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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBu to take my dog for a walk when she’s in heat?

445 replies

berryfull · 09/02/2021 23:12

Obviously on the lead, we’ll controlled. Obviously trying to avoid busy dog places where possible. But a walk a couple of times a day.

I’ve had several owners of entire make dogs give me a mouthful this week, when they’ve had to come and forceably remove their intact off lead dog from following me. Even went so far tonight that the dog that was following us had no owner anywhere visible, so I had to phone them from the number on the collar. When they arrived to get the dog (having delayed me 20 mins or so) they decided to tell me off !!

Flabbergasted! Surely if you have an entire make dog, then you should be keeping it in the lead or under supervision. Why should my dog get no excersize ? I’m keeping my dog under control. Why should I have to lock her away while male dogs roam free?

Dog patriarchy anyone?

OP posts:
lifeturnsonadime · 10/02/2021 14:37

I have a golden retriever bitch, it is normal to allow them to have at least 2 seasons before they are spayed to ensure they grow properly and are not prone to certain cancers.

I kept my girl in for 3 weeks during her first season. I wouldn't have dreamt of walking her as it is massively unfair on male dogs whether they are neutered or not. They pick up the scent from a huge difference and could easily get killed if they ran across the road in pursuit.

Not only that I don't want to have to fend a big amorous dog of my girl or to have puppies.

I could keep my dog exercised at home and played lots of games with her.

It's just not worth the risk and is extremely selfish. As the owner of the bitch you have options the owner of the dog does not.

lifeturnsonadime · 10/02/2021 14:38

should say huge distance not huge difference.

Imloosingmyshit · 10/02/2021 14:53

People shouldn’t really have a dog off lead. Even if your dog is well bathed, perfect, responds to commands etc, it’s still an animal. It had bad days and weird days like all of us and you just NEVER CAN TELL when it’s going to revert to its primal instinct. Dog on a lead. YANBU.

Imloosingmyshit · 10/02/2021 14:59

Op you will get short shrift from the ‘ dogs don’t legally need to be on a lead’ brigade. Each owner responsible for their own dog. People who shout at you are bullies and vile. I’ve had same walking the dog ( not in heat, but others who can’t control THEIR dog whilst mine is on lead). Some people just can’t help themselves. Best not to engage.

lifeturnsonadime · 10/02/2021 15:05

Dogs do not need to be on the lead all the time just so that the owner of a bitch on heat can walk the bitch.

How ridiculous.

Smallgoon · 10/02/2021 15:06

@mathanxiety

If these poor male dogs cannot control their sexual urges when a bitch in heat is within 3 miles, then their owners have to keep them under control.

This is not a feminist issue, and depicting it as such makes several posters look absolutely ridiculous.

There was an earlier poster who referred to male dogs that react to the scent as 'rapists'... couldn't make this shit up Grin
Hagqueen · 10/02/2021 15:20

Mine’s in her first heat - and I have only walked her once or twice - on pavements and at a quieter time. Its not worth the stress, so I have not done it since. She’s not an off lead dog anyway, but she is behaving differently and I’m not risking it with other dogs off lead etc.

gottakeeponmovin · 10/02/2021 15:35

She still needs a walk. I would stay away from off lead areas though

Hagqueen · 10/02/2021 16:14

@gottakeeponmovin she has a garden and we exercise in it - she’s a tiny dog who doesn’t need to walk miles.

Imloosingmyshit · 10/02/2021 17:19

@lifeturnsonadime

not sure anyone’s suggesting other people should have their dog on a lead so a bitch on heat can be walked. Rather, that ALL dogs should be on a lead, whether local council/government makes it a rule or not. EVERY single OFF LEAD dog that has approached my ON LEAD DOG including the ones which tried to chew it’s face , were ALL “ normally so well behaved. Never done that before, must not like your dog” and even an owner shouting at me because my dog was barking after I managed to free his face from another dog. Dogs are unpredictable. And if a person cannot understand that, and lead their dog when it’s around others ( unless in an area specifically for off lead at the owners risk) then they really shouldn’t have a dog.

WhatNowFrantic · 10/02/2021 17:39

It doesnt seem to make a difference in our park if a dogs been castrated or not. Theres an 8 year old dog that was castrated at 6 months because of a problem with a testicle. Every time he sees my dog he humps him while my dog just stands and lets himGrin they are both male dogs!
We haven't yet castrated our 2 year old dog as the vet advised us to do it at 18 months as he is a large breed, then during the 1st lockdown our vet closed down. He is fine until he sees a bitch on heat then he turns into a different animal!
The vet said to us that castrated dogs will also react to a bitch on heat, as will some other bitches🤷‍♀️

Bourbonic · 10/02/2021 17:43

My dog had 1 season before being done. I took her out twice a day, both on lead to places and at times there wouldn't be other dogs around.

I think its better for the female dog to not be harassed and it's better for other owners. I'd have felt a bit selfish and thoughtless if I'd gone at my normal times around other dogs.

lifeturnsonadime · 10/02/2021 18:04

[quote Imloosingmyshit]@lifeturnsonadime

not sure anyone’s suggesting other people should have their dog on a lead so a bitch on heat can be walked. Rather, that ALL dogs should be on a lead, whether local council/government makes it a rule or not. EVERY single OFF LEAD dog that has approached my ON LEAD DOG including the ones which tried to chew it’s face , were ALL “ normally so well behaved. Never done that before, must not like your dog” and even an owner shouting at me because my dog was barking after I managed to free his face from another dog. Dogs are unpredictable. And if a person cannot understand that, and lead their dog when it’s around others ( unless in an area specifically for off lead at the owners risk) then they really shouldn’t have a dog.[/quote]
Sorry I completely disagree. I keep my bitch in when she's on heat but when she's not she needs to run to stay healthy. Lead walking won't cut it. I live near the countryside and she has two decent off -lead walks daily.

If I'm in the park or walking in an urban area I exercise my judgement.

She has good recall.

NonagonInfinityOpensTheDoor · 10/02/2021 18:13

It doesnt seem to make a difference in our park if a dogs been castrated or not. Theres an 8 year old dog that was castrated at 6 months because of a problem with a testicle. Every time he sees my dog he humps him while my dog just stands and lets himgrin they are both male dogs!
Humping isn’t usual sexual so neutering wouldn’t make a difference to just humping. Humping can be playing to dogs, release of energy, possibly dominance although lots of theory’s around that are being debunked.

My parents female spayed dog will hump their male dog all the time. It’s just playful as she doesn’t know how toys work. She’s a husky though so the ultimate weirdo dog Grin

Collaborate · 10/02/2021 18:23

You're being highly irresponsible. I kept my girl in for her first season, then had her spayed. There is a huge guy who walks his Newfoundland in my local park and he walked her during her season. Caused all sorts of trouble. All the other male dogs, who were normally very obedient, suddenly lost leave of their senses. He was a complete arse about it and I wasted no time in telling him what I thought. Entirely selfish.

GrouchyKiwi · 10/02/2021 18:55

I took my bitch out for walks at 10pm when she was in season. She is a large breed so had to have two seasons or be 2 years old before she was spayed.

Obviously your dog needs exercise but you need to choose your time. It will be inconvenient for you for a few weeks. Both intact and neutered dogs will be interested in her and both could hurt her. You'd really struggle to keep a determined dog away from her!

oblada · 10/02/2021 18:59

It is seriously worrying that the OP didn't see any issue with going to the beach and thought it was up to other owners to spot her in the wild distance before their own dog noticed/picked up the scent, understand her bitch was on heat and therefore put their dog (entire or not) on the lead as a result... it does show some misunderstanding around dog behaviour. Hopefully its pavement walk from now on...

Smallgoon · 10/02/2021 19:11

But thank you for enlightening me to the reasoning behind the mentalities of the owners I’m encountering.

Love this nugget from OP.... Defensive much? Why bother posting on MN if you're right and every other opinion is wrong?

GrouchyKiwi · 10/02/2021 19:14

@truthisalie

If male dogs follow the bitch does it mean the males haven't been castrated?

If they haven't been catsrated then why it is expected for the female dogs to be sprayed?

Unspayed bitches can also develop pyometra, which is an infection of the uterus that can be lethal.
BreakfastClub80 · 10/02/2021 19:45

YANBU

WhatNowFrantic · 10/02/2021 19:59

NonagonInfinityOpensTheDoor
The dog that likes to hump my dog is a huskyGrin
Collaborate totally agree with you!

SelkieQualia · 10/02/2021 22:27

@truthisalie

If male dogs follow the bitch does it mean the males haven't been castrated?

If they haven't been catsrated then why it is expected for the female dogs to be sprayed?

Neutered male dogs can still go crazy over a bitch in heat. I've seen a neutered male tie with a bitch.
LimitIsUp · 10/02/2021 22:29

Go at 6am or go after 9pm. Anything else in unreasonable

Childrenofthestones · 10/02/2021 23:14

Don't think it's a one way street btw.
We have a Cocker bitch who normally goes beserk if any dog goes near her back end, but when she's in season it's a whole other story.

She humps anything in sight her toys, her bed, my leg if I'm stood still long enough and is highly receptive to any dog that comes a courting.
As Limitsup says, walks early first thing and last thing at night.

Smallgoon · 10/02/2021 23:19

@LimitIsUp

Go at 6am or go after 9pm. Anything else in unreasonable
Don't be silly. OP is not going to inconvenience herself like that.
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