The answer to how to introduce dogs for mating is not as easy as it sounds, especially when it is your dog’s first time. You cannot just force your dog to mate with a bitch. It is essential to make things flow naturally.
So, how do you do it? Here is dog breeding 101 on dog breeding basics.
Let Them Meet Before the Mating Day
Initial interactions between your stud and bitch can be unpredictable. Thus, you should be careful and cautious while introducing dog mating partners. The best way to go ahead is to make the dogs meet before the final day.
First impressions are important and can set the stage of a relationship between the dogs. In an ideal case, you must choose the dogs keeping their age, breed, and temperament in mind as this is going to play an important role in determining the quality of the litter.
If your dog has a history of fighting with other dogs, it is even more important to introduce both dogs before the mating day. This will ensure that both the dogs are comfortable with each other on their mating day.
Prior meeting will also rule out any element of anxiousness towards the stranger animal. From the breeding point of view, you, as an owner, will also get to analyze if the bitch and stud share pleasant dispositions which can be passed on to the litter if they mate.
Make the two dogs play, and get them familiar with each other’s scent during their introductory meeting. You might not see this coming but this initial meeting could also speed up the mating process by making the animals feel comfortable with each other. This, in turn, will increase the chances of successful dog breeding.
The initial meeting will also help you in gauging if both the dogs are compatible enough. For the best results, it is highly recommended to ensure that both of them are healthy.
Do not forget to have a look at the heat cycle of the bitch so that she can conceive properly. I will be talking about this aspect in the next section in detail.
Choose the Right Day for the Bitch
Your efforts can go down the drain if you are not sure about the bitch’s season. To ensure that the whole process turns out to be successful, it is highly recommended to note down the first day of her bleeding. Many owners tend to miss this date, and this is where they go wrong.
Nevertheless, avoid introducing dog partners for mating for the next one week from her bleeding day. It is likely that she will not stand any dog and will run away. However, you can plan introductory meetings during this period. Dogs can play together, get familiar, and flirt with each other (*wink*).
The next week is crucial. It is the best period to make a dog mate with a bitch. She is most active during this time, and can even run away to find the dog for her. Thus, it is essential that you keep an eye on the bitch, and take necessary steps to make things flow naturally.
According to the basic rule of thumb, you should introduce the dogs around day 8 of your bitch’s cycle. You can then put them together on the ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth day of the bitch’s cycle to produce a litter.
Additionally, you can look for probable signs from her. If she is not ready, she will simply sit around or might snap.
However, some young bitches never seem to be ready, and you will have to be firm with them.
Make Sure Both Owners Are Present
If both the dogs are virgin, the chances are high that they might be anxious and find it difficult to intercourse. They might encounter a range of problems – both dogs might feel shy, or they might feel aggressive during the introduction. Even worse, the male might be unable to mount the female, or female might end up yapping the male.
This is why it is highly recommended to keep an eye on your dog to assist them in the process. Ideally, the owners of both dogs should be present. You can talk to them in a calming voice to pacify them. Avoid shouting or disciplining your dog as you don’t want to scare them. You want to make them feel relaxed which is very important for successful mating. Anxiety is counter-productive at this stage.
Although monitoring your dogs is important, it is equally important to avoid becoming a distraction. Help them with penetration and locking problems if needed, but if there are no visible problems, it is important to stay silent and invisible.
As expected, your dogs will get distracted if they see you roaming around the breeding area. They will start playing with you instead of interacting with their mate which is the least that you will want. Thus, keep yourself away from their line of sight.
Do not rush the process. It might take hours, and even days to become comfortable with each other even when they have met each other before. Especially for inexperienced dams and sires. To make them familiar with the breeding environment, you can also bring their favorite toys or blanket from home so that they can have a familiar scent around them. This will make them feel comfortable, and assist them in their mating process.
Breeding can turn to be an unexpectedly long process. Assist your dogs whenever needed, but avoid getting overly involved.
Keep Dogs Leashed Initially
Do not get me wrong, but it is important to keep your dogs leashed initially while introducing dog partners for mating. This is just to exercise a bit of control over the things. You don’t want your dog to hurt the bitch, and you never know how they will react on meeting each other.
Thus, keep your dogs leashed, but keep a loose lead to reduce any tension. Let them interact on their own. Do not force things even if they feel a bit awkward, or ignore each other completely.
Keep the initial interaction brief. Let them touch their noses and sniff each other a bit. If everything goes well, then let them play together while their leash is still on. Once you feel that they both are enjoying each other’s company instead of feeling anxious or scared, unleash them, and let them take the next steps.
Unleashing them will help them enjoy each other’s company and they might also be able to develop a quick bond which will help in quick mating.
Further, remember to unleash your dogs at the right time. You wait for too long and you miss the sweet spot. You do it too early, and your dog might feel uncomfortable.
Thus, strike the right balance by keeping your dog’s mood and comfort level in mind.
Choose a Confined Space
Environment matters, and when it comes to introducing dogs for mating, it matters all the more! Once you feel that both the dogs are enjoying each other’s company, it is the time to look for an appropriate breeding area.
Your focus should be on finding an area which could keep your dogs as relaxed as possible. Choosing to breed them in the stud’s home is a great idea. This is because male dogs are highly territorial by nature and taking him outside in a different environment and surroundings could divert his attention.
Preferably, you should choose a confined area for successful mating. A confined area doesn’t need to be a tiny room, but just a private enclosed area with enough space for them to dwell and have fun.
Further, while choosing a breeding area, ensure that no other dogs are present. This might distract the couple. This could also spark a sense of jealousy in other dogs and they might end up fighting for the female.
Thus, the best area for breeding is the private area, preferably where the male lives. Essentially, if your dog is mating for the first time, he might need your help in mounting the bitch. Thus, it makes sense to make the breeding arrangement at the stud’s place.
Let them play for some time in the area. Once the bitch is ready, she will allow the stud to lick her vulva. She will signal the dog by holding her tail up and keeping it out of the way. Ideally, this is the time when the male will approach the bitch and mount her from behind. And voila, the two dogs have bred!
Conclusion
Breeding is a lengthy process, but you need to take the things slowly. Thus, do not rush. To ensure successful breeding, it is highly recommended to ensure that your dog is healthy and happy. Gradually, introduce dog mating partners. Let them play, and keep an eye on the heat cycle of the bitch. Once the time is right, bring them closer and set the right environment.
This can take several steps before it turns out to be successful, but you will be able to master the art of breeding with the right techniques.