How To Tell If Your Dog Is In Heat

Generally you should avoid breeding your dog during her first heat because most dogs are still very young puppies and physically not completely mature when they go in season for the first time.

How to tell if your dog is in heat. Ideally your dog should be spayed before she enters her first heat cycle. A puppy can go into heat sooner than you think. Proestrus is the start of the heat period where your dog s body is preparing to mate. Know where she is at all times to prevent unwanted suitors from mating with your dog.

At this time estrogen levels first increase and then sharply decrease and mature eggs are released from the ovaries. Signs seen during this phase include a swollen vulva blood tinged discharge excessive licking of the genital area clingy behavior and aggression toward male dogs. Dogs come into heat about twice per year though small breed dogs may experience three heat cycles per year. Giant breed dogs may only have one heat cycle every 12 to 18 months.

This is the fourth and final stage of the dog heat cycle when your dog is normal. Proestrus is the period before actual heat and can last between 6 and 11 days. To tell if your dog is in heat look for swelling of its vulva or vaginal bleeding which are both early signs. Also note any strange behavior that your dog is exhibiting like increased barking nervousness or agitation since dogs that are in heat will often act differently than they usually do.

According to vca hospitals your female dog will experience her first heat cycle when she reaches sexual maturity which is around six months of age. You might even consider using a leash. When does a dog experience her first estrus. During this period bleeding occurs this alerts owners so they know that the heat cycle is near if your dog has long hair and washes constantly it may be difficult to notice bleeding.

Even if you consider your dog extremely well trained walking off leash is a no no when your dog is in heat. Watch her dog heat signs. Protect your dog from male dogs and unwanted pregnancy. The canine estrus cycle commonly referred to as the dog heat cycle occurs every 6 to 12 months.

This stage last about 60 90 days at the end of which the entire heat cycle starts again. Go out into the yard with your dog when she s in heat.