Hi Someone has probably covered this somewhere so i' sorry to repeat but need advice. I have a 13 month old bitch she is now spotting and this is her second season though we are very novice still at this season as usually had boys, how do we guess when her season started and when it ends? the main problem is we are going on honeymoon in two weeks and the people taking her have an in tact boy although he's 12 I'm sure he's probably very capable still!
Many thanks

Normally the first time you se spots of blood is day one, but depends on how obserant you are.

Usually a bitch will show other signs before this.  Often weeks before she may we smal amounts more to advertise her impending availability, and her vulva will swell.

At this stage I would be checking with a white tissue rubbed against her vulva for the first colour, and time her season from that.

An average season is 21 days though many bitches have been mated and become pregnant after this so it is best to keep her well away from entire males for four weeks from first signs of colour.

Ifshe has only jsut started then she will be at her most receptive when you plan to go away, and I would suggest putting her in boarding kennels that take in season boarders.

Hi thanks, we can't say we are massive on the observant as her first season although she was swollen, and that was our only sign. she showed no blood at all we think she has been bleeding for about 3 days now, but cleans herself and there is very little show. sorry this is a bit complicated as she is staying first with mother in law (to be) but for the final 3 days will be with friends (the one with male) can I just run these figures From 3 days ago till holiday is practically 3 weeks and she will then be in a "safe house" for 11 days so she should be fine on that calculation??

Many thanks for you help

In your first post you say you are going on hols in 2 weeks, and in your second post you say "practically 3 weeks"including the estimated 3 days since starting the season. I dont want to sound pedantic but you need to count the days precisely as a few days here or there can make a big difference   If you take 3 days ago as day 1 of the season, that makes day 1 the nineteenth of October.
Add to the three days  the EXACT number of days until the holiday, and then the 11 days at your MIL and then you will know what day of her cycle she will be on when she goes to the male dogs house. As you havent given the exact number of days, I cant be very precise for you, but if it is 14 days to your hols she will be on day 17 when you go, and on day 28 when she goes to be with the male.
now a season is said to be 21 days but a bitch can conceive after this in some cases, particularly if there is some doubt on the start date. Now I do allow my boy and girl together under direct supervision from about day 25, but I observe very closely, and she wears a pair of knickers in case of accidents.  I would NOT personally be happy to leave someone else in charge of supervising at such a delicate time, and would recommend that either you get your friend to agree to total separation of dog and bitch OR  make alternative arrangements.
If it is longer to your hols than the 14 days, then you may be more confident.
That is why you need to be date specific.

Thanksf or the replies, In my first post i was just getting the info, as such. So in the second, as it was quite a close run thing I was trying to get a more presise idea. We think 3 days so yes the 19th and we actually travel on the 8/11 she will then go to our friends on the 20th november for the 3 days or the kennels as you have suggested. we had already made the plan based onwe beleived her season was due. She is far better with people she knows than at a kennels as last time we went away for a weekend she refused to eat. She will be on that calculation 33 days from her start and yes it is close hence our concern, and as you say, We would not wish  to put that responsibility on our friends. Its just unfortunate that my mil is also going on holiday for the last 3 days of ours, hence the going to a friend/or kennels.

On day 33 I would be slightly less concerned, and if you are still worried about kennels she would probably be ok at your friends provided they were separated unless directly supervised.

I would be booking kennels too as I would not like to lay this responsibility on someone else other than a professional kennels I'm not sure I would trust anyone else either :).  They will not be too busy this time of year so you should be able to find space.