The Dog Heat Cycle

What to Expect From Dogs in Heat

If you own a female Chihuahua, you may wonder what to expect during her dog heat cycle.

It may surprise you to know that along with the bleeding may come several behavior and personality changes.

For Chihuahuas, their dog heat cycle usually comes about every 6 months. Now, this is only a guideline, as every dog is different, but this is the general range of when to expect it.

Your Chihuahua will settle into her own personal timing after about her second heat. She may go every 8 months, or every 5 months. But she will fall in to a set pattern.

The canine heat cycle lasts for 3 weeks. The first week is usually when you will see the most blood, as the color and amounts lessen as the other 2 weeks continue.

Do not be fooled into thinking that her cycle is over just because you do not see any more blood.

Mark on your calendar exactly when you see the first trace of blood and then mark 3 weeks from that time, so you will know when she is safe to be around other male dogs.

Keep her away from all dogs the full amount of time. And don't be deceived by her size into thinking that a large dog can not breed with her, because they can and do, which would be dangerous for her.

The biggest problem with a Chihuahua in heat is that generally we allow them on our furniture, so there will be blood left on the couch, chairs, and bed.

Some females will wear the doggie diapers, but others will refuse to wear them and will tear them off.

Even though many females will do a decent job at keeping themselves cleaned, it seems that when they first stand up after a nap, is when there is a larger puddle of blood.

A crate would be a good idea if your Chihuahua is used to this and has been raised with using a crate.

She really shouldn't need to be in the crate for the full 3 weeks, as the blood does lessen, but she can make a mess the first 7 to 10 days.

When a dog is in heat, there can be temporary personality changes, such as her becoming very clingy or even slightly depressed.

She may become very aggressive towards other animals, even ones that you own and she is used to being around, or she may become “over-friendly” with them and hump them!

Even if she is completely reliable in the housebreaking department, she may start having a few accidents and pee in the house.

This usually seems to occur a week or two before she enters into her cycle, and is much more common the first time, rather than every heat thereafter.

Scolding her will do no good, as she can not help it, and it will correct itself on its own.

If you decide to spay your Chihuahua, then you will not have to worry about going through the dog heat cycle again.

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