Not Sure If Your Dog Is Ready To Mate? Here Are 15 Signs To Check
When a dog is ready to procreate, there are specific behavioral shifts you might start noticing. This period of readiness, often known as heat in females, is a short window you can miss if you aren’t attentive. Here are 15 sure signs your dog is ready to give life to a litter of puppies.
Increased Affection and Attention-Seeking
One of the first signs that your dog may be ready to mate is increased attachment to you or its potential mating partner. If your female dog suddenly becomes more clingy or seeks more attention than usual, it could indicate it is in heat and is ready for mating.
Restlessness and Nervousness
When a dog is ready to mate, they may suddenly become restless and nervous. You’ll notice this when they start pacing, whining, or find it hard to settle down. Male dogs might become more alert, while females in heat might appear anxious or uncomfortable.
Frequent Urination
Frequent urination is a common sign that a female dog is ready to mate. You may notice your dog squatting to urinate more often, even if only a few drops are released. Their urine leaves its scent, which contains pheromones that attract male dogs.
Changes in Appetite
Appetite changes could also be an indicator, but please note that this has to accompany all the other signs listed above to indicate the mating season. Some might eat more than usual as their bodies prepare for pregnancy, while others might lose their appetite due to hormonal changes.
Swollen Vulva in Female Dogs
An obvious physical sign of being ready to mate in female dogs is a swollen vulva. The vulva will appear larger than usual and might feel slightly firm. Such enlargement occurs during the estrus phase of the heat cycle, signaling that the dog is fertile.
Mounting Behavior
Both male and female dogs may mount fellow dogs, objects, or even people to express their sexual readiness. Hormonal urges drive this behavior, which is more pronounced in male dogs. Female dogs in heat may also mount to signal their availability to potential mates.
Flagging
Flagging is when a female positions her tail to one side. It indicates she is in heat and receptive to a male dog ready to mount her. Moving her tail to the side allows her potential mate easy access to mating. It is a green flag that she is prepared!
Frequently Licking the Genital Area
Dogs ready to breed develop the habit of licking their genital area more frequently. This behavior helps females clean themselves due to increased discharge during the heat cycle. For males, frequent licking can be a sign of arousal or irritation due to increased sexual desire.
Behavioral Changes Towards Other Dogs
A dog ready to mate may also start acting differently towards other dogs. For instance, males can become more assertive as they compete for the attention of a female in heat. Female dogs might flirt by play-bowing, wagging their tails, or presenting their hindquarters to males.
Nesting Behavior in Female Dogs
Nesting involves gathering blankets, toys, or other objects and creating a comfortable, secluded space that mimics a nest. This instinctive behavior can be a sign that a female dog is preparing for the possibility of pregnancy. If you notice some aggression when you try to clear the space, it confirms it.
Increased Vocalization
Male and female dogs ready to mate may become more vocal by whining, barking, or howling, especially if they are separated from other dogs. Increased vocalization is often a call to potential mates and can signify frustration or excitement due to their readiness to breed.
Changes in Sleeping Patterns
When a dog is ready to mate, it might sleep less than usual due to heightened excitement or anxiety. Sleeplessness is usually temporary and directly related to their heat cycle or mating instincts. However, ensure that other signs of heat complement this sleep pattern.
Scent Marking in Male Dogs
Male dogs increase their scent marking when they are ready to mate. They do this by urinating on various objects or areas inside and outside the home to mark their territory. The trail they leave behind signals their presence to potential mates and wards off competitors.
Engorged Penis
If your male dog is ready to mate, it may exhibit physical changes such as an engorged or swollen prepuce. These changes, similar to the female’s swollen vulva, are due to increased blood flow and arousal and indicate their readiness to mate.
Persistent Interest in Female Dogs
A male dog ready to copulate often shows persistent interest in female dogs. It may begin to follow the females closely, sniff them constantly, and urinate in areas around them. This is how male dogs fixate on female canines.
