Should I bring her or not???

[uhmanda00]

Hello Chazzers,

One of my dreams has been to compete with my dog in a show. Lately, I've been working with my Golden Retriever, Lucy. I've been training her, and I think we are ready. So we are all entered to compete in AKC Rally Novice, and the show is this weekend. I have been SO EXCITED about it!! Lucy and I are going to have a BLAST!

Well, yesterday I took her for a quick "car ride". I always cover the seat she rides on with a sheet. When we got back home, and I was getting ready to take the sheet off of the seat, I noticed a couple blood spots. I was nearly in tears. Lucy came into heat!! I wasn't expecting her to come into heat until late April/early May [she is usually regular].

So I immediately thought that there was no way that we could go to the dog show. Today, I checked her a few times, and I never saw any blood. So I'm thinking that she could've came into heat a few days ago, and she's stopped bleeding. Which means right NOW is the most successful time for breeding, but by next weekend... what do you think?

Should I take her to the show?

She will be on leash 100% of the time, or in a crate. I will constantly have my eye on her.

My dad is saying no way because he thinks a male dog, or two male dogs might get loose and try to "get her" and I'd be in the way and he doesn't want me in the middle of them.

I just don't know. At first I was saying to myself no way, but I want to go soo bad because Lucy and I have both worked hard for this.

Just tell me what you all think.

Thank you.

 

[moe]

personally I wouldnt take a bitch into season to any form of event be it showing agility or whatever it drives the male dogs mad and they are not able to concentrate, I had two bitches qualify for crufts both came into heat, they were left at home full stop I think its very bad sportmanship taking a bitch in heat.

Mo

 

[IliamnasQuest]

Are you sure she came into heat? A couple of spots of blood doesn't seem enough .. with a golden retriever, I would expect that you'd have noticed if she'd started bleeding a few days ago. I used to not always notice immediately on my black dog, but on my red chow it's pretty obvious. The vulva is swollen and the bleeding is apparent. It also goes on for a couple of weeks.

If she IS in heat, she needs to be fully out of heat before you take her to any obedience, rally or agility trial. This has nothing to do with her safety or your safety. Bitches in heat are a complete distraction to other dogs and every place she sits she will leave scent that is going to upset every intact male dog that has to walk in the same place (like along the rally course). That's why there's a rule that no bitches in heat can attend these trials. As you know, doing the exercises and keeping your dog's attention is hard enough! For an intact dog to follow a bitch in heat in the ring would be like you trying to go in and show Lucy after the person in front of you dropped steak and liverwurst every time they stopped.

Check her carefully, see if she's swollen and use a tissue to check for any discharge. If she's in heat right now, I personally would not take her next weekend even if she appears to stop bleeding. While I know how exciting it is to show your dog (especially for that first time) it just isn't worth disturbing all the other dogs - not to mention the enemies you'd make if people thought you deliberately brought your dog when she was not quite out of heat.

But maybe she's not in heat after all! Blood could also be from a urinary tract infection - she needs to see a vet if that's the case.

Whatever happens, best of luck to you - and keep in mind that there are always other trials. I've had to pull my dogs on occasion and it's always a disappointment. But when you have an intact female it's one of the risks you take. I don't even take my bitch in heat to a conformation show even though that's allowed. I figure since I've chosen to keep her intact, it's my responsibility to not create a problem for other dogs.

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

 

[tessa_s212]

Speaking as an owner of an unnuetered performance dog, don't take her if she's any bit in heat. It is unfair to us male dog owners. Even if she's just barely coming in or going out of heat, a male dog WILL notice and trying to cover it up and bring her anyway will ruin a male dog's performance.

There are always more shows, and there's always the option of spaying. It would just be really unfair to male dogs to bring her.

 

[Julie]

I wouldn't take her either, if she is actually in heat.

Hubby HAD to certify with Rocket when she was in heat last year at the annual recerts for k9 patrol...it was a big pain in the butt! Although no other dogs seemed less obedient because of it. We did have to go last in every area. And if he would have had other options to get recerted then we wouldn't have went.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

If she is in heat I wouldn't take her. Any premium I've ever seen for rally, agility even many fun matches excludes bitches in heat. It would even be a distraction to my spayed female in that case. If you went anyhow and she is in heat, you might find yourself on the out for future comps with judges and competitors.

 

[oc_spirit]

I wouldnt take her either if she''s in heat. Not only would you be a huge distraction but if you were found out by other competitors you would immediately be in their bad books which is no good if you ever want to get some help from them in the future or you are trying to make contacts. There is enough politics in the dog world, why make it worse upon yourself? It is the considerate (and sometimes the rules) to leave a bitch in heat at home.

 

[uhmanda00]

Are you sure she came into heat?
Melanie and the gang in Alaska

Yes, I am 100% positive that she is in heat. She is an outside dog, just like all of my other dogs [parents rules], so she could've came in heat a week ago! Saturday was just the first day I noticed. She isn't bleeding anymore, but there is still discharge [the vulva area is wet], and Lucy is VERY swollen today.

Everyone:

Thank you for the replies. I won't be taking her to the show. There will be a next time... I'll take her in June. [Geeze I wish we had more shows in Oklahoma]

Thanks so much.

-Amanda

 

[MafiaPrincess]

I'm sorry. That's gotta be a downer.
Most premiums for the trials I've signed up for lately will refund the entry fees if your bitch goes into heat for the trial..

 

[uhmanda00]

I'm sorry. That's gotta be a downer.
Most premiums for the trials I've signed up for lately will refund the entry fees if your bitch goes into heat for the trial..

I wish! This says, "No refund will be made for bitches entered in Obedience that come in season after entries close. Bitches in season are not permitted in the trial."

I'm still going to attend the show... just to watch. This will only be my 2nd dog show to ever watch in person. So I plan to learn a lot.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

Oh that's really craptastic.. Harumph.
It's cool you will still go to watch though