I was wondering if it's best not to get a female dog evaluated for temperament and such before, during or right after a heat cycle. I wanted to get my younger gsd evaluated but her estrus cycle should be this month. I'm not sure if I should hold out and wait or do it as soon as possible before it starts. Any opinions?
Sandy Moore Webboard User Reg: 07-25-2006
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Loc: AZ
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Personally, I'd wait till she's done, to give her full advantage. I guess it also depends on how many days away her next cycle is, if you want to have the eval before the cycle.
Reg: 07-11-2002
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Loc: North Florida (Live Oak area)
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You know your dog <grin> I would be guided by that.
For the most part I ignore heat cycles, it just gives me something to blame if the dog or I are particularly flakey that day. <Big grin>
Raya recently had a heat cycle brought on by hormonal medication and training wise she was totally useless during that period.
If she is in heat let the evaluator know, some of them will want her on a seperate part of the field. And she probably will be much more reactive to other dogs.
This will be her 3rd cycle, she is acting a bit differently than the other 2 cycles. The first one was hard to tell and she didn't exhibit any behavior changes. The second one was pretty good as far as temperament (April 19th), but this time around I am noticing she is extremely thirsty and on 2 occasions she was acting nervous and tense, both times I was in the yard with her.
The first time was when a big rig truck blew it's horn on the elevated highway behind our yard, the second was when men were working under the highway and knocking off loose concrete. When these men were working directly behind the house she had no problem with them, but when they moved further down out of her view she became nervous and wanted to go back in the house. This behavior is totally unlike her, she hasn't acted differently towards people or other animals only things she hears but can't see.
Carol Boche Webboard User Reg: 10-30-2005
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Loc: South Dakota, USA
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Personally, I would wait until her cycle is complete with the behaviors she was displaying in past cycles.
I know my dog well, so I do what I know she will do well while in heat, and I do work on basics as far as obedience but I do not push her....there is no reason to get into a fight with her, when I know what she is like, IMHO. And she is not allowed around the other dogs.
Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter
Some of my dogs do get cranky or more intense before they start, some do not. If your female's behavior changes during her heat and if you are testing her far enough ahead of her heat you shouldn't have a problem. The question is: how far in advance is enough? It all boils down to how well you know your dog and how much her behavior changes during her cycle.
Sorry to be so vague, but it really depends on the individual.
If you pick a day to test and she seems off then, do it another day after her cycle.
Well, while I was writing my letter you got your answer. You WOULD be better off waiting.
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