I need some advice about Molly.  She's having what I assume is her first season at almost 8 months and I'm not sure if there's anything I should be doing differently?

We noticed her digging in her bed a lot yesterday (doing this odd scratching with her claws) and carrying her furry snowman around everywhere with her.  At first thought she was just the usual crazy Molly, but then I thought she could be trying to nest or something??????  Then last night she jumped on the bed whilst I was downstairs and I heard horrified blood curdling screams (coming from the husband I might point out) as she had dripped a few spots of very pink blood on the brand new white cover!!!  We now think she probably started on Sunday as we have since noticed a few other smaller dried spots but she seemed fine and pardon me for this, but her bits don't look any different.

Anyway, much gushing and cooing about my poor little baby later she seemed ok, if a bit fidgety, and went off to sleep.  But this morning she won't do anything.  I took her downstairs (she sleeps with us) for breakfast but 5 mins later noticed she has disappeared - when I looked she was curled up on the bed (I have covered it by the way) and wouldn't budge.  Looking very, very sorry for herself.

So my question is - is she nesting, and if so, is this normal behaviour?  and also, how long should I now keep  her in for?  And is there anything I can do to make her less mopey?

Thanks

Yes, she's having her first season. She will be in season for approx. 21 days & the most important thing you must do is keep all male dogs away from her for the length of her season. She may or may not bleed right through her season, but normally this becomes less & paler around the middle of the season. Most bitches keep themselves very clean, but with the first season, some bitches don't know what to do & leave a mess behind!  Just because you stop seeing any blood doesn't mean that her season has finished. Her 'bits' will gradually swell & become softer as she becomes ready for mating - bitches will not accept a dog for the entire 3 wks, but since you don't know exactly when she will be ready, keep her away from males throughout.
You may find she seems somewhat preoccupied during her seasons - she may become downright disobedient & may try to escape from your property - depends how much of a hussy she is!!! I doubt if she's nesting - that usually comes with a phantom pregnancy, usually building up after she's been ready for mating & being at its worst when she would have whelped. She's worried because she knows she feels different (hormones!), but treat her exactly the same as usual, don't baby her & don't do anything differently from usual ( except keep her away from males). Be very matter of fact with her & try to distract her with a game or some training if she's moping.

Hi, thanks for the quick reply!

Do I then need to keep her in for 21 days from last Sunday?  Or did her season start before that day but only just shown signs?

She is being very clean (I think, although I have nothing to compare her to) as she is constantly licking herself, and as I said, it seems to have started at least 24 hours, if not more, before we even noticed.

A day or 2 either way doesn't really matter as bitches don't always go by the book - go from Sunday!! For the 1st week or so, dogs probably won't be interested in her. It really depends where you live, how many dogs you are likely to meet etc. If you don't meet many dogs, you could continue to exercise her for a week or so, but beware of loose dogs who can trail you home & set up camp outside your house for the duration!! It might be an idea to take her out in the car & exercise her away from home and other dogs. When she is a few days over her season, it might also be an idea to bath her to get rid of any lingering perfume!
The crucial week is usually the middle week, so be extra vigilent from about 10 days forward.
HTH

Hi Clare,

I just posted but then found yours. Lola my 8 month old Dobe started her season today. She is being a bit of a handful. She's fussing and being a bit naughty so I was really interested in your replies. I too am concerned at the thought of keeping her in for 21 days !!!! We'll all go mad :D
I'd be very interested to swap experiences - let me know how you get on.

What breed is your girl?
Lola so far, isn't keeping herself clean, she's oblivious to what's going on 'at the back end' but then we only noticed the 'season ' about an hour ago :D Instant panic !!!
:) annieee:)

Hi Clare and Annieee

I'm sorry, this might sound silly, but have you thought of taking your dog for walks instead?

My dog and my friends dog is going out on their walks even though they are in season, what else should we do?

Or have I misunderstood you, so that you mean you have kennels for the dogs? I donn't, I live on the third floor in an appartment, so my dog always goes for walks and when she, soon, comes into her first season, she will be on her leash if there's other dogs around!

You just have to be a bit more careful, is all.

Jeanette

You're quite right Jeanette. I've always taken in-season bitches for walks - not where I know there'll be lots of dogs, obviously, but they still need exercise. We've never had any problems with 'callers'. I don't think any dog has noticed, because friends with males in the vicinity have never mentioned it!

I take my in season bitches for walks around the streets, as in theory there should not be any off lead dogs for them to meet, as all dogs are required by law to be on lead on a public highway/road.  As I live in the City I do not have to worry about loose farmers dogs or the Hunt.

You can continue to give excersise if you choose the location carefully, much easier if you drive (unlike me who cannot due to visual disability).