Sparkles99
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Ruby is 9 months old now & is growing up. The cytology they did mid-October made the vets think she'd had a silent heat around then. Unfortunately, it looks like it was more of a very long one or possibly a split heat. Regardless, she's in standing heat right now. In retrospect, I definitely noticed bleeding by November 20 (thought it was a UTI & got concerned). It has started to wane & much of it is now clear-ish as of today. She has the anatomical changes too - trying to be sensitive to the word censor & young minors here.
The issue: I live in an apartment. I don't have access to a private, fenced backyard without a male dog around. Normally, I'd visit a relative's small, fenced yard or my parents' large, unfenced one with an 8 m flexi lead. Or we'd visit the park when big dogs weren't around. And we'd take walks.
Apparently, even neutered male dogs are driven mad by females at this time & all of them climb fences (argh!). Added to this, there's a neighbour who's always taken an over interest in Ruby's growth & development who has an intact male dog around her size & has said disturbing things like, "Let nature take its course." or "Well, she's not rejecting him!" when she was barely 7 months old. Of course she wasn't. She's a friendly, well socialized dog & is an animal. She's also 9 months old & is a pet.
I'm not interested in becoming a backyard breeder, introducing unwanted lives or ruining my dog with a pregnancy before she's done growing (or in general). I hope to eventually do some competitions, like the Canine Good Neighbour test & possibly more, once we get the basics down pat.
Meanwhile, my quiet sheltie (yes, this is possible, I have/had one) is becoming increasingly frustrated & barky. She didn't even used to bark when someone knocked on the door, because I taught her not to from day one. So, I also am concerned about this habit developing & becoming ingrained post-heat. She's under-exercised now. I bought a passel of edible chews that help somewhat & have been focusing on obedience exercises.
What would you suggest? I 100% don't want her pregnant. I've also heard that barking's a hard habit to break, once it's ingrained. She's been in jail since Sunday. I walk her for potty runs on a 5' leash. It's less than a week. Her cycle seems long (at least 14 days of bleeding). So, I'm looking at probably another month. But I've also read that it's incredibly dangerous (for her & for other dogs suddenly fighting) to walk a female in this condition. Any ideas?
The vet techs put the fear of God in me. They said male dogs, neutered or not, would hunt her down & that the "thirst" is real. She was flirting with another dog at the vet. She'd totally do the imprudent thing, given half a chance. Please help!
Thanks so much!
And, please, no you should've done a pediatric neuter talk. I'd like constructive ideas on handling this. I've read the literature about growth plates, orthopaedic injuries later, etc. & the anecdotal evidence from behaviourists about dogs, in particular, retaining baby behaviours in adulthood. This will be one & done. We just need to get through it.
@Love My Zons @Toy @Aviphile @Pixiebeak @Peachfaced @Sparkles!
The issue: I live in an apartment. I don't have access to a private, fenced backyard without a male dog around. Normally, I'd visit a relative's small, fenced yard or my parents' large, unfenced one with an 8 m flexi lead. Or we'd visit the park when big dogs weren't around. And we'd take walks.
Apparently, even neutered male dogs are driven mad by females at this time & all of them climb fences (argh!). Added to this, there's a neighbour who's always taken an over interest in Ruby's growth & development who has an intact male dog around her size & has said disturbing things like, "Let nature take its course." or "Well, she's not rejecting him!" when she was barely 7 months old. Of course she wasn't. She's a friendly, well socialized dog & is an animal. She's also 9 months old & is a pet.
I'm not interested in becoming a backyard breeder, introducing unwanted lives or ruining my dog with a pregnancy before she's done growing (or in general). I hope to eventually do some competitions, like the Canine Good Neighbour test & possibly more, once we get the basics down pat.
Meanwhile, my quiet sheltie (yes, this is possible, I have/had one) is becoming increasingly frustrated & barky. She didn't even used to bark when someone knocked on the door, because I taught her not to from day one. So, I also am concerned about this habit developing & becoming ingrained post-heat. She's under-exercised now. I bought a passel of edible chews that help somewhat & have been focusing on obedience exercises.
What would you suggest? I 100% don't want her pregnant. I've also heard that barking's a hard habit to break, once it's ingrained. She's been in jail since Sunday. I walk her for potty runs on a 5' leash. It's less than a week. Her cycle seems long (at least 14 days of bleeding). So, I'm looking at probably another month. But I've also read that it's incredibly dangerous (for her & for other dogs suddenly fighting) to walk a female in this condition. Any ideas?
The vet techs put the fear of God in me. They said male dogs, neutered or not, would hunt her down & that the "thirst" is real. She was flirting with another dog at the vet. She'd totally do the imprudent thing, given half a chance. Please help!
Thanks so much!
And, please, no you should've done a pediatric neuter talk. I'd like constructive ideas on handling this. I've read the literature about growth plates, orthopaedic injuries later, etc. & the anecdotal evidence from behaviourists about dogs, in particular, retaining baby behaviours in adulthood. This will be one & done. We just need to get through it.
@Love My Zons @Toy @Aviphile @Pixiebeak @Peachfaced @Sparkles!
