Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

Young and inexperienced males may become so excited that they ejaculate
before intromission. This is more likely to happen if attempts are made to
guide the male by taking hold of his penis behind the bulb.
A mating between a tall dog and a short bitch can present mechanical
problems. The solution is to stand the male in a ditch or breed on a slope to
equalize the difference.
Small dogs can be mated on a table with a piece of carpet or nonslip rug on
it for good footing. Support the female with a hand beneath her pelvis.
A PROLONGED TIE
A prolonged tie is one that lasts for an hour or longer. The problem is caused
by a spasm of the constricting vulvar ring. The ring maintains the dog’s erection
by preventing the blood from leaving the bulbus glandis and returning to
the body. Eventually the animals become frustrated and begin to tug against
each other, aggravating the problem.
Do not throw water on the dogs or try to pull them apart. Instead, turn the
male so that he mounts the female and then push on his rump to increase the
depth of penetration. This relieves the constricting effect of the vulvar ring
on the penis and allows the bulb to subside.
SHY BREEDERS AND DOGS WHO WON’T MATE
SEX AND REPRODUCTION • 443
The most common reason why dogs refuse to mate is that it is the wrong time
in the estrous cycle. If mating is attempted too early in the cycle, the bitch
may growl and snap at the dog, or she may allow the male to mount, only to
sit down or jump away as he starts to thrust. This is normal proestrus behavior,
but some breeders may misinterpret it as a sign that mating won’t take place.
A simple test to check for estrus is to stroke the female’s vulva when she is
relaxed. A bitch in estrus raises her vulva and flags her tail to the side. These
signs indicate that she is hormonally ready for breeding. If it is the right time
and she continues to refuse the male, then quite likely the problem is psychological.
Psychological factors are much more common than hormonal or physical
ones.
A female raised as a house pet may be a shy breeder because of inadequate
social contact with members of her own species. Mate preference, too, can be
a determining factor. A bitch who runs with a certain dog may mate willingly
with that dog but refuse another. Some females are willing to mate only with
very aggressive males.
In males, sexual aggressiveness may be influenced by unpleasant associations
with sex. Some owners scold or punish a dog for showing sexual behavior
toward dogs or people. Thus the dog comes to believe he will be punished if he