I am mating my maiden bitch for the first time. I took her to the stud dog on days 11,12 and 13 (today). She has stood for him each time, but they have not tied and he has had great difficulty actually getting himself inside her. He is constantly aiming too high up her body. After yesterdays failed attempt I bought her a muzzle as when we tried to help yesterday she growled at us. Today we used the muzzle and i held her still and the stud owner helped him in but it was literally for two seconds before it came out again (there was a tiny amount of blood also). She got quite upset with us trying to help, but she is more than happy to sit there for him by herself and let him try for an hour in the wrong place! He has produced 4-5 litters so far so has experience. I just don't understand why it is not happening? I am 99.9% sure I got day one of bleeding so she is day 13 today. I am going back tomorrow for one more try. Should we try to hold them together again or should we let nature takes its course? I know there can still be a pregnancy even if they don't tie but he doesnt not seem to be getting it inside her at all so how likely is it that she could actually get pregnant? Or I was wondering could she not be having a full season? She is standing for him no problem though. Do we keep trying for a few more days or just give up? Thanks

Have you checked her for a stricture?

>He is constantly aiming too high up her body.

Is she a little too short for him?   If so raising her up/giving her something to stand on may help? 

If not this and no stricture, she may just not be quite ready.  Some bitches will stand whether ready or not ;)

I too would say she probably isn't ready and the dog is just happy to mess about if she is willing to stand (he is quite young I assume), many older experienced males would not bother to waste their energy until needed, but young ones may enjoy the heavy petting.

Thanks very much for your replies. What is a stricture please and how do I check for it? I have looked it up on the web but it talks about esophageal strictures of the esophagus! So is it a blockage in the passage or a hymen? The Stud dog is 3 1/2 yrs old. I will see if the stud owner is happy for me to try for another couple of days then if you feel she may not be ready. They are miniature dachshunds so not the easiest of breeds to see what is happening! Someone else has suggested putting some vaseline on her. They are both very happy to sit there trying for a good hour, its just a shame it is not in the right place! Thanks for your help.

I certainly wouldn't be happy for him to be aiming in the wrong place for an hour it can make the males member incredibly sore even to the point of making it raw with blood at the tip. therefore unable to perform properly. if she is standing for him is she soft down below? I find if she's soft and ovulating he won't be hitting is against a wall and it would just slip in. Try a butchers block chopping board of sorts. A dog is only as experienced as his handler sometimes and he won't learn how to do it properly without the correct guidance. If it wasn't happening but all the signs are there then she's just not ready. Seperate them have a cuppa and a doggy chat then try again. When things just are not happening I keep hold of girl not severe restraints but just holding her square over one knee and see how he is for aiming. You can direct the Vulva and she can't crumble under his weight.

I have mini dachsies and it is hard to see what is going on especially in the longhaired version, I was lucky that the stud owners I used were very experienced, they could tell by looking at the girls if they were too early/late or spot on time.

The males can be slightly taller so put her back legs on a telephone book, make sure that what the male is stood on isn't slippy, breeders I know keep a rubber door mat for such occasions,

If he is still missing the spot put your hand under her belly then cup her vulva in your fingers and he should then follow your fingers to the right spot, make sure you keep them together this may be for the whole tie, longest I have observed has been 45mins, or he may move off to one side and they lay down till the tie releases them.

Here at home I stand on the stairs and the dogs are on the landing, I can then see what is happening and guide the proceedings.

If the stud owner has mated this dog before she should know how he is likely to react and trained him to be handled during proceedings.when I have gone to an outside stud the owners has taken over managing everything and provided I am present my girls have been happy to go with the flow.

Hope all goes well.

I hope both dachsies have been PRA cord1 tested and have good results.

Thanks very much for your replies, very helpful and you have given me some ideas to try tomorrow like standing her on a yellow pages etc, yes both dogs are PRA cord 1 tested by the Animal Health Trust :) I may go to the vets tomorrow to see if they can confirm if she has ovulated yet or not and they can see if she has the hymen still intact.

What happened.did you get a tie in the end?