1st season

[Misty Taylor]

Our 10 month old whippet Misty is showing signs that she may be coming into her first season, but next week we are booked on a few days holiday and a dog "Fun Day" so it looks like we may have to keep her on lead all the time instead of enjoying seeing her running on a beach. We will be with my daughter and her 2 rescue dogs, both neutered. Any tips please on making this as trouble free as possible? Misty is our first dog so we haven't a clue.

 

[JoanneF]

I'm not going to be much help here, but it may help others to answer your question if you can say whether the beach is one of the secluded, quiet ones; or if there is any likelihood of there being other dogs around.

 

[Hemlock]

First seasons can be quite different from subsequent ones. However, she will be very attractive to other dogs, and she will want to mate as well, so this might be rather stressful for all of you. She might be vocal. If there are any other dogs about, she will be a magnet for them - please be aware that even castrated male dogs can mate and tie. There would not be puppies in that case, but a huge risk of infection.

So if I were you, I'd stay home with her, or else get a house and dog-sitter who is switched-on and totally reliable. Or see if her breeder would board her for the duration, and expect to pay top dollar because keeping an in-season bitch safe from being mated involves a lot of time and effort.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Misty Taylor]

First seasons can be quite different from subsequent ones. However, she will be very attractive to other dogs, and she will want to mate as well, so this might be rather stressful for all of you. She might be vocal. If there are any other dogs about, she will be a magnet for them - please be aware that even castrated male dogs can mate and tie. There would not be puppies in that case, but a huge risk of infection.

So if I were you, I'd stay home with her, or else get a house and dog-sitter who is switched-on and totally reliable. Or see if her breeder would board her for the duration, and expect to pay top dollar because keeping an in-season bitch safe from being mated involves a lot of time and effort.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Thanks for the advice - sounds a much bigger deal than I thought. We'll certainly be keeping a close eye on her.

 

[Inka]

Even if you have 100% recall and an obedient 10 month old...that all goes out of the window when a dog is in season, as hormones kick in and they are more important to the dog than you are or what command you say... so if you decide you are going on your break/fun doggy day invest in a 20' line clip it on her and let it trail so you can easily step on it to gain control rather than running free and 'hoping' she will listen...there are many sprays you can purchase that reduce/masks the smell of her season for male dogs... they are not something I find very useful but others have said they work for them. Wash her down reguarly if she does come into season and you can purchase liquid Chlorophyll ( which is a green pigment found in plants) and that can help mask the smell.

 

[JudyN]

You can also get 'chastity pants' for dogs. I've no experience of these, and ideally you would be managing her well enough that they wouldn't be needed, but could be a form of last defence.

Also, if you do go, I would go with an attitude that if it doesn't work out, you'll come home early (or leave the fun day 10 seconds after arriving if necessary).

 

[Misty Taylor]

Even if you have 100% recall and an obedient 10 month old...that all goes out of the window when a dog is in season, as hormones kick in and they are more important to the dog than you are or what command you say... so if you decide you are going on your break/fun doggy day invest in a 20' line clip it on her and let it trail so you can easily step on it to gain control rather than running free and 'hoping' she will listen...there are many sprays you can purchase that reduce/masks the smell of her season for male dogs... they are not something I find very useful but others have said they work for them. Wash her down reguarly if she does come into season and you can purchase liquid Chlorophyll ( which is a green pigment found in plants) and that can help mask the smell.

Thanks for all the tips - she won't be let off the lead at all and just bought some spray so hoping for the best!