I have Molly booked for spaying in a couple of weeks but I think she's coming into season, she's got a bloody discharge and her vulva is swollen.... She's only just 7 months so I thought we had a bit more time. Anyway the question is how do we deal with the walking side of things? I can't imagine not taking her out for 4 weeks, I'm worried we are all going to go crazy! Any tips and advice appreciated, thank you.
Other, more experienced people, will be along to tell you whether there's times when the boys will be less interested in her, so whether you can be less wary of when and where you go then, but I think as a responsible owner of a bitch in season, you have to do everything you can not to cause issues for people's entire males. I say that as the owner of an entire male, so I may be a bit biased, but he's actually not bothered by girls in season, so I've never had any issues myself, even though he's met a couple. Number one rule, when out and about she must stay on lead. It's not just the boys you have to worry about running up to her; some bitches have the desire to chase the boys, too! Then, it's just about doing what you can to minimise the chances of disrupting others. That probably means very early and late walks, and/or go to places that you won't find other dogs. Use it as a training opportunity, so do lots of walks around the roads and work on her lead walking. I don't think seven months is remarkably early for a first season.
My Molly had two seasons before she was spayed and I walked her throughout them (our garden is too small to confine a dog for 3 weeks.) I drove to places where we were unlikely to meet other dogs and kept her on a retractable lead. I actually found several spots on the South Downs, away from the usual tourist places, where we didn't meet a soul. Actually, maybe you have the North Downs within reach? Obviously you'll ask your vet, but I was told that we should wait for 3 months after the end of a season before spaying - something to do with blood vessels needing time to get back to normal size IIRC.
When Harley had her first season we walked her at lunchtime and around 8/9pm as most people around here walk their dogs early morning and around tea time, and dog walkers do around 10/11am and around 2pm. We only walked on roads which really helped her lead walking around outer local area. We done a lot of training throughout the day to keep her mind busy. I brought a few treat finding games and puzzles which really helped. My vet also advises spaying 3 months after a season. Unfortunately we had to spay 3 weeks after her season due to pyometra which is rare in girls under 5 years old.
Thanks, I had a laprascopic spay booked and we've had to wait a while, just to long I guess! Will delay it for a while now. There is at least one place I know where we rarely see dogs, will just need to plan things more and also more training is a good idea, especially the loose lead training.
It'll be fine, don't worry too much. Walking her early in the mornings or late in the evenings is a good idea, and doing more training sessions than normal in the garden (if you have enough space) or in the house will help keep her occupied. You need to be especially vigilant at around 10 days once the bleeding seems to slow down and become more transparent; this does not mean that the season is ending, but rather that she is now in her receptive phase and will stand for a male dog. With lots of bitches, if you stroke them above their tails during this phase, they will push their bottom at you and flag their tail to one side; a sure sign now is the time to stay far away from all intact male dogs! You should be ok to walk her again normally after around 21 days from the first blood spots you saw, but all dogs are different and their cycles differ too. Be aware Molly might be a bit more clingy and needy than normal, or she might be a bit stand-offish... Again, they are all different, and with some dogs you see no difference to their normal characters during a season. 7 months is pretty normal for a first season. I think actually it's a blessing in disguise that this has happened, as she will have more time to mature before being spayed, although I realize it's a bit inconvenient for you! Three weeks will pass quickly. Honestly, it's not as bad as you might expect. I've been through lots of seasons with my girl (now 4 1/2 years old), and I now no longer see what all the fuss is about... Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.
Thanks that's really helpful. Today is the first day she's really been different, alternating from being clingy, restless and shattered. Bless.
