Taking Care Of A Labradoodle In Heat
If you have a female Labradoodle thats about to go into heat, you will soon discover that it can be a full-time job to look after her. Every male in the neighborhood can tell that she is in heat, and they will do whatever they can to mate with your dog.
Some of my friends with female dogs have told me how theyve had neighbor dogs getting themselves stuck in their fence, trying to get to their dog, only to find they couldnt get through the fence and instead end up getting stuck.
And when they tried to get the dog unstuck, he would growl and snap at them, so getting him out of the fence was quite the challenge.
Luckily they kept their female dog in a kennel with a roof on so there was no way he would be able to mount her anyway, but that certainly didnt stop him from trying.
One thing I would strongly advise that you do to protect not only your dog but also your home is to put her in a diaper for dogs.
Not only will these diapers help keep your carpet clean from blood spatters, but they can also work as a modern-day chastity belt for your pup as no male dog will be able to mate with her when the diaper is in place.
I dont have a female dog currently, but a lot of the fellow dog owners in my social circle recommend the Pet Parents Washable diapers as a product they\ve been very satisfied with.
Check this link to find the current best price on these diapers.
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Stages Of A Female Canines Reproductive Cycle
Now that When do german shepherds go into heat is answered, lets take a more in-depth look. If you are interested in breeding, heres what you need to know about dogs and their reproductive cycles:
Pro Estrus: At this stage, estrogen levels peak. Your dog will not be receptive to male dogs. However, this wont prevent them from giving unwanted attention! This stage is also accompanied by bloody vaginal discharge. 9 days is a standard for this stage. It is like other standards, quite flexible, and can be for more or less. It may even go up to 27 days or so.
Estrus: In this stage, your dog will be ready to mate. Their vulvar discharge will become less red. 9 days is also a non-rigid standard for this period. Again it could take a few less and quite a few more days.
Ditestrus: In this phase, successful fertilization results in pregnancy. It lasts for two months.
Anestrus: If no successful fertilization occurs, your dog reverts to Anestrus. The cycle begins again in about four months after this phase.
To prevent fertilization, you will have to keep your dog inside at all times. Going outside will attract some neutered and intact GSD crowd. Speaking of Male GSD attention, does a male GSD need to be in the heat too?
Dog Diapers For German Shepherds To Prevent Pregnancy
There are several types of dog diapers and pants available for larger dogs such as the German Shepherd. Using dog diapers can help in the preventing of stained carpet and furniture during her heat cycle. Dog Diapers may be a great way to protect your Shepherd from unwanted pregnancies as well. Dog diapers also can mean a lot less cleanup for you. There are several types of dog diapers to choose from. There are the disposable and reusable dog diapers. Each one has benefits of its own.
Some pet owners prefer to use disposable just for their convenience. The reusable dog diapers can be washed and reused. Reusable dog diapers come in assorted fabrics, colors and patterns. Pet Parents makes a washable dog diaper available at Amazon that comes in a 3 pack. It has 3 different sizes . This product works very well for the intended purpose and is even listed as Useful for female dogs in heat.
If you prefer a disposable dog diaper for controlling your German Shepherd heat cycle, then try the Simple Solution Disposable Diapers for Dogs. These disposable dog diapers come in 5 sizes from x-small to x-large.
Other products that are well worth considering are dog wipes, that deodorize and clean. Our favorite is the Natures Miracle Deodorizing Spring Water Wipes for German Shepherds There are products to use in the yard that may help deodorize the yard.
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Do Female Dogs Cry When They Are In Heat
As our female dogs hit the estrus phase of their period, vocalizing increases even more, especially if you have an active male dog in the household.
Male dogs in the neighborhood respond to moaning, whining, weeping, and even screams as a sort of call to come and mate.
We may struggle at times watching them in pain but be reminded that it is a normal process. If you cant bear it, find ways to keep them active and distracted, which has been proven to help and recommended by all pet experts.
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C Bath Your German Shepherd
Though she will try to keep her clean during the cycle, but cannot do it thoroughly. So you should maintain her on regular bathing during her cycle. Bloodstains on her body can stick to the fur and make her unhygienic, so try using a conditioner for her. Do not exceed over bathing it will make her skin dry.
If your GSD is reluctant to take a bath during this period, dont force her to do so and take her away very calmly and gently. Instead, try using fragrances to make her smell right.
Interesting fact: Your grown-up GSD can also use pampers like a human baby! Yeah, you read it right. Pampering the female during heat will help protect furniture from the blood spots.
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How Old Does A German Shepherd Need To Be To Breed
When I bred my first female German Shepherd, I did not breed her before she had her third season. After talking to the Breeder that I purchased my dog from, he told me to wait until your dog has had her fourth season before you breed her, but she should be three years old or older before she is bred. He has experience breeding a female too young and its a risk because some female will not want to take care of her puppies because shes too immature and then he would have to bottle feed all the pups to save the letter, and thats a lot of work and time youll spend taking care of puppies.
Just in case youre wondering
Male German Shepherds can be bred at 18 months up throughout their lives, but its not being bred they can become sterile as they ages.
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When Is A German Shepherds First Heat
For large breeds such as the standard German shepherd, the first heat occurs from nine to twelve months. However, depending on how large the species is, the first heat may occur at varying times.
Since weve mentioned smaller breeds German shepherds, it is important to note that the heat phase can be experienced by them from even at six months of age.
Yes, thats a bit difficult to embrace, but its the reality that we have to brace ourselves mentally in order to help our pets get through it unscathed.
The only way to prevent this from happening is to take them to the vet for neutering, which is a usually safe procedure, preventing both heat and pregnancy as a whole.
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What Does In Heat Mean
When a dog is in heat, it means that they are going through their natural menstrual cycle. This period of time is often referred to as the estrus, as it indicates when estrogen levels rise and the female is ready to mate with males. Other common nicknames include in season, dog period, or any other creative names you can think of!
Unlike a human menstrual cycle that lasts between 5-7 days, a dog will be in heat for around 2-4 weeks. The whole cycle itself is a long and drawn-out process that only occurs twice a year.
In most cases, a female dog can enter her first heat cycle at 6-9 months old. Some might even be a year old before they are first in heat. It mostly depends on the size of the dog, as some will inevitably be much larger than others. They will enter their first heat cycle when they reach sexual maturity.
While the heat cycle is a natural process, there is a safe way to eradicate the fuss about the cycle if you dont want your dog to procreate. This is called spaying. When a dog has been spayed, her reproductive organs have been removed, so she can no longer reproduce, which stops the heat cycle forever.
When Do German Shepherds Go Into Heat For The First Time
In approximation, your german shepherd could go through their first heat anywhere between six to eight months of age. This, however, is not a fixed parameter. It could happen anywhere, some late bloomers could take up to a year. When do german shepherds go into heat for the first time? It depends really. Two years is not out of the question either.
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Signs Of Estrus In German Shepherds
So how do you know if your German Shepherd is in estrus? With this being a dogs most fertile period, its important to be aware of the signs.
Whether you are choosing to breed or avoiding pregnancy in your furry friend, knowing the signs of estrus can help you and your pup in the long run.
Some of the most common signs of estrus in German Shepherds include:
- Swollen vulva
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Caring For Male German Shepherds During The Heat Cycle
While male German Shepherds wont go through a heat cycle, they will still act very differently when they are around a female in heat. If you have a male dog, you might want to read this section to get an idea of how to deal with him as his mating instincts are on high alert.
Remember that it doesnt matter whether your male dog has been neutered or not odds are that theyve forgotten their bits dont work anymore.
How Often Does A German Shepherd Go Into Heat
Some German Shepherd females may go into heat every 4 months, while others may only have one heat cycle per year. The length of the cycle might also vary with some dogs experiencing cycles that last longer than 28 days. Every female German Shepherd will have her own cycle and you will need to learn to anticipate it to help your dog through the process.
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In Summation: When Does A German Shepherd Go Into Heat
Remember to observe your Shepherd. Figure out what her heat signs are and her behaviors mean. Identifying where she is at all hours during their fertile times will support you preventing an unwanted dad from mating with her.
Make sure your vet checks it out and make sure that you will go through all the activity necessary to raise Shepherd puppies carefully BEFORE you ever breed them. When you have a male and are you not interested in employing him as a stud consider having him neutered.
Phases Of Dog Heat Cycles
A female dogs reproductive cycle is called an estrous cycle and is broken down into three different phases:
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What About German Shepherds In Heat
Like every other female unspayed dog, German Shepherds will all go through their heat cycle. The only difference is that due to their size, this large breed is likely to have to wait a bit longer for their first heat cycle to arrive.
It is always recommended to keep an eye on your female German Shepherd for signs of the estrus cycle from when she reaches 4 months old. However, it is likely that your dog wont enter her first cycle until shes around 1, maybe even 2, years old. This is purely due to the size of the dog and is nothing to worry about.
Why Is My German Shepherd Puppy Hot
If he does have a fever, take him to the vet asap. Puppies fall between 99 to 100 degrees. If it is due to his enviroment that he is hot, I would make sure he has plenty of water and an area, like your hard wood floors, he can lay on and cool down. With time, he should be able to adjust to the weather.
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Is My Female Gsd In Heat How Can I Tell
Is my female GSD in heat? How will I know? What do I do? Intact female dogs , and that are sexually mature are said to be in estrus, “in heat”, or “in season”, during their occasional “cycle” in preparation to breed and reproduce.
On average, the complete canine reproductive heat cycle takes about 6 months in length which results in about 2 heat cycles each year for most female Alsatian dogs. Be aware of all aspects of your dogs health and behavioral life, prepare accordingly and you should both have a long and healthy life together.
Female German Shepherds, also called bitches, generally have their first heat cycle at around 6 to 12 months of age. Sometimes, a female GSD in heat may not have their first seasonal estrus cycle until they are 12 months of age or older, depending on that particular dog. Remember, however, that this information is very general and not all female dogs will follow these exact patterns.
Overall, each individual female dogs heat cycle pattern tends to be relatively close to the basic average, length wise, however lengths of heat cycles may differ from female to female when the female German Shepherd goes into heat.
Remember these important points concerning your female GSD in heat and her yearly heat cycles and prepare accordingly.
First, assume your dog to be “in season” for at least 21 days, possibly longer, which will vary due to your own individual females heat cycle.
How Many Times A Year Will My German Shepherd Come Into Heat
As German Shepherd is also a large breed, they will exhibit only one heat during a year. This interval can be even longer, showing one heat every eighteen months.
It is something that cannot be claimed with surety, but you can only guess. There is a considerable variation to answer this question, despite the perfectly normal dogs physiology.
If we generally talk about dogs, they exhibit heat twice per year, but with the larger breeds such as Great Danes, there are more extended periods between the heat cycles.
Helpful fact: It is okay to try predicting and planning for a heat cycle, but dont always write it in stone. It can fluctuate from the expected occurrence time. Relax!
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