It will also depend on where they live as some climates are temperate year round. In general, however, the heat period for dogs will intensify during spring and summer. It is difficult to say whether a dog's sexual behavior is inappropriate. The problem is that we have domesticated canines. If the dog was in the wild, they would be able to play out their sexual activity in a natural way with other members of their species. Because we keep dogs with us in the family, we need to take care of their needs, but this can be difficult when they reach sexual maturity.
Part of the problem is that animal shelters already have a heavy strain with unwanted dogs. Unscrupulous breeders and negligent guardians will breed the dogs to the point of a surplus. Many people think they can take on the responsibility of looking after a dog, but then abandon them when they cannot meet this responsibility.
Approximately 3. While many employees and volunteers work diligently to rehome these animals, around , of these dogs are euthanized. Fortunately, while this number is still too high, it has been going down.
Part of the reason for this is due to the intensive campaigns to spay and neuter pets. Unwanted pregnancies , however, are not the only benefit of sterilizing pets. A dog's problematic behavior during sexual maturity or their heat cycle is related to hormones.
For female dogs, hormones released by the ovaries are particularly influential on their sexual behavior. For male dogs, hormones released in the testicles are the most common cause. Neutering and sterilization can take many forms, but the most effective are;.
Drugs can be used to prevent the estrus cycle or reduce sexual behavior. However, they are temporary, not as effective and may have unwanted side effects. Neutering is much more effective and has the following benefits:. Some claim that neutering can lead to obesity in dogs. However, if you exercise them properly and provide an appropriate diet, there is no reason they can't be healthy and happy. Shelter Intake and Surrender.
Share on:. By Eduarda Piamore , Expert in canine and feline psychology, education and training.. June 5, This cycle is: Proestrus : the female's eggs start to mature and estrogen levels begin to rise. This stage can last for different lengths of time, but usually around 7 to 12 days.
The dog is not fertile, but their vulva becomes inflamed and bloody discharge may be seen. The bitch will often lick the area to relieve frustration.
Estrus : the dog's estrogen levels are very high and the eggs are released from her ovaries. The female dog will accept the male at this point, but her behavior will be very restless and erratic until this occurs. Diestrus : this phase lasts for different lengths of time depending on whether the dog is impregnated. The dog's progesterone levels are high.
For this reason, pseudopregnancy can occur whereby the bitch will exhibit nesting behaviors and may even start to produce milk. If he mounts your leg or those of children or chairs, let him know that this is unacceptable. The best way to dissuade the dog is to give a correction and to distract him by giving him something else to do at the time.
Give him a toy, or a bone, or do a little obedience — anything to take his mind off it. If he persists, notify your advisor or area coordinator to receive support regarding the issue. We cannot have our guide dogs marking.
Prevention of this can often be successful by allowing urination only on flat surfaces and not near bushes or trees. To learn more about correcting this behavior, please contact your advisor or area coordinator. If your mature male puppy has a copious discharge from his penis, notify the Foundation. Occasionally such a condition requires medication, but most times a small amount of discharge is normal.
All of our puppies being raised can be considered for further evaluation and acceptance into the breeding colony. The dogs accepted into the breeding program must be the best of the best. Therefore, they must be puppy raised to the same standards as the other pups in the program.
Your advisor will contact you regarding breeding clearances. The clearances include eye exams, heart exams, kennel stays, and temperament evaluations.
We might request additional clearances done and this process can last until the pup is over a year old. If you are notified that the pup you are raising is on "breeder hold" it is not a guarantee they will be accepted into our breeding colony. The whole litter, all the males, or all the females of a litter will be on hold and usually one or two of the dogs in the litter are selected.
If it is time for your dog to be spayed representative of the Guide Dog Foundation will contact you. Your advisor or area coordinator will reach out to you regarding the pup's spay or neuter anytime between months of age. Please do not get your pup rayed without permission from the Guide Dog Foundation. After the pro-oestrus stage, the female will enter the oestrus stage — which lasts around 9 days. During this time, you may notice more vulval swelling, enlargement of the mammary glands and bloody discharge, which can vary from just a few spots to a constant trail.
During the oestrus stage, she will be highly fertile and ready sometimes extremely keen! Males will also show even more interest in her than they would previously have done. No feeding changes will be needed though, due to the hormonal changes, you may notice a mild change in appetite in your dog, but this is not something to be overly concerned about.
Be aware that there may be some discharge from the vulva and blood so you might want to avoid taking her into certain areas such as carpeted floors! As the physical signs of oestrus subside, you may notice that your dog starts to become clingy or restless due to the hormonal changes. If this occurs, it tends to happen about weeks after the end of her season. She may display the following symptoms:. Luckily, false pregnancy in dogs does pass normally between weeks , and usually no treatment is needed, although if she shows severe aggression or very obsessive nesting behaviour your vet may advise some medical management.
It is worth being aware that often once false pregnancy in dogs starts, she will continue to have them each heat. Males do not have a season like bitches, and once sexually mature they can breed all the time, although are at their most fertile between around months old.
Usually, the testicles in a male puppy will descend into the scrotum very shortly after birth but sometimes they may take over one month and, very rarely, up to 1 year although usually they have descended by 3 months of age when you take your puppy for his second vaccine.
Once the testicles descend and his testosterone levels begin to rise, the puppy will start to lift their leg to urinate. The increased hormones can sometimes lead to behavioural changes including aggression, but these are very variable and differ between individual dogs. Now you know everything you need to know about dog puberty! Looking for more puppy advice? Read our puppy adolescence article. Take the worry out of puppy parenting! Get weekly, pawsonalised puppy advice delivered straight to your inbox and receive unrivalled access to our expert team of in-house vets, behaviourists, and advisors.
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