Love is a wonderful thing, but when it involves our dogs it usually promotes some'issues' especially if your dog is a female.
For those who have never had a dog in heat at home, we know that this is a moment that can cost a few nights sleep, but the problem is not only this and it is that with respect to the owners of male dogs, the 'problem' is summarized in managing the anxious behaviour, howling, lack of appetite and territory marking, plus possible escapes behind a dog in heat.
What is heat and how long will my dog be in heat?
Whoever has a dog in heat at home will have to know what they will have to deal with loss of blood and the real risk of pregnancy if the case gets out of hand. The problem of course only exists if you have a dog that is not neutered.
For the comparison with the human being, that is, the woman, we must say that is the equivalent of the menstrual cycle that begins at puberty and makes the woman able to conceive and get pregnant, with the difference that for a female dog, puberty comes much earlier (we are talking about months instead of years) and that there is no age limit To finish, because bitches don't go through menopause.
The arrival of the first heat It varies a lot from one dog to another., depending on the size of the bitch, as well as the state of health and nutrition.
Puberty is characterized precisely in bitches by the beginning of heat, which should occur between 6-7 months for small bitches and 15-18 months for larger bitches, but also the duration and the number of times in a year can vary according to the size, with an average of twice a year with a duration of 21 days.
How do I know that the bitch has gone into heat?
You will notice the swelling of the vulva, small bleeding in the genital area and a tendency to lick that area all the time. At the behavioral level there is some agitation and increased urge to urinate.
If you do not want your bitch to become a magnet for the males in the neighborhood, you will have to keep her at home for the duration of the heat this.
If it is absolutely necessary to walk on the street, you must be very careful when it comes to keeping it safe, under control and away from male dogs. The ideal is not to walk in this period Or do it in the company of more people in order to protect it from the male dogs that cross your path and above all a piece of advice that we are going to give you, is to be patient and that is hormones can cause stress and nervousness or that she becomes excessively nervous during heat, so that you and your family cannot behave differently, that is, behave as usual.
Of course, be firm in reiterating the established rules, but do not exaggerate with reprimands and severe punishments.
How to prevent my dog from getting pregnant?
bitches in heat attract males by scent, so it is not good to leave the house in this period, but the way to be calm and not to have these problems is to sterilize it.
If you think that after the first experiences, the character of your dog is very difficult to control without harming your freedom or your routine, you can always think about surgery, that is, sterilizing.
Neutered bitches before the first heat tend to have a longer life and they run much less health risks, in addition to drastically reducing the risk of diseases in the uterine tract and mainly, of the breast and uterine cancer.