Female Dog Question

[Soccer Princess]

We adopted a dog about 4 weeks ago and I believe today she started to be in heat. This is my first female dog and I am clueless about this. How long does this normally last? Does the amount of blood increase? Any tips about how to not get a mess? I am off to buy the doggy diapers at 10am when the pet store opens. Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ByTheSea]

How old is she?

We had our female spayed before she went into heat, she was I think about 3-4 months old when we had it done.

I've read that you need to keep them away from males for a good 3-4 weeks from the time the cycle starts unless you want more puppies.

Here's a link to some info
http://www.vetinfo.com/dfemale.html

 

[Marseeya]

Is she making that much of a mess? Our dog went into heat once before we got her spayed and she kept herself really clean. We only knew she was in heat because we happened to see a tiny amount of red on her before she licked it off.

 

[luvwinnie]

Is she 6 mths or older? That is the usual age for this. I don't know how long because I have always spayed my dogs. I highly recommend it unless she is a purebred you are planning on breeding.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

Normal estrus is around 21 days- heaviest bleeding normally the first week but a dog may keep herself clean and you could miss the beginning. The second and third week with decreased spotting are the more likely times for breeding. A friend let down her guard on the 21st day and a litter resulted.
The previously mentioned 3-4 weeks is a good estimate (but spaying will keep your sanity for 2 months a year )!
Depending on your dog's size a pair of boys underwear put on backwards so the tail comes out the fly can work but you may have to "cinch up" the waistband with something. Some dogs will even leave a mini-pad alone or you can purchase "*****es Britches"!