First season - when?

Chrystie22 · #1 14-12-10, 09:59 AM

Hi All! Diva's now 18 weeks old. I was just wondering when she is likely to have her first season. I have read about it on the net and in books but it varies from one article to the next so not sure when it actually happens for the first time.
Same question about the teenage phase, when does it start, how long does it last,..? Cheers

Caryll · #2 14-12-10, 10:08 AM

Her first season can be anything from 4 moths old to 12 months, depending on the dog. Around 6 months is the norm, though.

The teenage stage! Well, how long's a piece of string? Anything really from about 5 or 6 months upwards! And it could last anything from a couple of months or until maturity at about 2 years or so, although I've never had a dog who's gone on that long, tg! You'll know the signs - she'll know everything, listen to nothing & she'll test you to the limit. Now's the time to get a lot of training in - it'll help in the long run! It's worth remembering, though, that not all dogs go through that stage, some just go from playful pup to well behaved member of the family with no problems at all.

Chrystie22 · #3 14-12-10, 10:24 AM

Thanks Caryll for the info. Not long now then! About season, I have read that it's best to keep your female indoors for the duration of the season, is that so? And if yes, how do you exercise her then?

J&J · #4 14-12-10, 10:31 AM

Ellie was 11 months old when she had her first season, nice age as means spaying is about the right age (end of next month)...

Most shepherd tend to have their first season sometime after 6 months very rarely before..

Has to teenage years, Ellie hasn't been to much of a problem has her moments, but getting in with good training when they are pups really does pay dividend, as it's a case that they don't forget their training just choose not to use it

But if you've established good foundation it makes it easier to revocus them again..

super D · #5 14-12-10, 10:35 AM

Libby was approximately 15=16 months when she first came into season xx

Caryll · #6 14-12-10, 10:53 AM

I've had males for the last 20 years, but as far as my memory serves me, I used to only keep my bitches in for the last half of the season (about 10 days) & played a LOT of fetch in the back garden for exercise! The first half I used to take them out at the quietest time possible, to the quietest areas possible & yell at other dog owners "She's in season, could you keep your dog away, please?" Most other owners were really good about it.

zetstaff · #7 14-12-10, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caryll

I've had males for the last 20 years, but as far as my memory serves me, I used to only keep my bitches in for the last half of the season (about 10 days) & played a LOT of fetch in the back garden for exercise! The first half I used to take them out at the quietest time possible, to the quietest areas possible & yell at other dog owners "She's in season, could you keep your dog away, please?" Most other owners were really good about it.

We kept Tilly in for second half of season + whenever she did go out she was ALWAYS on her lead. Otherwise she too was confined to the garden/mud patch

Bonniesmummy · #8 14-12-10, 05:59 PM

Bonnie is just coming to the end of her 1st season, started at 8mths old. I have kept her away from the park from the beginning.. We are fortunate enough to have a wooded area and farmers field literally across the street from us where there are very few dogs (if any at all) around. We have been walking her in the woods and letting her off lead in the field for exercise for now .... Can't wait to get back to the park with her!!! Her 1st has been great really as far as I can tell, no real issues with behaviour at all apart from being more barky then normal. See my other threads on this too for info

As for exercising lately too due to the very bad weather we have been playing a lot if fetch In the garden and also as much training as possible to keep her mind active too as she hasnt been out as much as normal