How to Calm a Male Dog When a Female Is in Heat

Male dogs become sexually mature by nine months of age. Vet4Petz.com explains that intact male dogs have a strong urge to mate when they smell a bitch in heat. Kathy Diamond Davis, author and trainer, says a male dog may not be able to eat or sleep when around a female in heat. If you have an intact (unspayed) bitch and are facing her coming into heat, there are some things you can do to help calm and control your male dog.

Things You'll Need

• liquid chlorophyll (optional)
• vinegar or bleach (optional)

Instructions

1. Neutering your pets is the best way to control the situation and keep the male calm. If you spay the bitch you help protect her from mammary, uterine and ovarian cancer. If you neuter your male you will decrease the hormonal drive to mate with bitches that are in heat. Although Vet4Petz.com says neutering an older male may not decrease aggression, it does help with mating responses. Davis points out that it will also help reduce other behaviors related to hormones such as marking.

2. Boarding the male or the female, or having a friend keep the male during the heat are other ways to keep your male calm. Although you may need to board the dog for at least the two peak weeks of heat, this is an excellent option if you do not want to spay the bitch.

3. Decreasing or masking the odor of the female's heat scents is another way to help keep the male calm. Liquid chlorophyll can be found at health shops, online and at dog supply stores. Follow the bottle instructions as the dosage varies according to the bitch's size. Giving this to a bitch at the first sign of heat until it is over may help mask the scent. It is safe to use and effective. Although it reduces the smell, the male will still mate with the female, so do not leave them together. The use of strong-smelling substances such as Vicks Vapo Rub under the male dog's nose to prevent them scenting the bitch is not effective.

4. Take the bitch to potty away from your own yard if possible; or you can douse her urine with vinegar or bleach to prevent your male from picking up the smell.

5. Training your dog to ignore things is a good tool for many situations, not just for bitches that are in heat. Dogs can smell a bitch in heat from far away. If the bitch in heat is not your own and you do not want to neuter your male, training him may be your best option. Mary Woodward, dog trainer and co-owner of Greenwood Dog Training School, Wilmington, Delaware, has clear instructions for the "leave it" command at http://www.clickerlessons.com/leaveit.htm. A dog who has been trained to obey your commands is easier to control and calm when around females in heat.

Tips & Warnings

• Davis points out that male dogs are responsible for the highest bite rates in the U.S. A male dog with a bitch in heat may be more territorial and prone to bite. Contain your dog and make sure that children and visitors are not placed in danger or come between the male and female dogs.

References

• Vet4Petz.com: Pet Health: Spay and Neuter
• Veterinarypartner.com: Spay/Neuter Behavior Benefits
• Clicker Training Lessons.com: Leave It

Resources

• Dog Bite Law.com: Why Dogs Bite
• Pet Education.com: Spaying (Ovariohysterectomy): The Benefits in Dogs
• CanineCancerAwareness.org: Mammary Cancer