03/09/2026
Most owners know when their dog is in season. Far fewer know what's actually happening during those weeks, and that gap can cause real problems.
Here's what I mean.
A dog's season (also called a heat cycle) typically lasts around three to four weeks in total, though this can vary between individuals. It's broken down into distinct stages, and understanding each one matters a lot more than most people realise.
The first stage, called proestrus, usually lasts around nine days. This is when you'll notice the swelling and bloody discharge. Most owners clock this immediately. The dog may seem a little off, clingy, or distracted. Male dogs will start showing interest, but here's the important bit, she's not yet ready to mate and will likely reject their advances. That doesn't stop the attention though.
Then comes oestrus. This is the fertile window. The bleeding often reduces or stops entirely, which is where owners can be caught off guard. The discharge may lighten to a pinkish or straw colour. The swelling is still very much present. This stage also lasts roughly nine days, and this is when she is receptive to males. If she were to be mated, this is when it would happen.
Just because the bleeding has stopped, that does not mean the season is over.
After that, the body moves into dioestrus, the phase where hormone levels start to shift and she's no longer fertile. Then anoestrus, the long quiet period between seasons. Most dogs will cycle twice a year, though again, this varies.
Now, the bit I want dog walkers and owners to think about more carefully.
When I have a dog in season on my books, I pull them from group walks. That's standard practice and pretty well understood. But what's less talked about is that solo walks carry their own risks too.
An intact male dog that's off-lead and catches a scent can cover ground very quickly. Dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell and can detect a female in season from a considerable distance. If I'm out on a solo walk with a girl in season and an off-lead male appears, I'm managing a situation that can escalate fast, regardless of how well behaved either dog usually is. A determined male dog in that moment is not particularly interested in his owner's recall cues.
And it's not just males that can cause issues. Females can also react to a dog in season, becoming over-stimulated, reactive, or unsettled around her. It's not always aggression, sometimes it's just chaotic, disruptive energy that makes the walk unsafe or stressful for everyone involved. So even walking her around other females in a group isn't without complication.
This is why, during a season, the approach has to change.
It's not a case of the dog missing out on exercise or enrichment altogether. It's about being more deliberate with timing, choosing quieter routes, avoiding peak dog-walking hours, and keeping walks shorter and closer to home. Early mornings, quieter areas away from popular dog spots, and keeping her on lead throughout are all part of managing things sensibly.
As a professional walker, I have a responsibility to every dog in my care, including the ones who aren't in season. Bringing a girl who's fertile into a public space where off-lead dogs are likely, even on a solo walk, puts me in a position I'm not comfortable with. Not because I can't handle it, but because preventing a situation is always better than managing one.
If your girl comes into season, please let me know as early as possible. Timing can vary and seasons don't always announce themselves with perfect predictability. The more notice I have, the more smoothly I can adjust the schedule and make sure she's still getting the care she needs within sensible boundaries.
This is part of responsible pet care. Not a rule for the sake of it, but a genuine consideration for her safety, the safety of other dogs, and the wellbeing of everyone on that walk.
Building strong relationships creates happy, confident dogs. And sometimes that means slowing things down for a few weeks to protect all of them.
If your dog is coming into season or you've got questions about how I manage this, send me a message and we can work something out together.
