Today is a very exciting day in our house!! It marks the end of Week One of Hope’s Second Pregnancy! Let’s fill in the blanks that got us to this point (For those interested in the extra details of breeding, these are my personal observations combined with information from various websites). Obviously, these are only my observations regarding my own dogs and based on my own research and any questions or concerns that you have should be shared with your vet! These observations also include parallel observations from Hope’s previous pregnancy last Autumn.
Dame: CKC Shih Tzu Shimmering “Hope” Diamond (4/11/08)
Sire: CKC Shih Tzu The Duke, “Remington” L’amoure (6/23/10)
Friday 4/6/12, Hope’s First Day of Heat! We woke up that morning to bright red spotting on the bedding and it continued throughout the day. Hope spent the better part of the day smelling and licking her lightly swollen vulva and Remi also became quite interested in this new development! Over the next week, Hope continued to spot and her vulva to swell. She continued to smell and lick it often and so did Remi. Her need to urinate also increased significantly, resulting in long walks (It is assumed that dames in heat urinate in small amounts often along a certain trail to spread the news that they are in heat and attract males). Remi did not attempt to mount her during this first week and she was not yet willing to let him either.
Parallel: 8/16/11, Hope’s First Day of Heat with her First Litter (Just under 8 months between heat cycles)
Sunday 4/15/12, Heat Day 10. Hope’s first male visitor (other than Remi) shows up at the front door! Male dogs up to five miles away can detect the scent of a female in heat and have an irrisistable urge to be with them. It is recommended that you keep your dame in your house and always take her out on a leash to prevent her from becoming involved with a stray male during her entire heat. If you have a breeding pair as I do, then it is also recommended that you keep him inside and only taken out on a leash to prevent possible fights with other males. Even the friendliest and most socialized males will fight to the death for a female during heat!
Monday 4/16/12 Heat Day 11 and Hope & Remi’s First Tie! Hope was finally ready for what is called “standing heat” meaning she is willing to stand for Remi as he mounts. She starts off with a little flirty dance, waving her tail in front of him called “flagging”! Within a few minutes of trying they became locked together or “Tied” which lasted just under thirty minutes. Initially Hope gets a little panicky and snaps at Remi so I settle down on the floor with them, taking deep calming breaths, speaking softly, humming, and slowly petting them to calm them down and help them remain calm throughout the ordeal. This is the best way to insure that neither makes any sudden, jerky movements that could potentially injure the other. After the initial tie, I separate them for the next 24 hours to allow Remi’s sperm a chance to replenish (Hope is pleased, Remi is not and howls most of the day and night).
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