AboutJoyce Crierie Expertise Raising dogs in and for all manners of obedience, protection and personal pleaure, I'm happy to assist in all dog related questions. Whelping, breeding, AI, training, behavior and holistic treatments.
Experience Breeder for 25 years raising Bullbreeds including Olde English Bulldogges, Mini Bulls and Molossers. Willows Haven Bulldogges
Organizations Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers, Dog Legislation Council of Canada, International Working Dog Breeding Assoc. Canadian Assoc of Professional Pet Dog Trainers, International Assoc. of Animal Behavior Consultants, Southern Alberta Just For Fun Agilty
Publications Dogs All, Creatures All, Dogs in Canada & Citzen Pet Author of The Olde English Bulldogge
Question I have these two Australian Shepherds - a male and female (the male is a grandfather and the female has been in heat) and we know they are those genders. The female is a 4 year old and the male is about 7. When ever the female is in heat, we lock her in the garage with the male because we want them to have puppies. The last owner of the male has bred him many times and the female we got when she was almost 1. The female is in pretty strong heat, she shows all signs. The male dog mounts her all the time and tries it, but then he seems to forget and either gets off or just stops and sits there until the female gets bored and walks away. Also, we think that he is afraid of us watching. We've tried everything from holding them in place, to locking them in a small room together. Last time she was in heat, when she got out of it, she showed all the signs of pregnancy. But we found out it was only false pregnancy. We've read all the books, but we just can't find an answer...
Answer Hi Natasha
Have you had your female tested?
Do you know when she ovulates?
Is the male the grandsire to the female? If so are there any undesirable traits in the line that you are aware (or unaware) of.
Do these two live together 24/7?
When the last owners "bred him many times" did an injury occur?
All these may explain why you are having some difficulty.
1. A progesterone test would be the order of the day, that way you aren't wasting anyone's time or energy. If she's not ovulating, she can't catch. If she ovulates early/late you'll better know when to bring the two together;
2. Australian Shepherds have a multitude of health issues as well as the merle complication. Studying the lines will help you determine if the pups that you DO produce will be healthy.
3. Separate them for a day or two and allow them only 15 - 30 minutes together (everyone gets frustrate and excited), then put them in their separate corners. It's the excitement you need to generate to get the job done.
4. If the male was injured in a breeding "accident" a female attacked him, he injured his penis, this can mentally damage a male enough to not want anything more to do with the whole thing.
