Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I don't quite know what to do! My Jack Russell, Molly is in heat. This is my first time dealing with something like this. I have gotten her a doggy diaper and some liners. Is there anything else that I should do? Dexter, the boy JRT has not started acting strangely yet. Should I send him to stay with family? How long should this last?

>>I don't quite know what to do! My Jack Russell, Molly is in heat. This is my first time dealing with something like this. I have gotten her a doggy diaper and some liners. Is there anything else that I should do? Dexter, the boy JRT has not started acting strangely yet. Should I send him to stay with family? How long should this last?

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Boarding him with someone you trust could certainly ease stress on everyone, especially on him. Are you going to have her spayed? Is he intact?
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Dexter has not been neutered. We are going to have Molly spayed when this cycle is completely over with. My husband wants to get her taken care of first. I think he's afraid something bad will happen to her, Like a large dog. We keep very close tabs on both of them but things can happen.

We have several family members that have requested Dexter for the next 3 weeks but I think we'll most likely send him to stay with his grandparents, he'll be best taken care of with them.

>>Dexter has not been neutered. We are going to have Molly spayed when this cycle is completely over with. My husband wants to get her taken care of first. I think he's afraid something bad will happen to her, Like a large dog. We keep very close tabs on both of them but things can happen.
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>>We have several family members that have requested Dexter for the next 3 weeks but I think we'll most likely send him to stay with his grandparents, he'll be best taken care of with them.

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If he's not neutered, it's great that you have family who will take care of him. At home he might be crying, wailing, getting frantic and unable to eat. It can be very tough on the males. Mating behavior in dogs is very different from humans. It's not even instinctive any more for the most part, because selective breeding has created dogs who are far more fertile than is good for them. You'll be glad not to go through any more cycles!

The dogs will require restricted activity while healing from surgery and not be safe to play together until the vet says it's okay. You might want to consider having the male done when he's gone, and the female as soon as the vet says it's okay. If the parents can't keep him on restricted activity, you could have both dogs done at the same time, and have a little "canine hospital ward" at home until they're released to play together again. I did it that way once.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Thank you very much! You are always so helpful.