Surprise, Surprise..

[Jessika]

Now before I get into my story I would like to say I would appreciate it if you all wouldn't preach to me to get her spayed, because it is on my list of priorities, but due to certain circumstances now and in the past few months has not been possible, but it WILL be done.

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So I woke up this morning and Jamie has started to go in heat. Or rather, she is bleeding so she isn't in the 'heat' phase yet if I read correctly. It wasn't bleeding a lot at first and she was doing good with cleaning herself then throughout the morning its progressively bleeding a little more heavily or she's just getting lazy and hasn't been cleaning herself. I don't know. In any case, I have her outside right now because really she's allowed up on the bed and couch and I don't want to get anything on them.. I've already had to clean up a few spots on the carpet. I don't want to keep her outside though either since its not COLD today but its definitely not warm. And I WILL NOT keep her outside over night since it has been dropping below freezing and not only that but I just won't do it.

I know they make diapers for this time of the 'year' (haha) but I'm afraid she won't keep it on. During the daytime its not so much of a problem since I can monitor her and make sure it stays on. But its while I'm sleeping that is going to worry me. Jamie and Charlie both sleep with us up on the bed at night and I don't want her getting it loose or whatever and me waking up to find a nice mess on the bed...

And no, I don't have a crate or that would have been my option.

So any thoughts or suggestions, or if any of you have had dogs her size/breed go into heat before, what are your experiences, and if you've used diapers also do you find they try to take them off???

[ramanth]

I would say try the diaper. If she tries to take it off, then put a cone on her. She won't look very attractive but it'll do the trick. I'm not sure of the area you are in, but don't leave her outside unattended. If there are any stray unneutered males, well.... I'm sure you can figure out what'll happen.

And don't under estimate the determination of a male. I've seen dogs climb fences to get at a female in heat.

[Jessika]

Ohh I know. She's outside on the tie-out right now, and I can see her from where I'm sitting (I'm like, four feet from the front door) and I've been watching her like a hawk.

Thanks I'll look into it

[beeniesmom]

I thought that Beenie would pull the diaper off but she didn't.
She has now been spayed so we don't have that issue anymore.
As for sleeping in the bed, it's still possible.
Just put a towel in between you and hubby and put her diaper on anyway. She may get out of it but the towel will protect the bed from unwanted stains. :P
I wouldn't keep her ouside though... Probably be better for her to be closed in the bathroom with her bed until you get diapers and put a thick towel on her bed. Male dogs can get pretty aggressive when they want a female. You or her could get bitten in a confrontation.

[beeniesmom]

embarrassing info to talk about...
but before I could get her the diapers... I used an underwear of mine and a pad and she kept it on...

[Jessika]

Oh I know, but trust me, its more cruel to keep her in my tiny poor-excuse for a bathroom than tying her up outside. This is only the first day, and the only time I'm going to have her outside unless she has to potty. Maybe the bathroom is an idea for while we're not at home or something though.. I don't know. I've had to do it with Charlie before when he had diarrhea so its not all THAT bad I suppose.

Does anyone know if Walmart carries them?? For some reason I doubt it.. but that's the only place even remotely near us (except for Petsmart 45 minutes away) that carries pet items.

Thanks though so far you guys have been a big help! ♥♥♥

EDIT: omg I hadn't even thought about that!! If worse comes to worse that's something I will have to take into consideration... embarassing as it may be. THANKS haha

[beeniesmom]

I don't remember seeing them at Walmart.
I got Beenies at Petsmart... an hour from me too.
How big is she in lbs.
I still have Beenie's contraption thingie. You just change the pads twice a day.
I could mail you hers if you think it would fit.

[lv4dogs]

I wouldn't leave her outside alone, a male dog can smell a female dog in heat for miles!! And some male dogs are pretty focused on getting to the source. Thats how a LOT of accidental litters happen. All it takes is just a few minutes. Some male dogs can even smell it through the house so don't be surprised if you have any males on your porch waiting for her to come outside. But when they are bleeding *most* females will not allow a male to mate with her, BUT I have heard about some females that will and even female dogs that have got raped. Yes it can happen to dogs too.

She will be in heat for about 3 weeks (even if there is no bleeding). And any reputable vet will not spay her while she's in heat so no one should even pester you about that as it's too late now, nothing can be done until she comes out of heat.

Other than crating her or using a diaper I don't know to tell you. You may just have to buy a diaper & see how she acts with it on & hopes she behaves during the night.

Good luck!

[lv4dogs]

Ohh I know. She's outside on the tie-out right now, and I can see her from where I'm sitting (I'm like, four feet from the front door) and I've been watching her like a hawk.

Thanks I'll look into it

I know you know but all it takes is a few seconds. You take a trip to the fridge to bathroom & boom she can be hooked by a male.

[JenBKR]

I have seen them at Walmart before, but I think they only had one brand. I would imagine that would work...this may sound stupid, but if they don't have any at WalMart maybe you could buy depends until you can get to Petsmart

[Jessika]

But she isn't in the phase where she would let a male mount her first off and secondly she isn't in the ovulation phase, so she couldn't get pregnant. Correct me if I'm wrong, and yes I know males can "rape" her. And I know I should NEVER assume but I'm in an area where there are hardly any stray dogs and the members here have brains enough to either keep them leashed or indoors. Though as I said I should never assume and ANYthing could happen. It's just I DO NOT have a lot of options. If I did, she wouldn't be out there right now. The furniture in here IS NOT mine, its our landlord's. And not only that, but we are in the process of getting ready to move in the next two weeks, so I can't really risk anything right now.

I'm not sure of her weight in pounds, she hasn't been weighed in awhile. Though I think its safe to say she's around 40 pounds, as its average for dogs of her age/breed.

thanks guys

EDIT: Depends, hmm, that's also a good idea I wouldn't have otherwise thought of. Thanks!

[beeniesmom]

I'm not sure of her weight in pounds, she hasn't been weighed in awhile. Though I think its safe to say she's around 40 pounds, as its average for dogs of her age/breed.

No, it's too small. Beenie is 20 lbs. sorry.

[lv4dogs]

But she isn't in the phase where she would let a male mount her first off and secondly she isn't in the ovulation phase, so she couldn't get pregnant. Correct me if I'm wrong, and yes I know males can "rape" her. And I know I should NEVER assume but I'm in an area where there are hardly any stray dogs and the members here have brains enough to either keep them leashed or indoors. Though as I said I should never assume and ANYthing could happen. It's just I DO NOT have a lot of options. If I did, she wouldn't be out there right now. The furniture in here IS NOT mine, its our landlord's. And not only that, but we are in the process of getting ready to move in the next two weeks, so I can't really risk anything right now.

No she *shouldn't* allow a male dog to mate her but that doesn't mean it can't happen. And she *probably* isn't in the ovulation phase either... but not all dogs bleed for the entire time they are supposed to. Each dog is different so ya never know. I know it's something that I wouldn't chance no matter what the odds are.

And although your neighbors are good about keeping their dogs confined again you just never know. One may get loose by accident or something. And I have actually seen dogs, even well behaved dogs go through house windows, chew tie outs, jump fences, & the such to get a female in heat. Male dogs go to extremes to get a female in heat.

[Jessika]

Well its only the first day so I think its safe to assume she isn't in the ovulation phase yet. REGARDLESS that does not mean that I shouldn't take all the precautions, you are entirely correct. But as I said, for this point in time (and probably ONLY for today and *I* don't even like the thought of her being outside, whether I'm keeping an eye on her, or not) its my only option. Someone mentioned putting her in the bathroom but my bathroom is so small it would almost be cruel (but, still an option nontheless). I may consider the bathroom here in another hour or so if I can't come up with a better temporary solution (I DID like the pad and old pair of panties idea... )

No, it's too small. Beenie is 20 lbs. sorry.

That's all right, its the thought that counts, and thank you anyway!!

EDIT: This is breaking my heart, I brought her inside and put her in the bathroom, and she's in there crying. The poor girl. She even tried doing 'bow' multiple times (if you've read my other thread you'd know the frustrations I had with trying to teach that one!!) to show me she's a good girl and why did I put her in the bathroom??

My only concern is her scratching the door or eating the shower mat, haha.

[Kfamr]

Do you have a crate, a x-pen, something? Is Charlie fixed?

Honestly, I think she'll survive a while in the restroom until you figure out something. It's a lot better than bringing puppies into the world!