I have been keeping an eye down there! - She is much more reluctant to sprawl out for a tummy tickle - but there is no sign of anything happening.
I think she is waiting until we are in a caravan at Hastings in March - just my luck!!!

Actually I think they plan it that way! I've had to come home from several holidays in days gone by. This is the time for a daily wipe with a toilet tissue to see if theres anything showing.

Regards, John

Thanks for the toilet tissue tip John.  She is our first puppy (had dogs as kids but don't remember seasons - suppose we never had anything to do with that side of things!) and are waiting in nervous anticipation for her first season as we don't really know what to expect.  We don't plan to breed so will book her in to be 'done' after her first time.

As you might expect, the discharge collects when she's laying down asleep and if you wipe her then she first wakes up and stands up then it drains out and you probably get the earliest warning.

When my bitches come into season I never walk them from the gate. I put them in the car, take them along the road a way then walk them from there. That way it breaks the scent trail to the gate. I also walk them on the lead around an industrial estate where I'm not likely to meet any dogs off lead.

A bitch, perfectly under control at other times can be very unpredictable when in season and will sometimes, if off the lead, clear off in search of a dog, so it pays not to take chances.

Regards, John