Hi all,
My 5 1/2 mth old puppy has come into season. Her first show was going to be in two weeks. She is going to have to miss this one but when should she be ready to go back into the show ring? I don't want to distract all of the dogs and have never owned a bitch before so I don't know about coat changes etc. She is a Mal. Also, is there anything that I can give her to ease the discomfort? She seems very sorry for herself and is very clingy. Our male GSD is trying every which way to get away from her, he hasn't got a clue with the opposite sex. He is scared of females with hormones lol. (I have got the book of the bitch but I can't find it at the moment).
Naomi.

Always sad when you have to miss your first show when you have looked forward to it. I missed it with my two last year when we had kennel cough. They were over it by the show but might well have still been infectious. I don't stay out of the ring for long when my girls are in season but I do keep them away from other dogs, but mine don't have coat changes.

I don't think I'd give anything other than a bit of comfort and reassurance. The only one I've had who had any problems was Peanut who is now 7. She was extremely miserable for the first few days and got very clingy and cried in the car (she was normally an excellent traveller). She got over it fairly quickly though and we have had no further problems with her at any other season.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

How long should she be in season? We noticed a tiny amount of blood in our utility room on Saturday but as she spends a lot of time outside and is keeping herself clean, we are not sure when she started her season. How will I know when she is alright to go back into the show ring???? Help......... We just weren't expecting it to happen so soon.
Naomi

I would give it 3 weeks from the start before puting her back in the ring and give her a good wash too. She will have some coat loss about 6 weeks after that it may or may not be a full loss it does change from season to season. I have found that you have to enter the shows you wish to attend and then keep your fingers crossed, but with a youngster I would be happy to show unless they look very bad. Jackie H.