Forgive my extreme ignorance, but this is my first time as a dog owner. She is an 8 month old Staff, and she has been behaving a little differently over the past few days, she is alot more grumpy than usual! Also, the area between her anus and her private little places :) looks kind of swollen, kind of like a sack! She seems to be licking herself alot too. I have not seen any blood as such ( should !?) but when she came in from having a wee in the garden there seemed to be a drip of pinky coloured watery fluid on her bits. Sorry to be so graphic! Is this her season?? And if not what should it be like, and how long should it last? Should I keep her in the garden or can I still walk her as normal?

Yes, she is in season. For at least the next 3 weeks be very very vigilant. Never leave her unattended outside, even in your own garden. Take her for as few walks as possible, and do not let her off the lead if there is even the slightest possibility of there being another dog in the area. Do not let her meet or play with other dogs - keep her apart as if either she or they had plague!

Certainly sounds that way. I check mine by wiping with a toilet tissue. Chose a moment when she first stands after a sleep. That way any discharge that has collected while laying still will drain out.

Regards, John

Am new to this list-just found it today-but I have Irish setters. Typically the bitches are in season for three weeks-one week pink/red, second week clear, third week pink and closing up shop. However, My bitch Jessica's mother got pregnant on day 21!!!! Different with each dog. My male, experienced stud dog-can sniff the first week and walk away-he knows she isn't ready but by second week he's VERY interested and all are seperated.

I have found two things that help a lot: chlorophylll tablets-assist in keeping the smell(which attracts the boys) to a minimum especially in week one and three. NOTHING helps in week 2! THat's the critical week!

I also went through the various dog pad and panty lines and frankly find that using little boys cotton pants from K-Mart or WalMart works best-The "opening" conveniently slips over your bitches tail-and keeps any blood from carpeting,etc....and you just take them off her when she goes outside and they wash easily-Easiest way to do it in my opinion.

Pat Boldt

Pat,

Are you in the US? I have heard from breeders in Canada that chlorophyll tablets help, they are taken by humans are a "natural" deodorant. But I'm not sure if we in the UK can buy them?

Yes-I'm in United States. Here we can buy them at just about any health food store or vitamin store. The chlorophyll works wonders-I couldn't live without it-I'm sure you could buy it on-line and ship it!

Chorophyll in tablet,capsule or liquid forms have been used for years in humans that have odor problems due to "openings" required after surgery. Forgive me-as I have forgotten technical lingo. The chlorophyll is a safe internal deodorant basically. I start my girls on 2 tablets-AM & PM and during 2nd week go to a third midday. My girls weigh about 65 pounds each-Irish Setters.(Take a look at my website!)

I have also found having multiple dogs-that when I need to "identify" stool samples-the chlorophyll makes a lovely green tint and assists in determining which dog di what! LOL

PAT

Yes, Lily, you can get them in most pet shops.
:)

Lily you can buy chlorophyll tablets in health food shops they are also used as breath fresheners for people.:) Gillian

You can also buy Bitch Deodorant Tablets (chlorophyll) from most pet shops although the ones in the health food shops are probably cheaper :)

Regards
Dill

do they really work if the bitch and dog live together?or are they just for deterring other dogs on walks etc.I can't imagine my randy dog being fooled by anything, he has to be kennelled when my bitches are in season:)

You're right, the chlorophyll tablets and deterrent sprays don't work if the dog and bitch live in close proximity. They're fine if you have just bitches.........
:)

Actually , I think they still help a lot. I have 2 males and three females and the chlorophyll helps even in close proximity for especially the first week. Second week-forget it-nothing works!

Pat Boldt

so how do you keep your dogs apart when your bitches are in season or do you breed them?

Some people send the in-season bitch to boarding kennels, others send the dog to kennels. Some people have an outdoor kennel for this time. Others keep the dog and bitch in different parts of the house. As long as they are never in the same room as each other while the bitch is in season she can't get pregnant!