Just had our bitch tested and told she was ready NOW! (8/9 days) Took her for mating last night but although she was standing very well, male was only 75% interested. to be fair he is an older dog and in the end I think got exhausted trying. Couple of near misses so decided to try again today. Question I have though is that I have a proven stud dog at home who is not interested in her whatsoever. usually if a bitch is ready he is rampant. Can it be that although she is ready her body is not putting out much in the way of pheromones to interest the dog. she has not had a litter before and her mother was difficult to get in whelp.
thanks in anticipation
Sue

Two of my girls were recently in season, we also have an entire dog, he only showed interest in one of the girls, although the other was at her peak, he just walked away.  Took her to stud and they mated no trouble, stud dog definitely interested.

I'm sorry to say but I don't trust these premate tests, our girl got pregnant back in the summer 7 days BEFORE the premate said to go NOW!  We took her hoping she was ready, she was giving all the signs, the stud dog - very experienced also told us she was ready, although the blood test said retest in 4-6 days.......if we had waited we would have missed.

I normally take my girls to stud around day 11+ if I took mine on day 8/9 it would be just a little too early, I know each bitch is different,  try her again today he may be a bit more interested.

Good luck!

thanks Sharon
I have never used the tests before just my own opinion of wneh was right time. Never got it wrong yet but as her Mum was so difficult and in view of the chosen dogs age really did not want to miss it. I am fortunate in that I can have as many matings as possible so will see what today brings.
Sue

I have never used a PreMate test on either on my bitches I have been guided by their own behaviour when they are in season.   I mated Asti on Day 13 of her season to my own dog - litter of 14.   With Miranda, she again was mated on Day 13 for both litters (Outside stud) and again had 14 in each litter.    I am not opening up a book for litter size guesses if Mia is ever mated!  :D

I'm sorry even though I'm young I'm of the old school why mess with nature?  Many of my SWD's have not been mated until day 18 , with me worrying more and more by the minute but they've always taken.  I've never even scanned any of my dogs either.

I have used Pre-mate tests a few times and have found them most unreliable, mainly because the information you are given by your Vet is inaccurate.   My current Vet - who is a dog breeder and exhibitor herself says the only reliable test is for Progesterone levels, and I'm planning to use this next time I breed a bitch.

The test I actually had done was a swab which was sent away and cells looked at under microscope. did try mating but dog was reluctant so will try again tomorrow.

That is cytology and not premate. :D

I don't think the test says they are ready now..

The only way you can get that interpretation ( that is what it is ) is if she had a test before and it was light blue or pink then it went to the white/clear so you know she is ready..

The ready colour is the same as the gone over colour if that makes sense.

For the test to be successful and they are really successful IF DONE correct.

You need to get her tested just before she is ready..

Some tests are pink and some are blue but for example.. my vets.. test around day 7 if it is very dark we know she is quite a few days away..if it is quite light we know it is roughly in the next 48 hours, when you get the clear ready you know they have peaked. If you go for the first test and it is clear you cannot 100% ascertain if she is ready or went over..

Hope that makes some sense.

The test is good infact very good but you have to have someone that understands them doing them..

Yep to be accurate you need a series of tests at least one before.

Based on a stud dogs previous behviour towards my reluctant bitch I premated my girl on day 10  (otherwise they prefer about day 7 or 8).  t6he result was nearly, so another test next day, still nearly, next day showed she had reached the point of ovulation (day 12).  Tried her wtih the dog from day 13 to early of day 15 not go.  Took her to different stud and he got lucky at the end of day 16 (going over as 4 days since ovulation) when he sneaked up behind her.  She whelped a small litter about 4 days early which rather confirmed the fact that she only just caught at the tail end of the fertile period.