Please talk to me about bitches in season

[CaptainKit]

I have two male dogs, and have previously had a spayed female, so haven't had to look into the whole season thing before. Lurcher pup is 8 months old and still entire. Mongrel dog is 2 1/2 and castrated.

Currently I take one to the office with me and leave the other with my mum. However, she's recently taken on a 6 year old terror terrier who has just come into season - Mum noticed the bleeding two days ago.

Puppies are definitely not on the cards; she'll be walked on lead and I'll be keeping my entire boy away from the house so as to not risk anything happening. From a quick google I've learnt that the bleeding stage is about a week and a half, and then the fertile puppy-making stage is another week and a half. Does that sound about right? Should I be keeping my boy away from her for the next three weeks?

I would say a good four weeks to be sure.

Make sure she has a bath at the end of it to try and smell less delicious for him

If he does meet up with her before hand it can cause all sorts of behaviour issues- marking indoors, wining, pacing, going off food. Tho thinking about it if your boy is castrated it may not be as bad. Think it depends on the dog tbh.

With our first dog, many moons ago, it was a nightmare when neighbours bitch a few doors down came in. Lots of wining and pacing including through the night... Although he didn't go off his food- he was a lab after all!

That's what I'm more afraid of - his temperament changing as he gets a whiff of girl hormones! So far he's had a lovely laid back temperament and I'd like to delay castration until at least the spring, if not summer, so would like to keep him all happy and puppy-like. (Precious second dog?)

The older dog isn't a problem; he's laid back enough to continue to go round there whilst the youngling comes to work with me. Plus no risk of puppies.

Next dilemma - how do I tell my mother I can't come round for our weekly dinners for the next 3-4 weeks? Pup's too young to be left home alone and expected to not destroy things.