Yikes - OK , first ever mating tomorrow - any tips at all ??? p.s - is there a paticular etiquette ? i.s do I take choccies / flowers for the stud owner ?  - but most importantly - What can i expect ( I HAVE read BOTB cover to cover - just looking for extra pearls of wisdon)

hard to say as stud dog owners work different, just be calm and relaxed so your girl feels relaxed too, some stud owners like you to either be out the way until a tie or to watch the whole thing, so again just stay calm! Good luck for tomorrow :) x

Generally the stud dog owner makes the rules re the mating as they will know their dog best and how he works.

I would not allow any unreasonable restraint of my bitch though.  By all means gently hold her still or keep her from sitting, and hold steady in the tie which some bitches find very irksome.

It is quite usual for a bitch that isn't ready to air snap at the male, and eh will listen and back off.  when she is ready she may still have some maidenly reserve sending mixed messages, but should at least stand half heartedly though often not in the best position to help the dog. ;)

Have a good firm collar on the bitch, one she cant slip out of. You may have to hold a wriggley girl.

Stop a mile or so before the destination and let her relieve herself.

Take her paper work, any relevant health certificates and stud fee.

Take a camera and take a nice picture of the Daddy, people will want to see what he looks like.

Be really nice to the stud dog owner, you never know, she may end up being your mentor.

Good luck!

Relax and do as you're told, try not to engage in nervous chatter or giggling (oh sorry, is that just me? :-D ) But do relax or your girl will pick it up. Good luck!

I have just recently mated my youngest champion bitch.

She was absolutely ready and extremely willing, to flirt and be mated.

On the first occasion she was just extremely vocal in the tie, but the stud dog owner managed on his own (the dog was too distracted by my presence).

On the second occasion I watched from the house and as soon as I could see the stair climbing came out to assist.

The trouble started a few seconds after the dog had turned.

Then she really lost it, despite two of us she managed to roll in my arms onto her back, kicking at the dog with all four legs.  it was all I could do to get her back on her feet and had to hold on for dear life, because as soon as I relaxed my grip she was off again.

At no point was she aggressive to us or the dog, and he was quite unconcerned poor fellow.

I have to point out this was quite the extreme reaction.  I have had bitches dislike and be uncomfortable in the tie.

Strangely enough it doesn't seem to effect their willingness to repeat the encounter with the male.

Just to add to the others advice I would either telephone first or go in alone and ask the stud dog owner exactly how they manage a mating so you are 100% aware of your responsibility. Normally the bitch owner controls the head end and has a hand underneath during the tie if they try to sit down. You will be nervous/excited but try to be soothing by talking quietly to your girl, letting her know all is well.

You will also guage fairly quickly how your girl is going to act in the situation and react accordingly.
My girl screamed alarmingly whenever the stud tried to mount her ( both were maiden, it was a challenge!)
Good Luck.

Stop a mile or so before the destination and let her relieve herself.


I have been 'told off' by a studs owner for doing this - she likes bitch to relieve herself in their garden so stud has something to sniff before meeting the bitch.

All stud dog owners work slightly differently - just keep calm!

Good luck

I find it different every time a bitch is mated... but always heed the owner of the stud.. she knows how her dogs work... and many stud dogs behave differently

I have a laid back, sniff sniff, kiss kiss, lets go romp in the garden, 3rd date gentleman... I also have a " brace yourself, you've pulled, not so gentlemanly boy lol...

A good stud handler will tell you whatever you need to know and do, and an experienced handler will also be guided by your bitches behaviour on how to go about the handling of both her boy and your girl...

Talk the the stud owner, tell her you are nervous, she was once that novice person too...

Good luck

> A good stud handler will tell you whatever you need to know and do, and an experienced handler will also be guided by your bitches behaviour on how to go about the handling of both her boy and your girl...
>
>

Very, very true.

Oh goodness which stud dog owner would want the smell of in season bitch all over their grass...worse if they have more than one male.

Dogs sense of smell is about a thousand times more accute than ours so I would think the dog could smell her from that mile off.

I was also told that by an experienced stud dog owner:  She said that she likes the bitch to urinate there, as it gives the male something to sniff and get aroused by...

Oh goodness which stud dog owner would want the smell of in season bitch all over their grass...

Well, she is very experienced, so who am I to argue??

>Oh goodness which stud dog owner would want the smell of in season bitch all over their grass...worse if they have more than one male.

Absolutely. All the experienced stud dog owners I've known have asked me to make sure the bitch has wee'd and pooed shortly before we arrive at the premises.

What stud dog's going to take much interest in a smell on the grass when he's got the 'real thing' in front of him? :-D :-D