I have always had male dogs in the past, and now have my 1st bitch, a black labrador.  Having never owned a bitch before, I am anxious not to misjudge her 1st season, as we have a friend with a doberman male dog that is 1 month older than my lab, & we get together friends and dogs quite regularly.

She is almost 8 mths old now, the vet has told me to look out for her vulvor enlarging, which I have been checking, but have not noticed anything different.  However this morning, I did notice a few tiny drops of blood on the carpet.

I have also heard that they time that she can concieve is before the spotting, therefore does the spotting only happen after this time, or can it happen at any other time?

What I'm trying to ask is, has the danger period passed now??

I would appreciate your helpful advice.

Many thanks,

Cinder's mum

Hi Guest,

The vulva should be noticeably swolen when they come into season.  Also I'm pretty sure they can conceive any time through their season, so if she is bleeding now be sure to keep her away from any doggies.  Also I think the 'danger period' you refered to is when they stop bleeding because I think they can still be fertile for up to a week after they stop bleeding.  So you'll need to keep her away from her dobermann boyfriend for at least three weeks.

I'm not experienced in this though so if I've got any thing wrong I'm sure someone will correct me.

Karen

I am new to bitch ownership as well. I have found 'The Book of the Bitch' really useful and would recommend it to anyone who has, or intends to have, a bitch. It is available from http://www.amazon.co.uk

If she's started bleeding, then she's in season. Although it's most usual for the fertile period of the season to be from day 10 through to about day 14, bitches have been known to be successfully mated (by that I mean resulting in pregnancy) from as early as the 3rd day to as late as the 20th day of the season, so keep her away from all male dogs for at least the next 21 days, preferably 28 to be on the safe side. Again, with many bitches the discharge becomes lighter in colour around this time and some people say that's a sign of the fertile time, but this doesn't happen in all bitches, so don't be fooled! Don't even allow her into your garden unattended, and don't walk her anywhere that you're likely to meet male dogs. It's also sensible to carry her to the car and drive somewhere else for her walks, so that she's not leaving a treasure trail of scent leading right to your door!

also her moods may change a little during this period (sorry for the pun)
not all do but some.
Roni

Thank you for all your help.  I'm new to this site, & whilst waiting for your replies I managed to find the search option where I've been reading lots of previously listed advice.

The few replies I've received for my question, were to the point, & have definitely helped me in what to look for & when is safe for her to see her boyfriend again!!! 

As I said, I've not noticed any difference in her vulva, I noticed ages ago that it was bigger than when she was younger & it seems to have stayed the same for the last couple of months or so, so presume it will get bigger still in the next week or so?

I will see what she is like when I get home.

forgot to add remember to mark the date of her first "show" to give you an indication when her next season will be.
Roni

If it's literally only one or two drops it might just be a touch of cystitis, but it probably is her season. I thought my puppy was coming in a few months back as there was one tiny smear on her bits, but the next day there was nothing, and she's still not come in at nearly 12 months! I've been told her bits are quite small anyway. :-)

I think it is definitely her season, as she has been bleeding now since Monday, does anyone have any ideas how long the bleeding will last for?

Possibly the full 21 days, especially as it's her first. All bitches are different, and the fertile period varies too. Keep her away from other dogs for 28 days after you first saw the blood.

Hi Sally,

blood show can vary quite widely from bitch to bitch - some will continue to bleed to a degree throughout the entire season.  To be on the safe side, count Monday as day 1 and regardless of whether she continues to bleed keep her entirely separate and safe from other dog encounters up to at least day 28 ;)  Remember that dog proofing your garden area will require that she is equally unable to escape from it as other dogs are to enter it. 

Vigilance, by EVERYONE in the household, is key during seasons and although rough guidelines of days 11-15 being the most likely time for a bitch to stand, I've personally known bitches mated as early as day 3 and late as day 25.

HTH, Teri :)  

My garden is quite secure, is she likely to try to escape or for other dogs to break in?  I've not seen other dogs around where I live, apart from the ones that live further up the road and are always walked past on a lead & there aren't any in the connecting gardens.

What I do know, is I'm getting a sore bum sitting in the kitchen/diner with her every night.  Our lounge is upstairs, and obviously I want to keep her on the wooden floor downstairs at the mo, but don't want to leave her on her own to get bored, so I'm staying downstairs from getting home from work till going to bed so she has my company.

I'm just looking after my baby...

Other dogs are certainly likely to try to break in - a 6-foot solid fence isn't secure enough. Very many litters are sired by Romeos who can jump! Never allow her outside unattended when she's in season - anywhere!

I used to put the chair cushions inside bin bags and then have lots of towels on the top so we could all still be comfortable. :)

Totally agree with JG :D  My neighbour's dog is a tiny terrier cross - a sort of chunky JRT but black and curly coated (hmmmm, lovely )  Anyway, he can get over our 6 foot fence from a standing jump - sort of like Zebidee / Tigger - definitely every chance in the world he'd get my girls in a nano-second.  Luckily he now lives with their son and I let them know the "danger zone" times so he isn't brought along to visit ;)

100% vigilance, 24/7 every day of the month I'm afraid - the drive to procreate is remarkably strong in some (not me :D )

Teri ;)

>Our lounge is upstairs, and obviously I want to keep her on the wooden floor downstairs at the mo,

Can't you get a bean bag bed/ cushion for her or a cheap mat for her to lie on in the lounge?  You're legs will have seized up entirely before she's out of season never mind having a sore bum LOL :P

Hi Sallypigott,

My bitches 1st season lasted 25 days, I put down lots of old sheets and towels on my lounge carpet so that she wasn't excluded from being with us, I just washed them every other day to keep them kind of fresh smelling.

I'll give that a try, I did do that last night, but she wouldn't sit still & I was constantly worried she'd step off the edge of a towel, as our lounge & stairs carpet is cream (of all colours).  Couldn't find enough old towels & was worried any drops wouldn't wash out properly of the newer ones.  I'll get more out tonight....  This'll make some of you laugh, my mum advised putting her in an old pair of knickers, I found a black pair that wouldn't stand out too much (as she's black), cut a whole for her tail, she did look funny, only thing she managed to pull them off in about 5 mins & start chewing them up!!!

You can buy hygiene pants from pet shops, I think I will probably do that for my bitch if she ever comes in season. My OH is very houseproud and he would forbid her to come in the lounge if there was any risk of blood spots. And if she isn't in the same room as us she would whinge for 3 weeks! :-D

I think I'd be more likely to make the lounge out-of-bounds for everyone, OH and all, if that was the case! ;)

My girls go everywhere indoors as usual - only restrictions are on what they can get up to out of doors (not a lot!).  I know some folks use these things but can't say I've had bitches to date that weren't super hygenic and just as house proud as me ;)  OH would be ousted before them if he said a word - but then he wouldn't, he's their main lap to cuddle up on :D

PS - towels on the furniture or rugs are great! ;)