female dog has been in season for 5 days, male dog is tryeing to mount her all the time have got him outside in the kennel but hes howling the place down is it ok to let them just get on with it as early as this or should i keep them sepreated for longer?
what day do they ovulate on?

Ovulation varies between bitches, and from season to season in the same bitch. The only sure way of knowing is for the vet to take a blood sample every 48 hours. Generally about day 12 is average for mating. Keep them apart till then.

If you don't know even about ovulation, what are you doing mating your dogs and breeding a litter.  Surely you could at least have read a few books?

God, I am starting to sound like some of the people who often give sharp replies on these boards, but I can now understand why.

;) pjw

You didn't say what breed they are?

You shouldnt "let them get on with it" at any stage!!! Matings should be supervised or one or both could be injured.

This is why most breeders don't keep their own stud dogs - the howling and whining happens all the time they are not together & you can never risk "leaving them to get on with it" , they may seriously damage themselves or each other, you will not know if the mating has successfully taken place & you won't know when any puppies are due to be born. As you are discovering, breeding is not just a matter of getting a dog & bitch & putting them together.

So IF they have puppies, are you going to let the dam "just get on with it"???? Have you not read any books, spoken to any breeders, even considered this seriously? I am outraged that you have such an irresponsible attitude. I don't suppose you have even considered the stress that you are putting on these two dogs.

I get the feeling that there is a lot of WUM's about at the moment, what with this and the Shar Pei posting!!!!!

Its the dark nights---was the same last year too remember,