is ready. Is she willing to stand for him?
You could try putting your hand between her back legs, from her tummy side, and gently push her vulva up to meet him, this way you aren't interfering with him !!
Good Luck

I had similar problems trying to get my maiden champion bitch mated to her maiden suitor at Christmas, ended up with the dog ejaculating outside the bitch.

We ran out of time, and are going to try them again when she comes in season. this time I will be having premate tests, and if we are sure that we are going to get knowhere then will take her to an alternative proven stud. Can't afford to wate another season, as she is coming up to four.

Is your friend helping you breed these two dogs? Big dogs who have never been breed before can be a problem because they kind of have the idea but aren't quite sure. What happens is a whole lot of play. Let them play a bit to get excited. Also if you have watched the bitch and know the exact date she came into season, mark it on your calendar. With my Wire Fox Terrier bitch this rule of thumb worked wonderfully, breed on the 10th, 12th and 14th day from the start of the season. This does not work for all breeds but it is a starting spot. It gives the male a rest inbetween matings to recoup especially if he has never been used at stud before.

Now the breeding: If you make sure each dog has a buckle collar so you have something to hang onto, and also a long leash on the male if he will settle with it being there. First time stud dogs quite often much more comfortable if their owners are around with the bitch's owner but nobody else.

Hold the bitch and let the male sniff at her. If they want to play, let them do that. Once it looks like he wants to mount her, grab ahold of her collar so she will stand still. A muzzle maybe needed for the bitch. Some of the gentlest bitches can be nasty when bred. We don't want anyone bitten. A simple one is a clove hitch (see Boy Scout Knots on how to make). Another person suggested pushing the Vulva out toward the rear and up making an easier target for the Stud. Talk gently to your bitch to keep her calm.

As the Stud mounts have its owner remove the leash if its still on. Use a lot of gentle, encouraging talk since he won't let you assist. Once he feels calmer he may get penetration. Only try a few times before you give them a rest to try another day or even possibility later the same day.

If all else fails, before you start this process find some one who is an expert at doing artificial insemination and is available to you. This is only a suggestion. It may or may not be an alternative in this situation.

Margaret

Margaret,
Please do a Search on this Forum for the UK KC rules on AI.
:)

Jeangenie:

I put in the sentence that articifical insemination: " May or maybe not an alternative in this situation." because of different national kennel club rules. I live in Canada so here and in the United States AI has been accepted.

Fair dos! I often (wrongly) assume that everyone is in the same country!
:)

Hi Margaret,

Where abouts are you in Canada? Sorry off topic.

Pam

Edited to add sorry Margaret I see it is ALberta, I was born in St Cathrines , Ontario and am coming out shortly for a few weeks to Edmonton.

Hi Pam!

I'm from Lethbridge, Alberta. When I was able to have dogs I showed and bred Wire Fox Terriers and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers under the Rockyford prefix. Since I had to move into an apartment, I have no dogs of my own but assist a girlfriend with her Standard Poodles.

Margaret :) Canada

Hi Margaret, Quite found of Wire fox myself , nearly got one a while back.

Pity about the showing but glad you can support a freind.

I will fly over you in a few weeks, take care.

Pam

Hi did you manage to get them mated ? :)

Hey Kate,
Unfortunatly not but i am planning on trying again next season although that will be the last time i try. Hopefully it will work and all will be well.
Cazza

Well I am waiting on my bitch coming in season any time now to try again. Wish me better luck this time :D

hi cazza....shepherds are the most inept breeders sometimes.hopefully you have had the hips and elbows checked on both.....depending on their topline you may have to do varios lift and thrust techniques,and you have got to keep her tail out of the way.,sometimes we put them on a slight down slope............if not a.i.s with fresh collected semen works very well.surely they let you do that there.either way pull progesterone

Hi Kelly,
Fresh collected semen is a huge no-no with the Kennel Club. If the dog and bitch are both in the same country it's got to be done 'properly' or not at all!
:)