She has just started bleeding today! Can't believe it! Don't know why as we've been waiting for ages. I hope her recent behavioural issues are down to this. I guess from now I need to walk her away from other dogs? We went up onto Salisbury plain at dusk tonight and she had a good run, you can see for miles and so can see if people/dogs are around. Can't believe she's growing up!
Aww...Maisie! All grown up! Good luck Frankie - keep on dog watch - eyes in the back of your head stuff
Well she is a grown up lady now. Watch out for those boys! Hope she is soon feeling better and more like her old self.
The time to really start watching out will be in about a week, Frankie. Don't be fooled if the bleeding almost stops at around that time or changes colour - it's one of the signs that her fertile period is just about to start. Your girl, all grown up!
Obviously I know nothing first hand of this Frankie....but when their setter bitches had seasons my Parents always got up at the crack of dawn (hmmmmm history has repeated itself somewhat I think !) and walked somewhere really quiet and had them on lead or walked really late at night if it was a lead walk locally.I guess Maisie is safe from running away because she is on the lead but she is going to have an effect on other dogs you meet and you can't have control those scenarios....Speaking for myself I'd be a bit nervous I think .....I don't know ,let's see how other members have managed x
During Molly's 2 seasons I put her in the car and drove to areas where people don't tend to dog walk, such as places with sheep, and I kept her on an extending lead. As we're only minutes from the beach I also went there at 6am but still kept her on lead to be absolutely sure. I did this for 3 weeks from first seeing blood (and managed not to meet any other dogs.) Like Maisie, Molly had a late first season (11months) and then didn't have her next for another 8 months.
You will be ok to walk her on the lead for the first week Frankie, but you may get followed by male dogs. After the really fertile period you can probably walk her again on the lead - it all depends how many intact male dogs there are around. Early mornings and late evenings are a good idea, and if possible walk with someone else and have a spare lead handy in case you get followed by an amorous dog! Honestly, it's not as awful as people think, and three weeks pass quickly. Just make sure your garden is secure!
During Holly's season we went out early, before the other dogs were up and about, and went to places where dogs were uncommon. We also kept her on a lead.
I walked Harley on the roads by me when she was in season. I walked her around 10am or 2pm as the early dog walkers had gone, lunchtime walkers had gone and too early for evening walks. I learnt this by watching trends by me. I never let her off lead at all just incase. We did go to a field once where you can see a long way all around, but still kept her on a long line as I didn't want to take any risks. I found Harley went quiet, could seem 'sad' some days and didn't want to play much, so could be the same for Maisie?? Your girl is growing up .
Oh bless , proper lady now I used to get up really early to walk Millie before anyone else was around , like Ternaya I also used a long line just in case , it will soon be over .
Midge went off her food too and was a sad girl, I was worried about her. it was hard to see that she would try to eat and then she looked at the food as if it sickened her and would stop eating. I spayed her after her 2nd season as it seemed to make her quite ill.
