First season

[Pam99]

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Hi all, just wondering if anyone can tell me the early indicators that a dog is going into season? Ruby (boxer) is nearly 10 months old now and from what i have read 9 months seems to be the norm for boxers to have a first season so am expecting it anytime. Over the last few days male dogs seem to be showing her more attention and sniffing her bits, Ruby has not been tolerant of this and tells them off. But her bits are not swollen and no bleeding yet....

 

[Ash2021]

Hi, I have seen the below posted before so hope this helps - I am sure more experienced members will be able to provide more information

Bitches can show behavioural changes before a season that can run a wide range: clingyness or moodiness; wanting to sleep more or hyperactivity; increase or decrease in appetite and so on. Housetraining may also slip as she marks urine to advertise her condition. Any behavioural changes at this age should be considered possible signs of impending season.

As the time gets very close, her vulva will swell. In some bitches it is quite noticable and in others it is very subtle. Her teats may also swell, particularly the back ones.

 

[Pam99]

Thanks for the reply. I cant sit on the sofa without her coming and sitting on my knee and shes behaving very erratically when out walking and I'm pretty sure theres some swelling there this morning so i guess the time is nigh! Argh!

 

[Finsky]

Thanks for the reply. I cant sit on the sofa without her coming and sitting on my knee and shes behaving very erratically when out walking and I'm pretty sure theres some swelling there this morning so i guess the time is nigh! Argh!

That sounds very much like it could be happening already. Some dogs bits don't swell much at all or at first and all of the sudden it is very clear what is going on when there is some blood to be seen.

 

[melb100]

Good luck, had aggies first one fairly recently around 11 months.
Her vulva swelled up like an onion so that was hard to miss! also had a slightly different smell during the first week and days preceding. If you put paler coloured towels and blankets down where she usually sleeps then it may be easier to see if there’s been any spotting during sleep.
Think someone in here also suggested wiping her bits with white hankie now and then if you think the time is nigh.

 

[Pam99]

My hunch was right ruby has started bleeding this morning, she'll be 10 months old on saturday, so we had our first on lead walkies this morning, she was NOT impressed that she could not go and play on the beach. So now it willbe a countdown as to when it finishes. will i get harrased by random dogs when I'm out with her? Even yesterday she was running around on the beach with a male dog that didnt seem to have any intetest in her in that way. Don't get me wrong theres no way shes getting any off lead walks until i know its well over but just dont know what to expect. For example is going to an outdoor cafe for lunch a no no?

 

[Finsky]

My hunch was right ruby has started bleeding this morning, she'll be 10 months old on saturday, so we had our first on lead walkies this morning, she was NOT impressed that she could not go and play on the beach. So now it willbe a countdown as to when it finishes. will i get harrased by random dogs when I'm out with her? Even yesterday she was running around on the beach with a male dog that didnt seem to have any intetest in her in that way. Don't get me wrong theres no way shes getting any off lead walks until i know its well over but just dont know what to expect. For example is going to an outdoor cafe for lunch a no no?

When our girls are on season, we've have still been going out and about during the first week of season...ALMOST as before, until their proper heat kicks in. At start of their season they don't seem to attract males much at all. Saying that....we still keep away from busy areas and if anybody else approach to us...we either try to keep away or explain that our girl is just come to her season (they can be bit snappy then) so they know not to let their dogs close.
After that the next 2-3 weeks we walk ours at 'odd times' of the day/evening when hardly anybody else is out with theirs and/or go to quiet places to avoid other dogs altogether.
We've never had issues with male dogs eager attention but knowing that it could happen and preparing and preventing such a things is the main thing.
The male attention is not only thing to be aware of....some bitches become obsessively 'hungry' for mating so being extra careful when they do so is important. They can go through the 'brick wall' when they are in mood for some boy company...

 

[Pam99]

When our girls are on season, we've have still been going out and about during the first week of season...ALMOST as before, until their proper heat kicks in. At start of their season they don't seem to attract males much at all. Saying that....we still keep away from busy areas and if anybody else approach to us...we either try to keep away or explain that our girl is just come to her season (they can be bit snappy then) so they know not to let their dogs close.
After that the next 2-3 weeks we walk ours at 'odd times' of the day/evening when hardly anybody else is out with theirs and/or go to quiet places to avoid other dogs altogether.
We've never had issues with male dogs eager attention but knowing that it could happen and preparing and preventing such a things is the main thing.
The male attention is not only thing to be aware of....some bitches become obsessively 'hungry' for mating so being extra careful when they do so is important. They can go through the 'brick wall' when they are in mood for some boy company...

Thanks so much for the reply it makes perfect sense as rubys been most snappy with other dogs the last week! And ive been wary about letting her say 'hello' as she usually would. I shall be extra vigilant now then!

 

[Pam99]

Day 3 of Rubys season and she keeps being sick. Shes been sick on and off since sunday, can anyonevoffer advice on this? Shes thrown up her meals on a few occasions and this morning woke up early wretching but no sick . Ive given her some rice, veggies and chicken tonight to see if it helps. Shes usually raw fed. Shes fine in herself just wondered if the sickness was due to her season.

 

[Ash2021]

The male attention is not only thing to be aware of....some bitches become obsessively 'hungry' for mating so being extra careful when they do so is important. They can go through the 'brick wall' when they are in mood for some boy company...

I can so vouch for that, I had an entire male lab dog a few years back and the farmers female lab climbed out of a 6 foot kennel, ran down 2 fields and ended up tied with our lab in our garden

I called farmer and informed straight away who came down and had a coffee until the dogs untied. About 2 hours later I got brought a very nice bottle of wine on the way back from the vets - gawd knows what the vets cost him, but there were no pups as she had the equivalent to the morning after pill (also both labs came from the same breeder but different litters and were both KC registered)

 

[Ash2021]

Day 3 of Rubys season and she keeps being sick. Shes been sick on and off since sunday, can anyonevoffer advice on this? Shes thrown up her meals on a few occasions and this morning woke up early wretching but no sick . Ive given her some rice, veggies and chicken tonight to see if it helps. Shes usually raw fed. Shes fine in herself just wondered if the sickness was due to her season.

sorry to hear Ruby is being sick, sorry I can’t offer advice, I would contact the vet

hopefully someone else will have some advice for you

 

[Pam99]

I can so vouch for that, I had an entire male lab dog a few years back and the farmers female lab climbed out of a 6 foot kennel, ran down 2 fields and ended up tied with our lab in our garden

I called farmer and informed straight away who came down and had a coffee until the dogs untied. About 2 hours later I got brought a very nice bottle of wine on the way back from the vets - gawd knows what the vets cost him, but there were no pups as she had the equivalent to the morning after pill (also both labs came from the same breeder but different litters and were both KC registered)

Oh good lord!!! How will i know when this is happening (the most fertile bit) I have a gated and locked drive, fenced off back garden but there are some gaps in the nieigbours adjoining bushes she could definitely squeeze through

 

[Hemlock]

Re: the vomiting - this isn't part of being in season, so might be worth a vet check if it goes on. She's probably eaten something dubious or got a tummy bug.

So far as unwanted visitors or escaping goes, don't take ANY risks. As your garden isn't secure, keep her indoors and take her out for potty trips on the lead. For animals that are only sexually available for a short time, the need is very great during those times, and takes priority over anything else.

 

[Ash2021]

Oh good lord!!! How will i know when this is happening (the most fertile bit) I have a gated and locked drive, fenced off back garden but there are some gaps in the nieigbours adjoining bushes she could definitely squeeze through

As Hemlock says, as your garden isn’t totally secure I would keep her on lead or long line in the garden

my back garden is secure but when Ash comes into season I will be using the long line in the garden so she has a bit of freedom but I will be on the other end of it

 

[Hemlock]

When exercising, I always drive my on-heat bitches to a suitable place, then there is less chance of male dogs following her scent to home. It doesn't do without the risk completely, but it helps.

Honestly, it isn't all that onerous. One just has to be careful.

 

[Pam99]

When exercising, I always drive my on-heat bitches to a suitable place, then there is less chance of male dogs following her scent to home. It doesn't do without the risk completely, but it helps.

Honestly, it isn't all that onerous. One just has to be careful.

Thank you very much for the advice. Long line it is although at the moment sleep and cuddles with me or teddy seems to be the only thing ruby wants to do

 

[Tinytom]

Gorgeous photo

 

[Finsky]

Day 3 of Rubys season and she keeps being sick. Shes been sick on and off since sunday, can anyonevoffer advice on this? Shes thrown up her meals on a few occasions and this morning woke up early wretching but no sick . Ive given her some rice, veggies and chicken tonight to see if it helps. Shes usually raw fed. Shes fine in herself just wondered if the sickness was due to her season.

As Hemlock said....vomiting is not part of season....HOWEVER, I have had a bitch that when ever she was on season, particularly at the start of it, she would go off food or only eat very little at first. And when off from food, her empty tummy would make her feel sick and she would bring up some bio for few times over few days. She would never be sick after eating or with some food in her tummy, it was always about being empty.

 

[Finsky]

Thank you very much for the advice. Long line it is although at the moment sleep and cuddles with me or teddy seems to be the only thing ruby wants to do

Awwwww....she is lovely and you just cannot help feeling sorry for them. Their first time is always a bit of bother for them as they are figuring out what is going on....but next one, not usually anymore a issue. Particularly if we don't make fuss about it...they just get on with it

 

[Ash2021]

Lovely photo of her cuddling her yellow teddy