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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:
echt · 10/02/2021 07:39

Although I personally would not take a bitch on heat out to a park as it is too greater risk, the legal responsibility lies with the male dog owner!

How do you work that one out?

Standrewsschool · 10/02/2021 07:41

They’re responsible for their dogs, not you. You sound like a responsible dog Walker.

Clymene · 10/02/2021 07:41

Because you're putting yourself and your dog in danger.

MaskingForIt · 10/02/2021 07:42

@smoothchange

It’s her first season.

Why though? Why has she not been spayed?

Because dogs need to reach hormonal maturity. It is recommended for them to have one or two seasons before being spayed.

Otherwise it would be like giving a hysterectomy to an 8-year-old.

shouldistop · 10/02/2021 07:42

It's tricky because of course your pet deserves exercise but as the owner of an entire male (due to be neutered next month) I'd be worried about him trying to mount her or even escaping from the garden and running miles to do so.
His recall is excellent but I don't know if it would hold up if he smelled a bitch in season.
I'm not sure what the solution is tbh.

shouldistop · 10/02/2021 07:43

Just spotted you were waking her on a beach - that's pretty irresponsible tbh.

Eckhart · 10/02/2021 07:43

[quote GammyLeg]@Eckhart my local council's bylaws state that dogs on heat aren't allowed in any public place - including the park. I'm not in the UK. But it does happen![/quote]
Yes, I was assuming that we were talking about the UK.

Aprilx · 10/02/2021 07:46

@Standrewsschool

They’re responsible for their dogs, not you. You sound like a responsible dog Walker.
OP sounds like an extremely irresponsible dog walker and one that seems to be out to look for trouble. I had some sympathy when I assumed she was walking the dog on the pavements. But she is taking a bitch in heat to a beach where there are bound to be dogs off lead is look g for trouble. She has already had several incidents and hasn’t worked out who the common denominator is, her.
SunshineCake · 10/02/2021 07:51

YANBU to take her. I took mine while she was in season. We walked in very quiet places. If I saw a dog I called to the owner is he a boy and is he done. If yes and no she went straight back on the lead. First dog and first season and we managed fine for the four weeks I needed to keep an eye on her.

Suzi888 · 10/02/2021 07:53

@smoothchange vets will advise puppy has first season to avoid things like cancer in later life.

OP walk your dog, but I’d stick to pavements. What are you going to do if a larger dog latches on? It’s no crying over spilt milk! You won’t be able to stop the dog mating and you could be left with puppies or a much worse outcome!

Eckhart · 10/02/2021 07:56

@berryfull

I take the point though that the beach is likely to have off lead dogs , (especially since it’s quiet) . That’s maybe why the angry owners have been angry. Still think they should put their entire male dogs on the lead when they see a dog on the lead in the distance. Obviously I’ve been understanding, as they obviously just made a mistake, and I’ve been patient with all of them, not walking off and calling them over and waiting pleasantly for them to retrieve their dog. I’ve been going to the beach because it’s quiet though. More likely to encounter dogs on pavement round here just now (beach utterly freezing)

Any way, thanks all!

If you stop expecting other people to behave according to your convenience and look at what's actually happening, that'll guide you better.

After all you're not behaving according to their convenience, are you?

The dogs you meet on the pavements are not generally off lead. The dogs you meet on the beach are. Use some sense. The world isn't all about you and your dog, and Joe Public isn't going to be concerned by what you think they should do, because you're not in charge of them.

savethewales · 10/02/2021 07:56

@DoraTan

Why though? Why has she not been spayed?

Most vets won't spay until a bitch has had her first season.

I was told he opposite and to have her spayed before her first season for health benefits.
AnonymousAuroch · 10/02/2021 07:56

As long as you control your dog with her lead on then anyone else with an uncontrollable dog is at fault. Gtfo with its instinct for male dogs.

I don't think this is true. At every puppy training class I've been to the trainer has emphasised to the class that it's the responsibility of the owners of in season bitches to keep their bitches safe and pregnancy-free, and that they have no recourse against owners of intact males if they are injured or impregnated.

category12 · 10/02/2021 07:57

Taking her bitch to a beach is just daft.

It's a place people go to let their dogs off-lead.

Doesn't matter how quiet it is, in fact the quieter it is, the more likely it is any other dogs will be off-lead.

Propercrimboselecta · 10/02/2021 07:58

My dog hasn’t been stressed thanks itwillbehirmones, but I will bear that in mind.

Sorry OP but I don't believe this. You don't sound like a very responsible dog walker and I honestly don't think you will have a vast knowledge of the HUGELY subtle and complex topic that is dog body language.

You are choosing to ignore so much valid advice because tHeIr dOgs ShOuLd bE oN a LeAd.

Stop taking your in season bitch to an area with off lead dogs in. It's not hard.
She will be getting no more from lead walk on the beach than a lead walk on the pavement.

From a dog professional of many years who is trying to keep you, your dog, and other dogs SAFE. Not just 'being rude'.

oblada · 10/02/2021 07:59

It's pretty obvious and common sense that you shouldnt lock your bitch away but nor should you walk her in parks/beaches etc ffs! Just walk her on the pavement whilst she is in season, it's not rocket science. Keep her on the lead, job done. Anything else is irresponsible

GCAcademic · 10/02/2021 07:59

@BendyLikeBeckham

I can't believe the pile on onto the OP.

Why is she selfish and irresponsible for walking her own dog on a lead in a quiet place?

And why are people demanding she get her dog neutered?

Ffs, the owners of male dogs who allow them off lead and who don't have recall are breaking the law by not having their dog under control in a public place. No magistrate is going to let them off because a nearby bitch was in heat. I hope you people have public liability insurance.

It's like blaming the woman for wearing a short skirt and going out at night, which made her get raped. No, it's the selfish irresponsible bastards who can't keep their dicks dogs under control who are to blame.

She's not walking her dog in a quiet place. She is walking it on a beach, which she has said has 2 or 3 dogs per football pitch sized area. That is not quiet, and is asking for trouble. You cannot expect other dogs to be on the lead on a beach. If you walk a bitch in heat, you find somewhere where there aren't other dogs.
Godimabitch · 10/02/2021 08:01

Love that this has attracted feminist arguments. Unfortunately, we cant teach male dogs about consent or the rights of the female dogs. They're animals, they have instincts.

Early spaying can cause health issues, the females body needs those hormones to develop correctly, physically and mentally. People should read about the effects of spaying before just yelling that all dogs should be spayed before they leave the mum. Ours is 6 and getting spayed next month, she only finished maturing last year, the health risks for her breed are elbow and hip dysplasia, and an increase in the risk of heart cancer aswell as the standard ones like increased UTIs. Now the risks have flipped, pyrometra, breast, ovary and uterine cancer. So she's getting spayed. Not once has a dog tried to mount her.

redcandlelight · 10/02/2021 08:06

Unfortunately, we cant teach male dogs about consent or the rights of the female dogs. They're animals, they have instincts.

well, the owner/handler of a male dog can control it by keeping it on s lead. if a dog can smell an in season bitch for miles, then letting the male dog off the lead in the park would be irresposible.

Ylvamoon · 10/02/2021 08:09

I was told he opposite and to have her spayed before her first season for health benefits

I wonder what the health benefits are.
Spaying / neutering to early can lead to poor coat quality and joint problems later in life.

I think letting your dog grow up both physically and mentally is important.

As for walks, just walk on pavement and on lead to avoid intact male dogs.

Propercrimboselecta · 10/02/2021 08:10

well, the owner/handler of a male dog can control it by keeping it on s lead. if a dog can smell an in season bitch for miles, then letting the male dog off the lead in the park would be irresposible.

So you are suggesting that male dogs, both entire and neutered, are kept on lead at all times just in case there is a female in heat? When the alternative is that the female could just not be walked in areas where there is likely to be off lead dogs whilst at the height of their season?

picklemewalnuts · 10/02/2021 08:12

@berryfull just be aware that she may not have hit peak season if you've been able to shoo dogs away from her- or they may not have been intact.

Next time it happens it could be different- she may have hit peak, you may meet a more experienced/determined dog, you won't be able to separate them.

People aren't trying to be mean, they are sharing their experience of how hard it is even for experienced responsible owners to manage male dogs around females in heat. My neutered dog goes unsettled occasionally- pulling on the lead when out, or sniffing and pacing around the house. I've come to the conclusion there must be a bitch somewhere. I think you may be underestimating the impact.

Godimabitch · 10/02/2021 08:12

A spayed bitch is kinda like a reactive dog. Yes, you keep your reactive dog on a lead, and legally, if someone's offlead dog comes up then any ensuing fighting is the other owners responsibility. But it would be stupid to take a reactive dog to a place where there are loads of off lead dogs, because you know that it will result in fighting so you would be the irresponsible owner.
You are responsible for your dog, you dont take your dog to a place that isn't safe for them, you know that by taking your bitch in season to a place where there are multiple off lead dogs, that this will result in dogs trying to mount your dog. The other dog owners dont know your bitch is in season do they, so how can they respond appropriately. The only other option is for all dogs to always be on lead even in dog parks just in case someone brings a bitch in season. Because nobody knows how their dog will respond to an in season bitch, even neutered dogs and bitches will be affected by it.
Or the owner of the bitch could stay away from the other dogs for a few weeks. Alot easier and safer for everyone.

muddyford · 10/02/2021 08:14

Even neutered male dogs will be attracted by a bitch in season and are capable of mounting and tying with her. Testosterone is not only produced in the testicles. Police dogs and guide dogs have been known to ignore their training because of a bitch on heat. Dog shows do not allow them, nor do various obedience and training classes as well as competitions.. As PPs have said, walk her on pavements.

Propercrimboselecta · 10/02/2021 08:14

For the early spaying argument, it is really important to let a dog mature both physically and mentally before spaying or neutering. I didn't have this option with my dog who was desexed very young (adopted dog). It has not effected his health as he was never going to get very tall, but it has effected his mental wellbeing.

More and more research suggests waiting until a dog is fully matured before desexing. For most breeds, this is 2 years old, although you can get away with it at 18 months. For giant breeds, it's more along the lines of 3 years.