First heat... Now what

[windycanyon]

LOL, I just had one of my boys here for breeding. He'd have bred any girl or anything (okay, I hope I am exaggerating) that would stand at any time. Honestly, some dogs just don't have the level of obed that we other owners expect.
Funny thing, once the breeding (intended) was done, my girl actually snarled at him -- 3.5 days after ovulation no less. I've NEVER seen that w/ one of mine before. 2 days later, she laid on the floor w/ front legs entwined, cleaning another (younger) boy's ears as he cleaned hers. She was ~day 19 then. I of course was watching but she was done! I think she had been secretly hoping that the younger boy was here for her. Sorry, he was just here for other reasons!

[NoVA Lab Mama]

Update. Two and a half weeks in and we're doing ok. Stella has a heavier amount of discharge so she wears a diaper when not in her crate or out for a walk. So, when do we know when this is over? When her vulva goes back to normal size? I don't want to take a lack of discharge as the sign since that could instead be the sign of peak fertility. She was with a dog sitter last week and he noticed that for a few days the discharge seemed to have decreased.

Thoughts on on when to know we are "in the clear"?

[windycanyon]

Update. Two and a half weeks in and we're doing ok. Stella has a heavier amount of discharge so she wears a diaper when not in her crate or out for a walk. So, when do we know when this is over? When her vulva goes back to normal size? I don't want to take a lack of discharge as the sign since that could instead be the sign of peak fertility. She was with a dog sitter last week and he noticed that for a few days the discharge seemed to have decreased.

Thoughts on on when to know we are "in the clear"?

Her vulva will decrease in size significantly, but probably not go to the initial size. It will become much more firm again and the bleeding/ discharge will stop. You likely have at least a few more days. Hang in there, you're doing great! Anne