Innisfree Posted December 10, 2020 Posted December 10, 2020 We're adopting a young adult female hound mix from a low-budget county pound which doesn't spay or neuter animals before they go home. Our vet says she's just coming into heat, so we should wait a couple of months before spaying her. I've never had a female who wasn't spayed before she came home before. What should I know? Particular concerns: lots of neighbors use electric fences to contain their dogs. At least one of those dogs is an unneutered male. How worried should I be about walking our dog, even though she's always on a leash? She has a lot of energy we need to burn off. We have a good-sized fenced yard, but two more dogs are right behind us, and now I'm worrying about them (or her?) jumping or climbing the five foot fence. All of them are potentially capable of it, though none has ever shown any inclination before. So, maybe on a leash even in the yard? Quote
Pen Posted December 10, 2020 Posted December 10, 2020 (edited) Others with more experience can reply more I hope! dog diapers for indoors can reduce mess dog diapers all the time outdoors when not actually needing to pee/poop could help reduce ability of a male dog to be able to tie / impregnate her - or at least slow him down giving you more time to get her indoors I’m not sure you need a leash all time in a fenced yard, though maybe a short tab type leash hanging from collar all the time to make it easier to lead her in if a male dog is coming would help. work on lots of training, fetch games, hide and seek etc in own yard (and indoors too) while she’s in heat to tire her out A male dog deterrent might help (garden hose? ) can you contact known unneutered male dog owners and work out schedule so their dogs are confined while you exercise yours? Edited December 10, 2020 by Pen 1 Quote
Innisfree Posted December 10, 2020 Author Posted December 10, 2020 I will talk to the owners of the unneutered dog who lives nearest us; we've chatted over the years. That's a good idea about finding out their schedule and working around it. Thanks! 2 Quote
Lori D. Posted December 10, 2020 Posted December 10, 2020 We puppy sit for the puppies being raised for Guide Dogs for the Blind. They have a very conservative policy, as they have their own breeding program and do not want unexpected pregnancies. The females absolutely can not go outside other than on a leash into a fenced/walled backyard to relieve and get a little exercise. There is NO walking of dogs outside of that walled/fenced backyard, as the potential of a male escaping his yard and getting to the female going on a walk is too great. Guide Dogs has us use leashes in the backyard because males in their excitement to get to a female in heat can jump fences and walls to get to the female, so a leash even in the backyard allows for control of the female to be able to quickly reentry into the house if a male unexpectedly jumps the fence into your yard. For inside, there are patterns for sewing your own doggie diaper cover to velcro around the dog, and then you can just attach (and change out as needed) a feminine hygiene pad of whatever size and thickness is needed. Or, there are fully disposable doggie diapers. Note that some females will do a "split heat" for their first heat -- go into heat for just a few days or a week, go out of heat, and then a few weeks later go back into heat. BTW: the female can still be fertile up to 1-2 weeks after the end of visible bleeding/spotting, so whatever precautions you take to keep the female away from males will need to be kept up for awhile after visible signs of heat are gone. Good luck! 3 Quote
Innisfree Posted December 10, 2020 Author Posted December 10, 2020 19 minutes ago, Lori D. said: The females absolutely can not go outside other than on a leash into a fenced/walled backyard to relieve and get a little exercise. There is NO walking of dogs outside of that walled/fenced backyard, as the potential of a male escaping his yard and getting to the female going on a walk is too great. Guide Dogs has us use leashes in the backyard because males in their excitement to get to a female in heat can jump fences and walls to get to the female, so a leash even in the backyard allows for control of the female to be able to quickly reentry into the house if a male unexpectedly jumps the fence into your yard. This is what I was suspecting. Thanks! We all may go a bit nuts if she has to stay in the yard on a leash, but hopefully it won't last too long. Quote
Lori D. Posted December 10, 2020 Posted December 10, 2020 2 minutes ago, Innisfree said: This is what I was suspecting. Thanks! We all may go a bit nuts if she has to stay in the yard on a leash, but hopefully it won't last too long. You might be able to do a work around -- what I wrote was the very conservative policy we have to follow. Maybe drive to a high school during non-school hours and have her run around and chase a ball in a fenced tennis court area? 1 Quote
MercyA Posted December 10, 2020 Posted December 10, 2020 Aww, congrats! We will need pictures! You're doing such a good thing. We found disposable doggie diapers covered in a soft knit diaper cover were most comfortable for our girl and most convenient for us. Yes, sorry, I would not risk taking her anywhere near an unneutered male or leaving her in the fenced yard by herself. This too shall pass! 2 Quote
Selkie Posted December 10, 2020 Posted December 10, 2020 Congrats! Post a pic when you get a chance. We have an adopted female foxhound and she is the sweetest thing ever!❤️ 1 Quote
SounderChick Posted December 10, 2020 Posted December 10, 2020 Ours doesn't pee and poop on walk so we kept them up with a diaper on. We drive a short distance to a trail that is typically empty. 1 Quote
Pen Posted December 10, 2020 Posted December 10, 2020 Dog chastity belt? https://delayherspay.com/blogs/news/we-are-giving-away-dog-chastity-belts-for-a-limited-time Quote
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