Hi everyone. I posted before about Buffy's nervous phase that she went through a couple of months ago where she would lunge on the lead and bark at other dogs. Well, with a bit of time and work she was doing so well, she was way more confident and wanted to make friends with everyone (people and dogs) instead of barking at them. And then a couple of days ago she started barking like she used to! Even little noises she hears outside the house- car doors etc. We noticed that she has come into season (bit earlier than I expected, she is not quite 7 months old) so I'm guessing this is a hormonal change? Are things likely to go back to the way they were when her season is finished? My other question is how do I approach this. Obviously I don't want to let her run around off lead with her usual gang because one of them is an entire male. I could take her round next door to play with their spaniel bitch. Should I take her for on-lead walks around the block? I've read mixed advice about whether or not I should take her out. I live in an area where every other house has a dog so our chances of not seeing another dog are very slim. If she sees another dog she barks like mad and bounces around on the end of the lead (and we would happen to bump into the vet nurse with her dog yesterday evening *sigh* ). If I don't mix her with other dogs will she become nervous around them again? I was trying to do a lot of socialising with her and it was going well, so I'm keen not to mess things up! Thanks for any tips.
I'm a bit biased here...because I have an intact male. I think it's sensible that you exercise a bitch in season on lead, in areas where you won't meet off lead dogs - street walks and pavements I'd say. If that sounds like stating the bloomin' obvious, you wouldn't believe how many off lead bitches in season I meet! Play dates with other bitches in gardens sounds like a great idea too. I honestly do not believe a well socialised dog comes to any harm being isolated for a little while, certainly not for just the few weeks for a bitch in season.
Ditto JulieT, we have an intact male, now just over 2 years old, very well behaved.....but if he picks up the scent of a bitch in season he is impossible and has reduced me to tears when he has run off, I have no doubt he would cross over a busy road to get to one, and yes we do meet them on our walks too! I can't really offer any advice, lead walking in quiet times where if you do meet other dogs they will be on lead, and maybe lots and lots of training in your garden, house Good luck though, I hear it can be pretty miserable for both bitches and owners!
I had Juno spayed before her first season by choice and with veterinary advice but with previous family bitches we couldn't walk them along pavements etc because of meeting lots of entire dogs. If you can take her somewhere very quiet it would be great but be aware that dogs can suddenly appear regardless of where you are and her recall may not be quite as good as normal. We usually kept our dogs in rather than risk the walk and the interest of entire dogs and had lots of pay in the garden. A few weeks of not going out never harmed them and that was in the day when we didn't talk about the importance of socialisation for our puppies.
Thank you all for your advice! I definitely don't want to make life difficult for other dog owners. One of Buffy's friends is a little terrier, he's elderly but he's obviously still got lead in his pencil because I've seen him take off across the field after a bitch. Very frustrating for his owner! It's only temporary so I'll try to keep her in and keep her entertained. I will pop next door after lunch and see if she's allowed round to play. Thanks for the reassurance about socialising. We were trying really hard because of her nerves and I would love to not be back at square one again! I'm sure once she comes through this she'll be back to her usual happy self. Better go, I've got lots of floor cleaning to do!
When Harley was in season I tended to come home at lunchtime or around 3pm as people rarely walked their dogs at these times near where we live. I only done on lead walks and nowhere near any off lead places. I did do a lot of training at home during this period and it actually helped make our bond stronger and our training became more fluid
I must say we do walk Poppy during her seasons, and I even let her off the lead in areas and at times where it is unlikely we will meet other dogs. However, she has had several seasons now, and I recognise the signs regarding when she is at her most fertile and likely to accept advances from a male. Taking Buffy for a play date with another bitch is a good idea - but keep it to one other dog at a time. You'd be surprised how the hormones can make them act a bit out of character! Also, don't be shocked or surprised if Buffy wants to hump the other dog - that is also normal... Like Naya, we do a lot of training during Poppy's seasons, as she is more concentrated on us while she is working. I find that hiding several dummies in the garden and sending her to search for them one by one is a good game that exercises both her body and her mind, so even on the days we can't go out, she is still occupied and doesn't get bored. Good luck - it only lasts three weeks, and will soon be over.
I'm managing to keep her occupied with kongs, training games and scattering kibble in the garden. So far she doesn't seem that bothered about not going for walks. How will I know when it's safe to let her run around off lead at the park again? Thanks!
After about 10 days she may stop bleeding - don't be fooled, this will mean she is coming into her most fertile period. To be absolutely sure, the best thing is to keep her on the lead or not take her to the park until 21 days after her season started.
Hi, the first sign that Riley is coming into season will probably be the drips of blood you see on the floor. Prior to that you may notice changes in her behaviour (like pre-menstrual tension in a human), or you may see her vulva is swollen, or that she urinates more than normal. But quite often the first sign, as I said, is the drops of blood. Don't worry, all quite normal, treat her kindly but don't fuss over her too much. Keep her busy with training, if possible play with her outdoors in a secure area, but beware of entire male dogs. Do not leave her out in the yard unattended - male dogs can dig under or jump over fences to get to her, or she might try to escape. If you do not have a secure spot where you can play retrieving or searching games with her, you can walk her on a leash, but try to go to areas where there are no other dogs around, or at times when others are not around (early morning or late evening). Once she is in the most fertile period (in the middle of her season) be particularly careful and vigilant. Three weeks will soon be over!
Thanks, Buffy is in the last week now so I'm going to take her around the block for a few mins today. She has been getting so bored, stealing stuff and having zoomies like a little puppy again. And the barking and whinging! Bless her, she's normally a little angel in the house but we're all looking forward to the end of her season. I've spoken to the vet nurse about spaying and we'll be looking at early-mid May. Good timing because then she'll (hopefully) be recovered before our holiday. BigDutch, the blood drops were one of the first things I noticed, but we have quite a pale floor (wipe clean, thankfully!). If you have a dark floor you may not notice. Also in the few days before the bleeding started she was weeing a lot more on walks. Usually she would just do one wee but she was going 3 or 4 times.
Well Riley has started her first season I'm not sure if I should get her some flowers or doggie chocolates to cheer her up incase she gets emotional or something . Seriously we did notice some blood drips at first not much and she has gotten very clingy always wants to be by someone not noticed anything else different though. I have still been taking her out for short walks up and down our lane about half an hour at a time after checking no other dogs about. I think I will make enquiries about getting her spayed in a couple of months. Any advice on that matter welcome please.
