The experienced breeder can usually tell as soon as the cycle begins, but to the everyday dog owner it may go undetected until around day four when signs become more distinct.
There are many important things to know about the heat cycle for the breeder as well as the average dog owner.
Stages of the Estrus Cycle
The heat cycle consists of four stages. They are proestrus, estrus, metestrus or diestrus, and anestrus. Vaginal discharge and male dogs being attracted to the females characterize proestrus, lasting between four and twenty days, but they will not be willing to mate at this time.
Estrus, about five to thirteen days long, is when mating actually happens. The dog will exhibit a swollen vulva and yellowish discharge. Metestrus lasts for around sixty to ninety days after estrus. Pregnancy occurs during this phase lasting for about sixty to sixty-four days.
The next five to eleven months are a period of anestrus or inactivity.
What to do When (or Before) Your Dog Goes into Heat
First of all, if you do not want your dog to get pregnant or would not be able to take care of the puppies if she did, be extremely careful to keep your dog inside or contained where she will not be unsupervised for males to have access to her.
Be sure to walk her on a leash and you can put a small amount of menthol on the tip of her tail to help mask the scent. Cleaning up after the dog in the house can be painstaking. You may want to designate an area of the house strictly for the dog that will be easier to clean up, such as a bathroom.
There are also panties and diapers made specifically for dogs that can be used so you do not have to clean up after the dog at all. You want to be careful to keep the dog clean, particularly when using these products, because they will not allow her to keep herself clean and can lead to build-up.
Many dogs become easily excitable and apprehensive during heat. You can help calm them by keeping them away from children and other dogs and by spending one on one peaceful, consoling time with them.
For both overpopulation and health reasons, it is highly recommended to have dogs spayed before their first cycle, which can occur at as early as five months old for smaller dogs. For dogs intended for breeding, it is ill advised to breed during the dog’s first heat cycle.
Breeding a dog that is too young can cause costly or even fatal complications for the mother and/or the puppies because the dog is not fully developed and therefore not ready for the pregnancy and birthing processes.