How to manage an un-neutered dog

Taking on a new puppy is exciting, challenging and enormous fun! Just when you think that things have settled down and you've got a handle on things, your dog will, from the age of 6 months begin a new and challenging phase. Puberty!

While dogs don't necessarily experience puberty in quite the same way a humans, this is a time that their hormones kick in. For the bitch, it's the start of the heat cycle lasting three weeks or 21 days normally twice a year.

Their first season can come as a shock as her vulva swells and a discharge of dark red blood drips causing constant licking and a desire to wee more. This, not to mention all the additional 'extra' male interest that ensues can make your girl reluctant to go outside and if she does, she can expect a flurry of male visitors! They won't be forming an orderly queue either. They will literally be banging the door down to get to her. For this reason NEVER EVER leave your girl alone in the garden when she's in season, no matter HOW secure your garden is. A rampant stud will do what is necessary to get to her.

For the male dogs 6 months and over there's no cycle, just a constant 'scanning' of local scent markers that tell him who's getting up to what and when. He can scent a bitch in season several miles away and will do whatever is necessary to get to her, no matter the inconvenience or danger. Your once docile and loving boy who was content to curl up by your feet and trot nicely by your side on the walk turns into a virile, scent marking escape artist, impossible to keep calm and quiet as well as competitive when it comes to meeting other young male dogs in the area.

So how should you manage this difficult time?

The following guidelines should help you. Of course the obvious and responsible solution is to have your dog neutered as soon as your vet will allow it. This is normally from 6 months onward. Most vets will only consider spaying a female dog once they have had their first season. This is because the organs are easier to surgically remove. The vet should request that she is spayed three months following her first season, when she is 'mid cycle' to avoid surgical complications and hormonal dysfunctions.

The Bitch

• You may notice that her vulva is enlarged and other dogs sniff her bottom more than usual.

• She may lick herself more than usual

• A pale pink discharge will 'drip' and as the days progress, this will turn to a deep dark red before fading again to a pale pink/straw colour and then disappear altogether.

• For the first week she will not be receptive to other dogs. She may bark, growl or go to bite another dog that tries to either mount her or annoy her in any way. She will flatly refuse any male advances and sit down to signal that she is not interested. This stage is called Proestrus and lasts approx 7-9 days.

• The second week, or from around day 8/9, her discharge may start to pale in colour.

• She will be more flirtatious and 'dance' around excitedly when another dog comes near to investigate. She may twist her tail as a signal that she is 'up for it' and offer herself with little shame. This stage is called Estrus and is the prime time of ovulation when she can become pregnant. Mating can happen extremely quickly so it is vital that you are vigilant at all times.

• The third week from around day 16 will see the season start to diminish. This is known as the Diestrus stage and ultimately lasts 2-3 months. Her vaginal discharge will disappear after day 21 and she will resume back to her normal self fairly quickly (provided she doesn't get pregnant).

How to cope with the season

• Keep the usual routine going as much as possible, but avoid walking in public places where other entire male dogs may frequent

• Play more interactive brain games at home to amuse her

• Allow her to sleep more if she wants to

• Do not leave her unaccompanied - even in your own 'secure' garden. An interested dog will scale a fence, burrow under wire or risk a busy and dangerous road to get to a bitch in season.

• Have a mop to hand. Some owners dress their bitch in a pair of small pants, but this could cause even more aggravation and distress than is necessary. Just clean up any spots of blood - it will soon be over!

When to spay

Your vet will need to be informed of when your bitch came into season. He will work out when she is in the middle of her heat cycle and recommend that she be spayed half way through the cycle - usually two to three months following the season itself.

• Ensure her dog tag states that she is 'neutered'. This will deter dog thieves who steal dogs for breeding purposes.

How to manage an 'entire' male dog

Once your boy get's the scent signal that a local bitch is in season, he will need to be kept on a lead while out and about. He will usually become sexually mature by the time he is 6 months of age.

• Keep him occupied at home indoors with brain games and interactive toys.

• Ensure he is not left 'home alone' as he could become destructive

• Avoid letting him go off lead in public areas

• If he wants to 'hump' toys, chair legs, your own legs, or basically anything he can, then he probably needs to be booked into the vet for castration. Remember, YOU as the owner are responsible for your dog's behaviour, not the dog!

• He may go off his food with no interest in it whatsoever. This is increases anxiety and frustration for both the dog and you as the owner.

When to castrate a male dog

This can be done when your vet is willing - usually from 6 months of age (or sooner if necessary).

• Ensure his dog tag states that he is 'neutered'. This will deter dog thieves who steal dogs for breeding purposes.

After neutering

Once the bitch or dog has been neutered, there will be a recovery stage following the operation. This normally takes around a week for an adult dog and can be accompanied by stiffness and reluctance to walk very far. Sometimes it's necessary for them to wear the 'cone of shame' which protects the wound area and stitches from any 'nibbling' or excessive licking. A body recovery suit is a good alternative to the cone and these can be purchased online, but your vet may be able to provide you with one if you ask.

Sometimes it's possible for the neutering to affect the behavior of a dog. This tends to more prevalent with males rather than with bitches. Heightened awareness, anxiety and sensitivity to noise can affect dogs that have just been neutered - even up to several months afterwards. This can be displayed in a variety of different ways as your dog tries to communicate to you that he is feeling out of sorts. The continuation of desensitisation techniques (hearing a variety of sounds on a CD for example) will help your dog overcome any alarming sounds and sights that can trigger fear responses seemingly 'out of the blue'.

Following a familiar routine is also essential to provide stability and a 'safe place', so ensure that this is kept to in the months following neutering.

Keep your dog within the confines of your own home and garden following the surgery and once the stitches are removed (usually after 10 days) and after a routine check up to see that the wound has healed properly, then normal routines can resume and you can all give a sigh of relief!