Unspayed dog going to sitter - stupid questions I'm afraid . . .

[spiderswilldescend]

My dog is going to a new dog sitter while we are on holiday.

She is unspayed (the dog - no idea about the sitter ) as we live in an area where we can keep her completely safe. No intention to ever breed from her.

She had her last season in April.

The dog sitter has an intact male dog herself. They have met once and, while he sniffed about her, he didn't try anything. However, obviously, over a week that might not be the case.

Is there any chance at all that my dog will be fertile next week?

Also, this probably seems ridiculous to those who are experts, but I have no idea whether dogs have sex even outwith mating/fertile times.

Many thanks for any replies - I do know I'm asking very dim questions though to those who are knowledgeable about all of this . . .

[spiderswilldescend]

Also wanted to say - as I get a bit cross when people ask questions they could have Googled - I know that she is not in the fertile time just now, I'm really just wondering if there is any chance at all? She usually bleeds for about 3 weeks (light for weeks 1 and 3), and is on a 5-6 month cycle.

[Fairylea]

I'm sure others will be along with advice shortly but I would really get her speyed. It's not just about breeding but can also prevent a lot of painful and expensive diseases as they get older (my grans dog died of something that could have been prevented just by getting her done) and it also makes them much less of a target for dog thieves looking to steal for puppy farms.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Yes she could in season dog change their cycle lengths all the time.
For female dogs who you are not going to breed from all the evidence says that it is much, much better for their health to be spayed. Less risk of mammary tumours no risk of pyometra ,25% of unspayed bitches over 10 get this life-threatening disease another 25% get it between the ages of 12 and 14.

[spiderswilldescend]

Thanks Fairylea - there really is no one where we live, and she's with me all the time. I live in the back of beyond - don't need to lock car or house, and I work from home.

In terms of diseases, I was concerned about endocrinal problems which seemed to balance the benefits, and, on a more emotional level, a friend's dog died from complications when she was spayed, so that worried me.

[spiderswilldescend]

Lonecat - so, even if her cycle is always the same (about 5 and a half months), she could still vary when she is fertile?

[marne2]

Why not get her spayed? I don't understand why a owner wouldn't if they don't plan on breeding, it can make your dogs life longer and minimises risks of cancer. We used a doggy day care last year and they don't take dogs that have not been spayed of neutered as they exercise all the dogs together ( most are working dogs ), I'm sure if she does come into season the dog sitter will know to be careful ( if she is experienced ).

[spiderswilldescend]

Decision was made on the reasons above marne2 - she's never in daycare, so that's not an issue. I only put her with sitters who keep her in their home. The sitter is fine with it, she's experienced and seems lovely - I'm just wondering . . . I always get nervous when I leave her anyway as she's with me all the time, and I miss her so much .

I do fully appreciate that the reasons for and against spaying are very polarised though, and, if I didn't live where I live, I wouldn't have hesitated. However, I did look into it all before we got her - she wasn't an impulse buy sort of dog, she's a lifetime commitment - spoke to vets, looked at research online etc.

[fivepies]

It is unlikely that she will be in season. She is most fertile 4-6 das AFTER the bleeding stops, so unless you are going away for more tan three weeks you'll know she won't be there while prime for mating.
If coming into season she's the one bonking the other dogs! If a male dog made a serious attempt she'd see him off if not ready. Dog ating is atally more difficult than you would think (although even experienced breeders do get caught sometimes).
To answer your question, the entire dog will not try to mate with your dog unless she is in season and that seems unlikely.

[spiderswilldescend]

Thank you fivepies

I had no idea that the female was the one who was the driving factor, so to speak! We're only away for a week and she shouldn't really bleed again until end of October/start of November.

[spiderswilldescend]

Also, I hope I don't seem dismissive of people suggesting spaying - I'm really not. In fact, I've been horrified by the number of people who, since she was a puppy, have said, 'oooh, she's lovely - are you going to have puppies?' as if it's just something you casually do. It really has been a decision based on many things, and we haven't taken it lightly.

[MitchellMummy]

I'm guess your hols are soon? IF she does come in to season has the dogsitter have a method of separating the dogs (as many people do if they have entire dogs of both sexes)?

[Lonecatwithkitten]

What I mean is that cycle lengths can vary widely, I have also had blood test proof of ovulation whilst a bitch is still bleeding and 21 days after she has stopped breeding. Working with breeding bitches testing the same bitches several times you discover that no two cycles are the same.

[spiderswilldescend]

Yes, Mitchell - next week. Sitter does have areas she can separate but I always assume that dogs will get to each other no matter what if there is a hint of it being fertile time, so I wouldn't rely on that.

[todayisnottheday]

It was my understanding that a bitch can come into heat spontaneously under some circumstances I.e. The presence of an entire male if the contact is prolonged? Totally accept l may have this wrong but would it be worth a call to your vet to check?

[fivepies]

Bitches can bring each other into season, but it doesn't sound like the sitter has an entire female.
A dog won't get to her if the sitter separates them properly but it'd drive the dog mad. Our entire dog had to live elsewhere when our bitch was in season, poor thing.
I still think that if there are no signs of her season now and you are away next week you'll be fine. Just ask the sitter to keep an eye on your girl, I'm sure she will anyway.