Dog in Heat Questions

[MNMEAD]

I just got the text from my wife that our 9mo old GSP just went into heat. We knew it was only a matter of days, its been obvious it was close for the past week and a half or so. I've never had a dog go into heat. Every dog I had growing up was spayed before the first cycle, but we wanted to wait with her until she was a year old based on some newer guidelines from research and vets. Is there anything I need to be aware of (other than male dogs) in daily life or the next couple of weeks of hunting? I assume everything is business as usual and she can work just as much as she has, but wanted to verify with others too.

 

[goldenboy]

Just keep a close eye on her. She can hunt and do anything you normally do. It will last about 2 weeks!

 

[Glock]

Our 10 month lab just went into heat yesterday. Besides spotting there is little difference in her. As mentioned, if there are male dogs in the neighborhood, I would watch her close.

 

[Springer22]

I too went through this back in October. I just kept a close eye on her and didn’t leave her unattended even in my fenced in backyard. I personally did have an incident with rather large temperament change. I believe there were other factors but I do think her hormones played a role.

 

[Alaskan swamp collies]

They hunt just fine in heat. Just keep them close so nobody else runs into you. Now if you also have an intact male he maybe out to lunch for a while.

 

[MNMEAD]

So far so good. She’s been extra clingy but maybe I am reading into things. Thanks all!

 

[MinnHunter]

We put dog diapers on ours. They worked but it was a pain taking them on and off for bathroom breaks.