Health Considerations For Pregnant Dogs
It is recommended that you have a fresh stool sample checked by your veterinarian, as intestinal parasites can be spread to the puppies both in utero and during nursing.
Do not use over-the-counter dewormers in your pregnant or nursing dog, as some of these could be dangerous. Your veterinarian can prescribe the appropriate medication if her stool sample shows evidence of parasitic infection.
Female dogs should not have vaccinations, so make sure your dog is up to date on her shots and flea, tick, and heartworm prevention before she becomes pregnant.
What To Do While Your Dog Is Giving Birth
Your dog should be able to go through labour on her own but stay close to keep an eye on her.
Help her stay calm by comforting her and speaking to her in a soft, soothing tone.
Have your vets number at hand and contact them if you think somethings wrong.
You might have to call a vet if your dog begins straining but has not produced a puppy in over an hour.
How Old Should A Female Golden Retriever Be To Breed
A female Golden Retriever should be ready to breed when she is two years old. By this time, a female Golden has gone through two or three heat cycles, and she has reached prime breeding age.
Responsible breeders do not breed female goldens during their first heat. Females at this young age are still growing, so pregnancy is hard on their developing bodies. Plus, females need to be mature enough to feed and take care of their puppies.
Its best to start mating female goldens after their second or third heat when they are closer to two years old. However, owners should always consult with their vet to make sure their goldens are old enough and healthy enough for breeding.
Additionally, female goldens should not be bred during consecutive heats. Constantly mating them will wear down their bodies and not give them the time they need to heal between pregnancies. Its best to skip one heat cycle before attempting to impregnate them again.
Male goldens, on the other hand, can start breeding much earlier. Males do not have to feed or take care of the puppies, so their maturity level is not as important.
However, male dogs sometimes have problems producing enough semen if they are too young. They may also lack the experience they need to impregnate or not even be interested in having sexual relations.
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When Will My Golden Retrievers Heat Cycles Start
Your Golden Retriever can go into heat when she is as young as six months old. For dogs that are of a smaller breed—the average, however, is the age of six months. But, on the other hand, giant breed dogs go into heat as late as 18-24 months.
One crucial thing that you should keep in mind is that you must not breed your dog in the first cycle because she is still growing and is—for all intents and purposes– even a puppy herself.
You should wait for the second or the third cycle to breed your Golden Retriever. The vet will assist you in determining the right age.
How Much Sleep Your Golden Retriever Puppy Needsx To View This Video Please Enable Javascript And Consider Upgrading To Aweb Browser Thatsupports Html5 Video Can Golden Retriever Puppies Swim Video
Adult Golden retrievers tend to spend more time asleep than many other dog breeds because they are big dogs and expend a lot of energy. You can expect your Golden retriever puppy to sleep much more than that! It is not uncommon for a new Golden puppy to sleep between 18 and 20 hours each day.
When your new puppy is awake, it is burning a lot of energy, as they are always on the move! They are also growing a lot during this time, which requires plenty of sleep. So dont be concerned if your Golden retriever pup is sleeping a lot, it is perfectly normal at this stage of development.
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How Long Is A Golden Retriever Pregnant Golden Retriever Parent Tips
Being an owner of the Golden Retriever, it becomes your responsibility to know all the characteristics of your dog. If you want to breed your Golden Retriever, then you must be having information related to your Golden Retrievers pregnancy duration.
The Golden Retrievers can be pregnant for 63 days, making it 7 weeks. However, in some particular cases of the Golden Retrievers, it could be late or early than 63 days as well.
Can A Golden Retriever Only Have One Puppy
While it is unlikely, it is entirely possible that a Golden Retriever or any other dog breed have only one single pup in its litter,
However, in regards to the social health and development of these singletons, the pup may grow disadvantaged and inadequately equipped to interact with its fellow dogs as a consequence of having been raised as the single pup.
These can manifest in the pup later having trouble respecting boundaries of other dogs how to healthily deal with their frustration, etc.
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What Does My Pregnant Dog Need
There are a few changes you will need to make in order to take care of a pregnant dog. The expectant mother will need a source of nutrition that supports growth. You will also need to visit the vet a few times to monitor your dog’s health. Exercise should be adjusted to make sure the pregnant dog is not overexerting herself, but also not becoming sedentary.
Golden Retriever Coat Stages By Age
A golden retriever puppys fur growth starts with a soft, fluffy texture. At around three months of age, you will start to see some feathers as the puppy grows into a more adult coat. However, the exact time this feathering begins depends on genetics.
The three- or four-month mark is also when you will notice some long fur, which will generally start on the tail. Over about 18 months, this longer, adult fur will grow all over the dog and generally be darker than the puppy fluff. The adult fur wont eliminate the puppy fur but will instead form the undercoat.
Even in adulthood, golden retrievers will have some fur variation. Dogs that are outdoors much of the time will have thicker fur when compared to indoor dogs. There are also seasonal and genetic variations in fur.
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Keep Your Golden Retrievers Safe When They Mate
Dogs can get seriously injured during the mating process. The male is especially at risk because he is trying so hard to get the females attention.
It is not uncommon for a female to respond with aggression when the male tries to show her some affections. If the female is not quite ready, she will not be open to his advances.
Also, when the dogs tie the male will turn around.
Like I said before, your male can sustain a serious injury if you are not careful.
A young male can get so excited that he might hurt the female in the process. If he is inexperienced, then he might get frustrated and take it out on her.
If you dont intend on breeding your female and you have a male dog in the vicinity, you should take special precautions to keep them separate.
A male dog that is around a female in heat will become an absolute nightmare. He will do anything to get with the female and satisfy some of the oldest desires.
He might stop eating, constantly whine and bark, and pace uncontrollably. He will chew, dig, and climb anything and everything.
He will likely not be interested in playing fetch or normal routines as long as he can smell the female.
There is a reason that AKC Hunt Trials and Field Trials do not allow females in heat anywhere on the grounds before or during an event.
How Long Are Golden Retrievers In Heat
Every dog is an individual, which means they will have a cycle to follow. But, generally speaking, you can always expect the length of heat to fall in the range of 2 to 4 weeks.
Golden retrievers are fertile for the entire length of their heat cycle, so its important to know when it begins and ends. You dont want to mistakenly end up with puppies because she was allowed around males too early.
The best way to know if your golden retriever has completed her cycle is if there is no longer any discharge or bleeding. Her vulva will also return to normal size when her heat comes to a close.
Once you determine how long your Golden retriever tends to be in heat, its a great idea to keep track of it. Mark the date as soon as you notice the first signs of heat so that youll know when to expect the end of it.
Dogs do go into heat for their entire life. As she ages, the time between your Golden retrievers heat cycles will start to increase, but they wont disappear. You should keep your eye on your older dogs if they havent been spayed, as they are still fertile later in life.
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Taking Care Of A Golden Retriever In Heat
Taking care of your Golden Retriever while she is in heat is a full-time job. Any male in the vicinity will know that she is in heat and will do everything in his power to get in with your female.
We woke up one morning to the most awful noise you have ever heard coming from the backyard.
When I went back there, I found a neighbors Blue Heeler with his feet stuck between the slats of our fence. He was unable to get them out and was barking and hollering for all he was worth.
Every time I reached to lift him out, he snapped at me. Eventually, I got a shovel and lifted him out of the slats and over the fence.
He had jumped the fence to be with our female Labrador that was in heat. Luckily we had put her up in the kennel with a top on it and he could not get in.
One thing that you can do to both protect your house and your dog is put her in a doggy diaper.
People like these modern conveniences because they keep your dog from bleeding on your new carpet. At the same time, these will act as a chastity belt for your little princess.
As long as the diaper is in place, no male will be able to mate with her.
According to reviews on Chewy.com, the Pet Parents Washable diapers are the most popular. They come in one of five sizes. They have an elastic hole for your dogs tail to make them totally leak-proof.
Check this link to see what the diapers are going for right now. I prefer these to the mountains of disposable diapers that spend most of the years taking up space in the closet.
Signs That Your Golden Is In Heat
Below are the signs of the heat cycle and how to determine where your dog is at. Keep track of each on a calendar to help you judge when the next cycle is likely to occur.
Swollen vulva
This is not painful for your Golden and begins just a day or two before the bloody discharge of the Proestrus Stage.
Bleeding or other discharge
The discharge is one of the easiest signs that a female is in heat. It is important to watch because it will indicate when your Golden is ready to be bred. I usually wait for the bloody discharge to turn clear for a day or two and then introduce the female to the male two or three times over the next 8 to 10 days.
Abnormal mounting behavior
This sign can be tricky because some females engage in some mounting behavior regardless of what stage of the heat cycle they are in. What you are looking for is increased behavior. Maybe she will start mounting more often or in different situations.
Licking genitals
Experts think that this is your dogs efforts to keep herself clean. Sometimes I question what experts say about the reasons why animals do certain things. It seems likely that it could also be that the areas are becoming more sensitive with increased blood flow.
Nesting behavior
Remember that dogs are naturally burrowing animals. As a female is preparing for the possibility of a pregnancy, it is not uncommon to see her begin preparing a place to whelp her pups. You might see her drag toys or other important items to the nest and sleep with them.
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How Long Does A Golden Retrievers Heat Cycle Last
A Golden Retrievers heat cycle lasts between two to four weeks Because each dog is unique, they will have their own cycle to follow. If your golden retrievers cycle is done, the easiest way to know is if there is no more discharge or bleeding. Golden retrievers remain fertile for the duration of their heat cycle.
The simplest method to tell whether your golden retrievers cycle is over is if theres no more discharge or bleeding. When her heat is through, her vulva will likewise return to normal size.
Its a good idea to keep track of your Golden Retrievers heat cycle once youve figured out how long it lasts. Make a note of the date as soon as you see the first indications of heat so you know when to go outside.
Dogs are in heat for the rest of their lives. The duration between your Golden Retrievers heat cycles will tend to lengthen as she gets older, but they will not go away. If your older dogs havent been spayed, keep an eye on them because they might still be viable later in life.
How Long Does A Female Golden Retriever Stay In Heat
between 2-4 weeksHeat usually lasts between 2-4 weeks. Early in the cycle, a female dog may not be receptive to male dogs, although some are receptive through the entire cycle. It can be shorter or longer and youll know the cycle is over when all her vulva returns to its normal size and theres no more bleeding or discharge.
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Male Dogs Are Coming Around More Often
Because your Golden retriever is in heat, she is giving off pheromones to attract other dogs. Male dogs can smell your dog at this time from a mile or more away and wont hesitate to track her down.
Make sure you stay with your dog while she is outside during her heat. There is no barricade high enough to keep a determined male from making it into your yard if he knows your dog is in heat. Its better to be safe than sorry.
First Stage Of Dog Labor: Start Of Contractions
The first stage is defined as cervix relaxation and the start of intermittent contractions. However, you are not likely to see the contractions at this point in the birthing process.
During this stage, your dog will act restless, travel in and out of the nesting box, pant, dig, and sometimes even vomit. This stage can last as long as 6-12 hours.
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Gestation Period: How Long Are Dogs Pregnant
The normal gestation period in dogs is approximately 63 days from conception, although this can vary by several days. While this might seem like a straightforward answer, conception is often hard to determine. Sperm can live for several days inside the female, and eggs can remain fertile for up to 48 hours, which means the act of mating itself is not an exact measurement of gestation. This makes it hard to predict the length of pregnancy without the assistance of a veterinarian.
Hormone measurements give a much more exact time frame for gestation. Many breeders use vaginal smears and blood tests to monitor reproductive hormones during the breeding process. This helps them determine the best time to breed their bitch, as well as the length of gestation and the potential due date.
Gestation length according to accurate hormone measurements:
- 56-58 days from the first day of diestrus
- 64-66 days from the initial rise in progesterone
- 58-72 days from the first time the bitch allowed breeding
Pregnancy in dogs is relatively short compared to humans, about 9 weeks total, and each day matters. Knowing the length of the gestation period is important for the health of the pregnant bitch and the puppies and is used to monitor nutrition and veterinary care during pregnancy.
What Are Heat Diapers
Similar to typical baby diapers, heat diapers are absorbent diapers with a hole in the back for the tail heat diapers are meant to absorb discharges and blood during heat and prevent leakage.
Heat Diapers can also be a method of preventing your dog from getting pregnant during heat cycles and masking their scent to a certain extent.
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Should I Change Her Routine As Pregnancy Advances
As pregnancy progresses, intra-abdominal pressure increases and so does the mother’s food requirements. The dog usually needs to have an increased number of smaller meals rather than an increased quantity per meal. Let your pet decide how much physical activity she needs. This depends on the number of puppies and the amount of intra-abdominal pressure she is experiencing. Do not over-exercise a pregnant female. Check for any vaginal discharges and contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns.
Praise Them For Going Outside
When your puppy first comes to your house, theyre not going to know where to go potty.
But when they go outside and you throw a praise party for them and give them treats, it wont take them long to realize exactly where they should be going.
One issue that many people make is praising them too loud and too soon, and interrupting them.
One time, when we were really sick of cleaning up accidents, Oliver was going potty outside and we were so happy we shouted, GOOD BOY!!!
We startled him and he immediately stopped midstream and jumped up wondering what was going on.
So when they go outside where theyre supposed to go, calmly praise them as theyre going, and when theyre done you can really let them know they did a great job.
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