Eeeeeeck first season....HELP!!

Hi guys,

Its been AGES since I last posted but we have been enjoying our puppy so much! She has settled into family life brilliantly and we wouldn't be without her now! She is as good as gold, so loyal and loving, obedient but also has her naughty side Anyhoo......I think she has come into her first season today...her vulva is swollen and she hasn't been herself...moping around, just wants to lie down etc. Sooooooo what is going to happen next?? I understand the season last approx 3 weeks and happens twice a year. Will it always be around the same times for consecutive years? Will she bleed? Is it very messy? Does anyone have any tips for me?

Thanks in advance xx

sorry cant answer that one we have always had rescue dogs older and spayed/neutered. Our freinds chiwawa did bleed and was rather snappy if i remember though

Hiya she is beautiful by the way, im sure someone with ooddles of knowledge will be aloung very soon. But from what i can remember with a bitch i had once was never the moping around but the blood OMG it went everywhere she used to wag her tail alot and would spray blood everywhere so i got her spayed, ive seen you can buy special nappy things for them not sure how well they work i have a boy now so this is as far as my knowledge goes im afraid x

Yes the seasons are usually every 6 months so twice a year but it can differ from bitch to bitch, they can also get split seasons, but as a guide its twice a year.

They all spot differently, Moo was light but I bought hygiene pants that where a god send to protect the furniture/carpet

http://www.medicanimal.com/product/~product_id=506?gclid=COfAyMaG1LQCFbMbtAoddQkAdA

You just have to be vigilant with other dogs as they will want to get to her and her to them. She may be a bit mopey, bit like humans

I'm sure there is a recent post about the same thing Donna, maybe it is in chat.

very interested to know this as my tash is now 7 months old and although no signs that ive seen. Today on the walk one dog tried to mount her and another spent ages sniffing her bum. She has also been a little snappy and looks tired! maybe its starting

Tell tale sign is that there lady bits will be swollen

The blood loss isn't usually all that bad, but as Janey says, you can get hygiene pants for dogs (make sure you get the right size or they'll rub) for during the day. Don't keep them on her at night as she'll get uncomfortable with them on for 24 hours. Many bitches will keep themselves clean, but you can help if you want by wiping her down every day with a warm damp cloth.

julespercules wrote:very interested to know this as my tash is now 7 months old and although no signs that ive seen. Today on the walk one dog tried to mount her and another spent ages sniffing her bum. She has also been a little snappy and looks tired! maybe its starting

Could well be!

Thanks guys, no sign of blood yet but this was my main worry, luckily we have dark leather sofa's and laminate on our floors, will see how heavy it is and look into hygiene pants if necessary x

Get to Pets at Home and buy the pants!!!! Even if you don't end up using them its good to know they are there if needs be. They were brilliant when Moll came into season. We used the human panty liners in them (aot cheaper and prob better designed). Pants were on during the day time for the first week or so as she bled more during this time.

It feels awful when they come into season but the time passes really quickly and its not actually that bad (you get used to it I guess after a week or so!). Moll just got more cuddles as I felt bad that she was on a 3 week period.

I was out on walks earlier and later to avoid people lol and ready to pick up my girl at a moments notice

I agree with all the above - the "lady bits" (including nipples) get swollen first and then there IS blood. My bitches kept themselves pretty clean during the day (no hygeine pants in those days for dogs!) but during the night when they slept on my bed, some mattresses did get ruined.

As Caryll says, the pants musn't be kept on 24 hours a day, but if you find that the bleeding isn't too bad during the day due to the bitch's own personal hygeine, then perhaps the pants-on time can be swapped to night-times only.

Oh and keep her away from other dogs during these 3 or 4 weeks (the bleeding doesn't last that long, but her reproductive capacity can).

And yep, twice a year on average.

Right sorry for jumping on this post but convinced my poor tash has come into season, not seen any blood loss yet but she is licking herself down there. I was at work today so walked her really early this morning and late tonight so no problem keeping her away from dogs. Off work tomorrow where i would normally go to the reservoir. I know i cant let her off the lead but should i keep away from places where there are going to be other dogs especially other dogs off the lead. Probably a very silly question but hey ho, need the info

How old is Tash now?

The first half of the season can be a nuisance, but not really dangerous - dogs will be interested in her, but she won't be interested in them, it's the second half that will turn her into a complete tart!

I used to take my girls out early morning & late evening to avoid any rampant dogs around; but for the last 10 days I used to pretty much keep them in! Took no chances at all!

My only experience was a large intact male in a park trying to mount Moo, I was running with her trying to get away, even trying to carry her, no owner in site. Luckily a park warden spotted us and bundled us into a van.

So the problem is when the are attracted to her, she is also wanting a bit so to speak! I would, if I had to do it again only walk her for the month in places I new that I could see if a dog was onlead, to be on the safe side, wasn't a nice experience but we haven't a garden so she had to be walked xX

No, it isn't nice!

It might be an idea to carry a pet correcter spray from PAH.

Tash is 7 months old now and god its scary stuff. Was gonna get her done to avoid all this but read up and will be doing it later when she's a bit older. Will definitely walk her where there are no dogs or that they will be on a lead. Thanks again for all the wonderful advice and sorry to jump on the post

Don't worry Jules - we all try to help each other.

7 months is a BIT young to come into her first season (usual is around 9 months), maybe the dogs you met were just being friendly! Dogs WILL sniff each other's bits and pieces just to get to know the smell of the other dog - not pretty but that's how they are

The first sign of an impending season will be swelling of the vulval area and that is the first thing to look for.

Please don't get her "done" before her first season at least.

Molly took is by surprise and came into season at 6 and a half months!

I ended up carrying her to avoid a dog trying to mount her at one point but all was okay when the embarrassed owner pulled her dog off!

Well I'll bet that WAS a surprise! What a precocious lady - glad you could rescue her in time!

Her dog was getting rather a grasp of my leg lol! She was very apologetic although I did also wonder why she took so long to drag it off. Her hound was most def out of her control

It can be a pain but is very manageable, we have 3 bitches at home and have worked out a routine to save the carpets and furniture! Their first few seasons seem to hit them the most hard, I think they must feel rotten as they can sulk, mope, go off their food and refuse to go for walks. Also they can be quite short tempered and should be left alone to chill really.

After the first couple of days she will probably perk up and start being more herself, thats when the bleeding starts! It will probably be quite light for her first season but will still be messy! I would try and teach her to wear some pants asap, we use two different types. The Mikki ones are good cus you avoid leakage, perfect for on the furniture. However they can start to rub a little bit around the waist so we sometimes put cotton wool or fleece under the straps. We also have some bloomer-type ones but these are never as reliable and sometimes lead to excess laundry! Just don't forget to take them off when they go outside!

We just buy the cheap 30p pantyliners, the bigger and thicker the better and change them as often as need or 4 times per day.

Lynda wrote:7 months is a BIT young to come into her first season (usual is around 9 months),

Anything from 5 months is 'normal'!

All the bitches I've had have started their seasons from just under 6 months up to 7 months.

shes definitely in season as the bleeding has started

Only 21 (or so) days to go, then!

Caryll!!!

It'll fly by, just be aware