I have a bit of a dilemma I'm hoping you can help me with. Molly is in season at the moment, it will be 3 weeks by next Tuesday 4th July. Now, we are expecting visitors on Sunday who will be bringing Sam with them. Sam is a lab/spaniel cross, adorable boy - though that's not relevant to my dilemma - and he's also castrated, so no danger of a mating. Sam is though a 'humper' and when they've visited before he usually spends quite a lot of time humping Molly. Now, my concern is, that Molly may welcome his attention and although he won't actually do anything, could she think he has done and then develop a phantom pregnancy. What I'm wondering is, could there be a trigger, like this that causes a bitch to develop a phantom, or am I worrying needlessly? Any experience or ideas will be very welcome. If need be, I could arrange to meet the visitors elsewhere but don't really want to do that if I don't need to.
In my limited experience all dogs can be excited, intrigued by an in-season bitch, just because she smells different now. Molly might be so pestered she's miserable. Sam could not produce puppies but he could tie. There is the risk of injury (to each of them) and STD. If you keep them apart, which I think you should at least prepare to do, they could both be miserable, overwraught and vocal. I don't think you are worrying needlessly. It might be just fine, or any of the above could happen. You just can't know till Sam gets there.
Yes, be aware that it is possible for a neutered dog to tie with your bitch, which is obviously undesirable. I heard that all bitches will have a phantom pregnancy after their season, regardless; it just varies from dog to dog how noticeable this is.
Oh dear, fraught with potential problems I think, sorry ! To test if Molly is receptive , stand behind her and touch the lower end of her back, near her tail . If she flags her tail to one side , she is happy to mate , and yes, a castrated male can penetrate and tie ,sometimes causing problems for both of them , especially as he is a humper anyway x
Usually a bitch is only receptive for a very few days during her season and she may tell him to 'get orf' as she should be well passed that time. Just tell Sam 'NO' and put and put him on the lead when he starts to hump and give him something else to do.
Many thanks for your replies. I am ashamed of my ignorance with regards this, I had NO idea at all that a neutered dog could actually mate, that they could tie. This has really given me food for thought and I'm now erring on the side of meeting my folks elsewhere.
Don't be ashamed, we are all learning every day! I was shocked when I discovered the same, not that long ago
They know what feels good and what its for even if they are missing the boys My old castrated male dog would still try to woo the ladies in a very gentlemanly way
Please don't feel bad ! I`ve owned or been around dogs for nearly all of my 70 years , and I`m still learning ! No one knows everything ! x
No, nor did I and I never would have thought it. Like others, I've had or been around dogs most of my life but am always learning. Cassie my 14 month old has just had a phantom pregnancy and it's been horrendous. She was no trouble during her season and it passed uneventfully, and there was no contact with other dogs, entire or neutered in that time. So I would say it has no bearing on the severity of a phantom preganancy, based on that experience. Perhaps avoidance would be best for all concerned
Thanks again for your replies. selina27, may I ask how long after Cassie's season ended that she showed signs of the phantom pregnancy?
Well I had a bitch in season, and a neutered dog Casper, who was absolutely fine. More interested indeed but not a problem.
As everyone has said, it is possible that he might try to tie, but also that Molly may tell him off for trying. If you go ahead and have them over, might be worth having them both on lead to start with and gauge what they are like before letting them off lead.
Hi @FayRose , I've looked back through my posts etc, and the first time I've mentioned it was May 14th, which was a month after the end of her season, that's when her mammary glands swelled up and the nesting began. I was very slow to pick up the signs, and also underestimated the duration. A month does seem early, it's all quite bizarre and was horrid seeing her so confused. I've no idea really how much effect it has had on recent difficult behaviour, but I'm given to understand that their hormones are deranged for 12 weeks after the end of a season, which takes it to the end of next week. I hope your Mollie doesn't go through it, but from talking to people with more knowledge than me of these things it does seem Cassie's ph p has been quite intense.
Thanks so much for this reply selina27, its very helpful. I'll maintain a close watch on Molly now, more than I thought I had to post season.
Yes, I must admit as she was no trouble in season and seemed very settled generally, I thought I was home and dry Oh no, not the case. Like I say though, I think it's been quite extreme for Cassie.
