6 Things Owners Should Do When Their Female Dog Is in Heat
📝 Summary
A female dog in heat needs special care. Keep records from the first sign of blood, give her quiet rest, manage walks, watch her urination, never let her out of sight, and show extra patience and affection.
1 Overview
Keep a record
A dog’s heat cycle usually lasts about six months; most breeds come into heat twice within twelve months, while a few breeds only once.
So whatever breed you keep, start recording from the very first day she bleeds — it will save you a lot of trouble six months later.
Sleep
At night, give her a space where she can rest on her own, such as a crate.
This is not because you fear blood getting everywhere — dog diapers are easy to find, after all. A female in heat is simply more sensitive to her surroundings now, so she needs quiet rest.
Walks
Avoid contact with dog friends she used to play with.
No matter how good their usual relationship, when two males meet a female in heat, a fight is almost inevitable — especially with owners who refuse to leash their dogs.
So keep your dog under control during this period and avoid busy dog areas; this spares you worry and lightens the burden on others too.
Fighting for mating rights is not just an animal instinct — humans do it too.
Urination
A female in heat will urinate more than usual.
That is because she uses these scents to attract males to find her — it is pure dog instinct!
She may even urinate indoors during this time; don’t worry, it is normal.
Keep an eye on her
When outside, never let her out of your sight.
If a male forces himself on your female, I’m sorry to say that short of extreme measures, nothing will separate the two.
A female dog has a ‘tie’ inside her womb; once the male enters, her ‘tie’ locks his organ in place and only releases gradually after he finishes ejaculating, which takes about 20 minutes.
Never try to separate them by hitting the dogs or their genitals — it is simply impossible. Blame yourself for not watching her.
Give her a little more love
A female in heat becomes irritable and sensitive.
Don’t just tell her to ‘drink more warm water’ in words; be more considerate, give her more love — a gentle stroke in daily life, or an extra bit of meat at mealtime.
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