9month old in season

[MerryInthechelseahotel]

What is your advice about walking our puppy whilst she is in season? She is just beginning now. I've heard a lot of scare stories of dogs running for miles, following the scent and refusing to leave the female alone. She is quite a big dog and loves her excercise off the lead which I presume I won't be able to do.

It is essential she be kept on the lead from 9th day when she begins to ovulate. I live in an area with lots of dogs - mainly neutered but a few males are entire. When mine was in season it was she who did all the seducing and the males were interested but didn't attempt to mount her.

We had no males queuing at the front door. No howling from neighbour's male neutered dog.

Her vulva will swell up to 3 times its usual size and then gradually return to normal when her season has finished. Lasts between 3-4 weeks in total

Thanks for that digerd I will do that. Someone even said to me I shouldn't leave her in the garden unaccompanied (enclosed garden) because male dogs might jump over the gate etc. I like what you said better

Hate to be the party pooper, but I would be more cautious. Yes, she will be more attractive to entire males and they can be very determined, including jumping over, or tunnelling under fences to get at a bitch. One of our neutered male greyhounds turned into a lovesick teenager when our foster bitch was recently in season - continual mounting, though mostly of the wrong end. If you have a very secure garden with high fences and you live in a quiet rural area, then obviously less risky.

I would stick with onlead walking in an area with not too many dogs in it, if possible try walking either earlier or later when it is quieter too. We actually ceased walking her altogether during her most fertile period and concentrated on doing lots of clicker training and games in the garden. OK, it's a bit of a faff but it's only for ten days, and as a greyhound, she's too big to simply scoop up if an offlead entire males starts getting frisky.

You don't really know how attractive other dogs are going to find her so given that the risks are exposing a very young dog to an unwanted mating and a litter of unwanted pups, better to be safe than sorry.

I'd stick to lead walks unless you can guarantee that no other dogs are around. We have to resort to a lot more involved activity on our part to tire her out so all the favourite toys come out and a fair chunk of time is spent playing with her. To be honest, I quite like the change in routine and it improves her relationship with me.

Hmm no our garden hasn't got a high fence. There are also loads of dogs round here, especially where I let her off the lead normally. I will do pavement walks instead. She, too, is miles to big for me to scoop up.