SPOTTING BLOOD

The female dog usually will have their first heat {period} at about 5 months to 1 year of age depending on the breed. When your dog has her heat {period} it will last about

3 weeks

First signs of heat are.

Personality change up to a month prier to coming into heat.

Your female may act shy for no reason or cranky with other dogs or people, some dogs even become more affectionate. What you are looking for is just a personality change. This is the female dog version of PMS.

Swollen, vulva

Up to a few weeks prior to being in full heat your dog???s vulva will seem larger and puffier then normal

As she gets farther into her heat it may become loose and floppy in the vulva. The main thing again to look for is a change in the vulva.

Increased urination

Some female will start urinating more often, beware this is to leave her scent, to tell all the boys she is coming into heat.

Teats {breasts, nipples} may get a bit pink and puffy

Blood from the vulva

You may notice some red blood on the floor or on your dogs bedding.

At the first sign of blood we will say this is the ???first day of heat???.

The dog will ovulate approximately 6 to 18 after first sign of blood.

As your female gets closer to ovulation the bloody discharge may turn pale pink, straw color or disappear altogether.

Your dog is most likely to get pregnant after the bleeding has stopped. So just because you see no blood dose not mean it is safe to let you female dog around other dogs.

Once your dog gets close to ovulation she may become more friendly and playful with other dogs.

The only real way to tell when your female dog is ovulation is to take her into the vet???s office and have them check her progesterone level.