We have a pair of Norwegian Elkhounds. They're both AKC registered and we intend to raise some pups but now is not a good time for that. The female is coming into heat and the male has become .... interested is a good way to put it. So I put him in a kennel away from her. Now they are barking to each other. They've been barking for over two hours now. He yips and she barks. They're driving me nuts. I'm sure the neighbors can hear them and they don't live close. Elkhounds love the sound of their own voice! Will they shut up before midnight? Is there some kind of garment or chastity belt I can put on the gal? Any advice would be apreciated!
oh dear, I do feel that you are in for a long 3 weeks.. Is there somewhere you can put one of them that is out of earshot of the other? I have a small barn outside that my male goes to, when the girls are in, LOCKED up inside a kennel in the basement.. they do sell pants for girls in heat..but that isn't going to keep him quiet!!
i agree... you are going to have to put them where they cannot see/hear each other. maybe a crate in the basement? Especially at night. is the girl "safe" from other male dogs that will smell her from a distance? otherwise you will be having problems.
There's such a thing as dog pants for grump in heat but I don't think it masks the smell entirely. When one shows up at one of our training classes, we are all informed in advance even though she wears pants. If anyone objects to her presence, she is not allowed in class.
I think you are doing about the only practical thing now, keeping them away from each other. Even if they couldnt see one another, I am not real sure that would even help much.
Quote:These are strictly for keeping a mess off of the floors and furniture. They in no way would keep dogs from breeding. Keep them separated with at least 2 barriers between them or more. I had a dog jump a gate (never done previously) and then breed a female who was in her crate. You can put a dab on vicks on the male's nose, that will help cover her scent so he won't be so anxious.
You can also ask your vet for something mild to calm your male. If he gets to excited it can be harmful to him. Not real sure how to explain this family friendly, but, here goes.... His stuff can back into his bladder and cause a bladder infection. This bladder infection can be very harmful if it causes thickening in the lining of his bladder. We use the meds on my engies when we have someone in. They do not otherwise sleep for days at a time.
As someone who has bred Dobies for years, I can practically promise you that your male will NOT shut up for the next 3 weeks. Mine will cry until they get so hoarse that no sound will come out. But if you touch their throats, you can feel the vibration of them still TRYING. I keep males and females at opposite ends of the house with at least 2 strong doors between them, use odor-killing sprays, play music, and they STILL cry. The girls just settle in and go to sleep, though. My best stud has a favorite female and when she is in, he won't eat either. Meds only make him more anxious instead of helping. Some dogs just don't react well to them.
I would ask a friend to doggie sit and send the boy on over there... out of smell range is the only thing that'll help this
