Are bitch has just come into season she nearly 4yrs old !! she had matings to 2 differant stud dogs both proven but no pups! but has phantoms. she mate ok the vet said they can't seem to find anything wrong ! question is that yesterday my other bitch keep licking( then got trembling lips)  the bitch that has just coming to season but blood only showed today!! so should i count yesterday even there was no blood or today after seeing signs of blood as 1st day season ? plus we will also be trying ovulation pads as well today! any tips appreciated

Well, I used to check with a white tissue and the day it showed colour I called day 1 - but I am not that experienced as I now have dogs and not bitches.

From the first day of red/ pink blood I call day one, sometimes there can be a  pale browny discharge for a day before.

If you have failed before I would have her progesterone tested with idexx and consider the CHV vaccine after mating.

I always count the day of the first "show" as day one.  I realise that it totally depends on breed, but at 4 years old, this would be way too old for a first litter for any of mine (I have my breed spayed at 4.)

If you do a search, you will find that many of us will tell you to throw the ovulation pads!  Sorry, but they're rubbish.  :-(

If you are determined to use them, please be careful not to scratch her vulva - they can be pretty lethal.