Well it has finally happened (after worrying since my pup was 6 month's old)My little girl has started(on the 10th of this month)But she seems to be whineing a lot much like a little gurning baby,is this normal?I am having no trouble seperating her from the boys so i am not worried about anything like that and she has my other female for company so she is not entirely on her own.But all i have to do is look at her and off she goes into this little whimpering baby.She is with me all day and the other dog but i feel so helpless for her is there anything i could do to help her through this?One more question is if she started on the 10th of this month will the 7th or 8th of next month be ok for her to go back near the boys or should i leave it a little longer?
Thankyou
Helen

Four weeks from when she started should be fine to go back with the boys.

the whining is quite normal as she doesn't know what is happening to ehr so is upset.  You need to not mollycoddle or sympathise with her.  Be upbeat and jolly hockey sticks :D

I always believe that a first season is a bit like a first period for a human & the bitches don't really know what is happening, her hormones could be all over the place(one reason never to breed on the first season)& hence the behaviour

As to when she can be with the boys again a month is a good idea as a friend had an OES who conceived on day 28 of her season afetr she had apparently finished ! It was a planned breeding & no accident BTW & was a good few years ago

I am trying to keep things as normal as possible.She is not a very soppy dog to begin with (unlike her brother)and she is not seeking attention more just whimpering.If a dog can concieve on day 28 what will be a safe time to keep her apart or is this just a one off thing with the OES,i really don't want to put her in a position to get caught.

A first season especially is very unlikely to be that protracted.  You will see everything settle down and her vulva will shrink down to noraml adult proportions (so not as small as she was before).

Thanks for that,i have to say she is not really swelling yet just blood drops.I am right to count this as a season aren't i?

Yes ....count the season from the first day of bleeding.
Cathy

The OES was unusual, she actually looked as though she wasn't in season any more but never stood for the dog until the 28th day after she started They had her spayed afterwards as they kept a dog pup & didn't want to take any risks.

Best keep them apart for 4 weeks then you should be ok Better safe than sorry

Hi,well my bitch will be on day 13 and there is still no swelling is this normal or will she only swell when she is ready (ie the days that would be for her to be mated)She is very clean and i have not seen any more blood from the first day.I am still keeping her apart from males and will do untill she is on day 28.Is this quite common for there to be no other sign's while in season?

Hello there ,seen as none answered i thought i would try again.(i have no intention's of breeding my girl)There is still no swelling or licking i am just a little worried that as there have been no other sign's of season except the blood drops.I am an avid reader of CD and am a little frightened that my bitch is not showing the usual sign's and i don't want to put her at risk.Can any one tell me this is normal for a first season or is it maybe my girl has not actually got her season ?Any advice here would be much appreciated because i am trying to do the best for my dogs but also think i might be a little aprehensive (sp) because i want the season over.

All I can say is bitches can vary a lot.  One of mien only bled a few drops and swelled very little yet was fertile, and ahd 3 litters.  Use a tissue and count 21 to 28 days from wehn you get teh first sisgn of blood.  If she is aroudn male dogs make it nearer 28 days that she is kept away from them.

Thankyou Brainless,will keep her away from the lads until 30 days from first blood drop just to be safe.

HI,well i finally let her near the boys today.They had a good old play and the boys took no interest in the girl who was in season(except for playing )They seemed more interested in the rear parts of my spayed bitch even though she has been with the boys through out my other girs season.They are smelling her piddle but that is about it.I am relieved it is over as i was panicing like mad,that i might have got it wrong.Thanks to every one who advised me.
Helen

Good all normal again until next time :D  If you were planning to get her spayed it shoudl be done in about 8 weeks time.