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Nettle wrote:Good diary, Clare - you will find that a helpful reference for the future, as will anyone who reads this to learn more about the realities of ladydogs on heat.
Thank you I'm so proud of Ted's behaviour, although obviously he takes some managing, it is very easy now I know what I'm doing. It clearly is easier with tiny dogs than it would be with large ones but overall its really not that much trouble
delladooo wrote:Brilliant info Clare. MiMi's now 10 months and we're still season free. Not sure when to expect any action so not really thinking about it
All the info is on this thread for her first season too if you wanted to read it
An interesting observation (it happened after the last season too, but I can't be sure it was at the exact same time as I really didn't make a note of it).
We're about 3 months past the start of her season and she's gone in a "humpy" phase where she humps a toy a few times a day. It's not problem and last time it only lasted a few weeks but it is interesting. Any thoughts Nettle?
I should add Ted is acting no different with her, but she has started playing with him again after steadfastly refusing to when I put them back together after her season despite his best efforts!
I've just done a bit of detective work and it was around the same sort of timing after her first season that she went "humpy". So its clearly a hormone thing but it sounds like the message to her brain is a bit confused Bless her, she's so hilarious.
The upside is its not distressing for her (it's all sorts of fun gadding around with your stuffed lion to hump) so I really can't see a reason to spay her unless something changes.
Life's too short to worry about a dog humping a cuddly toy
I've been thinking a bit more about the whole situation. During and after her season (prior to the humpy phase) she tends to be quieter, doesn't want to play with Ted, doesn't want to chase crows (one of her fave things to do on a walk) and she puts a bit of weight on and is generally more lethargic. The humpy phase is almost like she comes out of that quieter phase and its all very exciting and whaaaaaa, must play with Ted, must hump stuff, must kill the toy, must chase all the crows. I've no doubt hormones are also at play but I think partly there is an element of her feeling "better" / back to her normal self and that manifesting in general excitement that needs to go somewhere until she gets used to it again
Me again! MiMi's just over one now and I *think* she might be coming into heat. It seems she's swelled a bit and she's licking it quite a lot but there's no discharge at all. Sound like it could be or am I just looking into it too hard?
Some don't discharge at all. Some do but they are so neat at cleaning up that we don't see. Most first seasons are a bit different from the rule book anyway.
Get a white towel or tissue and press it against her vulva, which will show if there is any 'colour'. But assume she is coming in season and keep her away from male dogs. You'll find out over the next few days if she is.
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog
I keep a diary of what happens for my own reference, I'm posting it in here in case its useful to anyone.
Ella's (long coated chihuahua aged just over 26 months) third season - diary
Background - Ted (long coated chihuahua aged 4.5) is not a stud dog but is entire and has a reasonable amount of experience of being around bitches in season so that, combined with his personality and small size makes him reasonably easy to manage around Ella. Ella seems to have a tendency to enter into the fertile period very late in the season rather than around a week to 10 days in like most b*tches do).
There was a 31 week gap between her second season and this, her third season, she had a little growth spurt just before it and her coat has really changed to a much more adult coat. So much for toy dogs maturing in 6 to 12 months!
Third Season aged around 26 months
28 December 2015 - 18 January 2016
1. 28th December - Increased sniffing from Ted, slightly swollen.
2. 29th December - Lots more sniffing and licking. Slightly swollen, Ella has started cleaning herself. Started bleeding.
3-8. 30th December - 4th January Swollen and bleeding, keeping herself clean.
9. 5th January – Ted slightly more interested but still able to have them out together.
10. 6th January – Ella shivery and clingy, had vet check, medically everything was fine.
11. 7th January – Still a bit shivery and clingy but much more settled than yesterday
12. 8th January - As on the 7th
13. 9th January – Ted much more interested but still able to have them out together provided I am present
14. 10th January – Ted cried for Ella to come out of her crate, fine off lead together on the morning's walk but can't have them out together at home even when I am present. Did manage to settle them on either side of me on the sofa for a few hours after their dinner.
15. 11th January – Ok to walk on and off lead as long as closely supervised. I can have Ella out on the sofa next to me on an evening and once I've refused to let Ted up next to her a few times he gives up. Obviously they are completely separated other than this and their walks.
16. 12th January – As 11th
17. 13th January – As 12th but Ted also kept checking on Ella in the night. This was arguably the "worst" day.
18. 14th January – As 12th but less checking in the night.
19. 15th January – Ted is slightly less interested now but they have still been separated when not on a walk.
20. 16th January – Able to be back together provided I am in the room.
21. 17th January - Able to be back together provided I am in the room.
22. 18th January – Totally back to normal
Edited to add, this season I have managed to maintain her exercise at the same level throughout (previous seasons she has had somewhat reduced walks compared to normal for some of it, say 1 to 2 hours a day rather than the 2 to 3 hours that she is used to). This is the first season where she hasn't put weight on, so I have learned my lesson to be more creative so that I can get her out walking at the same level as normal.
Brilliant information - thanks for sharing This will be useful to so many people. Detailed observations like these ought to be an essential part of veterinary training.
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog
Interesting read Clare thanks! Particularly as Hattie is due in season now. However despite a few changes in her behaviour, increased marking, sniffing everything (a 5 min walk to get to the beach takes about 20 mins at the mo!), nothing else appears to be happening! Isn't there a saying about a watched pot or something? !! Also, now we have Mostyn, it will take things to a new level in terms of managing things..so great to read your observations on their interactions
Can't believe Ted is 4 and a half already! It's scary how quickly the years have gone by!!!
I seem to have it relatively easy, partly because Ella never stands and flags she pretty much doesn't want anyone sniffing around her at any time during her cycle, partly because Ted is very well behaved and only thinks about pestering her when she's fertile and also because they're tiny so I can afford to try getting them to settle on either side of me because if they won't I can easily pick them both up and separate them