Expert: Jannie Balliett - 1/3/2011

Question
Hi Jannie,
I asked a question about how big my girl Kenya will get a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to let you know New Years eve she finally came into her first heat!
Can I still walk Kenya around my neighbourhood? I noticed a stray Shepard hanging around the house the other day. We have 8 ft wood fences in the backyard...a friend warned me that a dog could possibly get in still?
If I have to walk her away from the house... how long should I plan on doing it until we are in the "clear" again?

Thank you
Jamie

Answer
Stop walking her.

Do not expose her.

Heat cycles run 30 days.

You cannot allow her to "advertise" her heat. A male can smell her as far as 3 miles away.

They CAN jump fences of different heights- "where's there a will, there's a way."

Read:

http://www.thepawblog.com/the-heat-cycle-of-the-female-dog/