Has anyone any special tips for dealing with a first heat? I noticed blood spots yesterday, although thinking back on Wednesday there were some stains on the floor that I wasnt sure about - thought they might be tea spills! So I think today is day 3 for Poppy. First step taken has been to ship poor old Bones off to some friends for three weeks. Poor old lad, I feel terrible - he's been sick, then my son leaves, now he has to go! But there's no help for it, I'm afraid. Are those horrible panties necessary? I havent bought any yet, have just moved the rugs and am wiping the floor. I read somewhere that it is possible this is a 'false' heat, and that she might not come into estrus for several more weeks yet? Any other tips? Feel a bit like a mum with a teenaged daughter. Almost sat her down on the couch and told her 'You are a woman now'!!!!!! :
Re: First heat Oh bless her Karen , all grown up and yet not really I found with my bitches that their first season was pretty light , I havent ever used panties either ! Also I noticed that they lost their appetites a little, became more clingy and urinated a little more , just treat Poppy as normal Karen , it will soon be over and you`ll no doubt soon get used to the smell of disinfectant Poor old Bones , but its for the best , he can do without temptation at his age Good luck x
Re: First heat No, no panties here either, just multiple rolls of kitchen roll! Bicarb and lemon juice is good at getting rid of the smell - but it can bleach so only use on safe surfaces or leave in a dish (out of range of course!) if it's particularly pongy. We also have small pieces of old towel for doggie clean up, have one on hand for when she stands up - that's usually the biggest drip. Maia used to get terribly swollen and would leak, I've never known one as bad as that, poor girl was confined to the kitchen during the worst. Poor old Bones, special treats when he comes home again. It'll all be over soon.
Re: First heat Thanks for the tips - we are getting along fine, and Bones is apparently enjoying his 'holiday' too...
Re: First heat As a first time 'dad' to a female dog - when do they usually start their first season. I note that you mention a lack of appetite, which is interesting because my pooch has been off her food today and i'm sure I read somewhere they start around 8 / 9 months ish ?
Re: First heat It's not as bad as I thought it would be, though vigilance is definitely the word when out and about! The blood spotting is only a problem if you have carpets, otherwise you just wipe up the little drops - and I am using lots of rags, towels and doggy blankets, which can be put into the washing machine afterwards. We have been making use of this time to do lots of training in the house and in the garden, as walks in the woods will mostly be on lead for the next week. I have noticed she is a little more sensitive than usual, and needs a lot of cuddling and reassurance. Very sweet really...
Re: First heat Glad all is going well Karen One of my bitches was quite an aloof dog , never really fussy except during her season when she became a proper fuss pot and very clingy . After she was spayed it never happened again which was quite sad , hoping Bones is alright ?
Re: First heat Apparently Bones is having a lovely time - the family he is with adore him, and he has taken over the house... They say his foot is looking much better, he is eating like a pig, and goes for happy little walkies. It's his holiday! And no pesky puppy to annoy him! ;D Oddly, Poppy doesnt seem to miss him at all either. ('Bones who???' ) Perhaps they are just too far apart in age to ever really become soul mates... Bones and Billy were inseparable.
Re: First heat It could be that they'll bond once Poppy is older. I remember being disappointed that Barney seemed "ok" with Rusty" but not fussed if he didn't see him but once he was an adult and I guess they were on more equal terms they definitely got closer. Plus of course it's down to individuals - we can't all love everybody
Re: First heat They are very affectionate to each other - just dont seem fussed when the other isnt there. Not a problem at all, it just surprised me a little... Pops seems to have just about stopped dropping blood now, so from what I have read it seems that this is now the dangerous phase...??
Re: First heat Poor little Pops, seems a bit down in the dumps... Misses her doggy friends (though she had a romp with a female lab yesterday). We seem to be surrounded by 'whole' male dogs, which makes walking down the street a bit traumatic! Lots of lovelorn barking and howling!!! Soon be over now, though. Still, I dont think we can go to obedience class on Saturday though... Could just imagine how the 10-month old Golden Retriever boys would react!!! Not much 'sitting and staying' would happen, I suspect .
Re: First heat Oh poor girl , and yes I can imagine the chaos she would cause and she would also be behaving like a tramp too
Re: First heat [quote author=kateincornwall link=topic=968.msg5663#msg5663 date=1355394377] Oh poor girl , and yes I can imagine the chaos she would cause and she would also be behaving like a tramp too [/quote] LOL I so adore reading these forums they are highly entertaining and making my task as a new pup owner all the more easier ... you are too funny !
Re: First heat Hi, our Fudge has just started her first season at 11 months. Being our first dog we have been on a steep learning curve, so any help/advice is always gratefully received. She doesn't look particularly swollen but I have just seen that she is leaking some blood. Not wanting any puppies filling the house in 7 weeks, how long should we keep her away from other dogs? Not the best time for it to have started. Having purchased Total Recall, I have just started proofing the recall outside. Can't see her being off lead for a while.
Re: First heat Hi Steve, Welcome to the forum. A bitch's season lasts from three to four weeks. The bleeding often changes from bright red, to a straw coloured liquid after a couple of weeks, but she is still highly fertile at this point. The season is over when all three of the following has occurred [list type=decimal] [li]discharge has stopped[/li] [li]swelling has disappeared[/li] [li]at least three weeks has passed from day one [/li] [/list] You need to keep her away from dogs until then. Hope you enjoy the book Pippa
Re: First heat Welcome to the forum Steve, how awful for poor Fudge. I remember that well with Hattie! Good luck. Helen
Re: First heat Hi Steve, hang in there, it doesn't last that long and then all will be back to normal...
