Walk me through a season like I'm an idiot

[Pizdets]

Hello! Pizpup is 10 months old and (I think) about halfway through her first season. Pizdog is male so we haven't done this before. I've spoken to my vet and have been googling and searching but am getting really conflicting information. This will be her only season as we plan to spay thank God! Some possibly stupid questions which I'd be really grateful for help with:

She started bleeding about 10 days ago but it's thinned out to a kind of watery discharge now - is this a sign the season is ending or does it fluctuate throughout a season?

Bless her, she's so low energy compared to normal and in the evenings she's licking her vulva and crying to herself - google says this can be a sign of a UTI, but I assume it's probably season related? Anything I need to look out for that would be a concern?

When does a season end? The vet said when the bleeding stops, but some online sources say they can be fertile after the bleeding has stopped. We definitely don't want puppies so I want to be safe! Also does this watery discharge count as bleeding?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out. And if anyone else is experiencing this feel free to add any stupid questions so I don't feel so alone!

When the bleeding stops is when they are MOST fertile.

Seasons last on average about 21 days, with the most fertile period in the middle of that. However, lots of dogs haven't read the books that say this, so they can be longer, they can be shorter, they can start a season and stop, then come back in again later. Ovulation may traditionally occur around days 10-12, but it also sometimes occurs on day 4 or day 22.

Just keep your dogs apart when there isn't someone supervising (and obviously also work something out if your male is getting distressed/wound up).

Also, even if your male is neutered, he can mate a bitch and 'tie' with them, so beware of that. Not all have the inclination, but it's entirely possible.

Thanks @EmeraldIsla ! If they're most fertile after the bleeding, how do I know when the season has ended? The vets told me the season has ended after the bleeding stops, but maybe that was just for the purposes of getting her spay booked?

PizDog is old and unflappable and just happy to chill in his bed so he's been great so far. Think he's appreciating a break from her usual whirlwind ways like we are!

Is PizDog neutered? If by any chance he is not, I wouldn't assume his indifference to hold steady when it came to the right time ... ! The best stud dogs pay no heed until the time is right LOL.

It is a worry hearing a vet say that the season has ended after the bleeding stops, I have to say. I would just count three weeks from the start and be cautious for a week after really.

Echoing the above that the time they get pregnant is usually at the end of the bleeding. There is a huge variation from one bitch to another when it comes to fertility, so It may best to assume you are not 'safe' re pregnancy until two weeks after the bleeding stops. If unneutered, do NOT trust your male dog with her for a single minute unsupervised during this time!!

The licking, crying and being miserable is very much a thing for bitches during a season, especially the first one.

Don't be fooled by the old disinterested dog act. We had two girls with an old boy - when the younger bitch was at a certain point of her season she started giving him the come-on.

Please keep them apart by whatever means you can, be it puppy gates, securely closed doors or asking a family member to take your male until her season fully ends.

Thanks all! The dog is neutered so no chance of puppies. He spends his days in the garden office with my husband while the puppy is with me, and they're well supervised in the evening but will definitely be super vigilant.

I think we'll aim for a good 4 weeks of keeping her on lead walks and avoiding other dogs then, and if the bleeding goes over 3 weeks we'll push it out further. I really feel for the poor girl, I thought a 5 day period was bad but this is depressing!