Reaction to bitch in heat?

[TylerDurden]

We took Bane for our regular evening walk when he suddenly started sniffing the air like crazy. He started twisting and turning in all different directions as if he was trying to locate the source of a smell. We weren‘t able to calm him and he tried to pull away. Luckily, he was wearing both harness and collar, so we were both able to grab him. I knew that he was strong, but it was scary to experience how easily he could have pulled both of us away (he‘s about 185lbs now). We managed to somewhat calm him, and get close to our house. Once we were close, he started running towards the entrance. In the process of entering, he pooped on the stairs (outside) which is something he had never done before. As soon as we were inside, he was perfectly calm again. That leaves me with some questions:

1.) Was he smelling a bitch in heat? We are not aware of any and haven‘t seen any, but I assume that could very well be in a place quite far away.

2.) If that was the case, why would he start running towards the house if there was a bitch out there he was smelling?

3.) Could the pooping on the stairs have been a stress reaction?

4.) How do you manage unaltered males of that strength on walks? He is fine on walks, but I can‘t ask my wife to walk him like that. That bitch won‘t be in heat forever, but you never know (there can be others). He wouldn‘t harm anyone, but there are some busy streets close by, and I wouldn‘t want her get dragged to the street.

5.) Do visit public places like pet stores, parks etc. with unaltered males of a certain age?

Thank you all as always.

 

[glen]

I have 3 intact males, and yes the strength they have when they are determined is scarey, i know if theres a bitch in heat if they start to drool and chomping there teeth together, sniffing the ground and the air, whining if the scent was strong.
I can tell if the boys start to get the scent now, its hard but i make them focus on me, yes i can still see in them that there hyped about it, they also make a grunting noise as they sniff the ground, thats when there not allowed to sniff again on the walk, there not allowed to sniff on leash anyway.
As iv always owned unaltered males iv always trained never to let them sniff whilst on leash, sit, stay, and focus is crucial to me, iv seen them shake with frustration when a bitch as passed but luckily iv always managed to keep them under control with the training.
I would take him back to the area and see how he is, this time you know it might happen and be ready, keep him on a leash a dog will do anything to get to a bitch when shes ready. Try to get him to listen to the commands you do.
I visit all the places you asked, at banes age id do it as often as you can, we did as much as possible, even if we diidnt need anything, the vets was a big one we would just take them to the car park and get them to sit, there was quite a lot of bitches in heat so it was a valuble training spot for us.
Good luck

 

[TylerDurden]

I have 3 intact males, and yes the strength they have when they are determined is scarey, i know if theres a bitch in heat if they start to drool and chomping there teeth together, sniffing the ground and the air, whining if the scent was strong.
I can tell if the boys start to get the scent now, its hard but i make them focus on me, yes i can still see in them that there hyped about it, they also make a grunting noise as they sniff the ground, thats when there not allowed to sniff again on the walk, there not allowed to sniff on leash anyway.
As iv always owned unaltered males iv always trained never to let them sniff whilst on leash, sit, stay, and focus is crucial to me, iv seen them shake with frustration when a bitch as passed but luckily iv always managed to keep them under control with the training.
I would take him back to the area and see how he is, this time you know it might happen and be ready, keep him on a leash a dog will do anything to get to a bitch when shes ready. Try to get him to listen to the commands you do.
I visit all the places you asked, at banes age id do it as often as you can, we did as much as possible, even if we diidnt need anything, the vets was a big one we would just take them to the car park and get them to sit, there was quite a lot of bitches in heat so it was a valuble training spot for us.
Good luck

Thanks, glen. We will definitely continue all training activities. At this point, I can‘t even tell for sure if his reaction was caused by a bitch in heat. However, it was so strong, which is why I really don‘t have any other reasonable explanation. I couldn‘t really explain why he was running towards our house, rather than towards the smell. This made me think of a fear reaction, but there was nothing he could have been afraid of during the walk.

 

[marke]

i know if theres a bitch in heat if they start to drool and chomping there teeth together,

that brings back memories of past dogs definitely a really good visual clue ……. I had a dog jumped out a second floor window to get to a bitch in heat , through the screen ……….. they can be pretty out of control in that situation …….

 

[TylerDurden]

Thanks, glen. We will definitely continue all training activities. At this point, I can‘t even tell for sure if his reaction was caused by a bitch in heat. However, it was so strong, which is why I really don‘t have any other reasonable explanation. I couldn‘t really explain why he was running towards our house, rather than towards the smell. This made me think of a fear reaction, but there was nothing he could have been afraid of during the walk.

Quick update: the morning walk was ok for the most part, but he was very sensitive to noises and his surroundings. Again, I had the feeling that he wanted run back home as quickly as possible. He hasn‘t touched his food at all.

 

[Sheila Braund]

Quick update: the morning walk was ok for the most part, but he was very sensitive to noises and his surroundings. Again, I had the feeling that he wanted run back home as quickly as possible. He hasn‘t touched his food at all.

With the neighbour's dog went into heat, Hogan my dads EM would go on a hunger strike for days on end. Dad was always afraid Hogan would break down the back door to get out for the neighbours female

 

[glen]

that brings back memories of past dogs definitely a really good visual clue ……. I had a dog jumped out a second floor window to get to a bitch in heat , through the screen ……….. they can be pretty out of control in that situation …….

I always think the chomping is when the bitch is getting ready to breed, if i hear this i know if they could they would be gone. Then you can see the frustration in them full body tremble.

 

[glen]

Quick update: the morning walk was ok for the most part, but he was very sensitive to noises and his surroundings. Again, I had the feeling that he wanted run back home as quickly as possible. He hasn‘t touched his food at all.

It can drive them nuts they go off food, they wont settle and it can seem as if there fearful, did you take him to the same area. If you did try taking him to a different place and see how he reacts.

 

[TylerDurden]

It can drive them nuts they go off food, they wont settle and it can seem as if there fearful, did you take him to the same area. If you did try taking him to a different place and see how he reacts.

Yes, we did take a slightly different route today. It was a relatively short walk because it was about 35-37 degrees (celsius), so too hot for a long afternoon walk.
He still seemed more alert than he usually is, but did fine otherwise. No sniffing, no pulling etc. He‘s also eating normally again (skipped his breakfast).

 

[glen]

How is bane.

 

[TylerDurden]

How is bane.

Thanks for asking. He‘s good. We tried to take him back to the initial spot during our last walk. The reaction was very similar again, and he became nervous and tried to run home immediately. This spot is only 100-200m away from the alternative route, so I no longer believe in the bitch in heat theory, as he would probably smell her on either route. It almost looks like a fear reaction, but I have no idea what it might be causing it. Nothing has changed or happened. It suddenly started on Friday without any obvious reason. Could this be a fear stage thing? He‘s 10 months old.

 

[Smokeycat]

Kryten had a similar reaction like that once only without the panic, he was older (3 years old and had his full temperament) so that might explain the lack of panic. We were walking down the street when he just stopped and started sniffing the air while looking around. At that point the only direction he would go was towards home and he was very determined that we would get home quickly. He also stayed between me and that spot as much as he could. I never figured out what caused that behavior but it was over a month before he would go down that road again. Based on the fact he was sniffing the air I'm certain he smelt something that he considered a threat to me if not to him.

 

[glen]

Yes it could be a fear stage, it will pass as quick as it starts at times and act like nothing as happened

 

[TylerDurden]

Kryten had a similar reaction like that once only without the panic, he was older (3 years old and had his full temperament) so that might explain the lack of panic. We were walking down the street when he just stopped and started sniffing the air while looking around. At that point the only direction he would go was towards home and he was very determined that we would get home quickly. He also stayed between me and that spot as much as he could. I never figured out what caused that behavior but it was over a month before he would go down that road again. Based on the fact he was sniffing the air I'm certain he smelt something that he considered a threat to me if not to him.

Thanks for sharing. That‘s exactly what happened. I have no idea what he was smelling, as we had walked down that path a hundred times. I couldn‘t notice or smell anything unusual, but understand that their noses are so much better than ours. We will take a break for a couple of days/weeks and then try again.

 

[Smokeycat]

Thanks for sharing. That‘s exactly what happened. I have no idea what he was smelling, as we had walked down that path a hundred times. I couldn‘t notice or smell anything unusual, but understand that their noses are so much better than ours. We will take a break for a couple of days/weeks and then try again.

Based on my experience with Kryten it seems likely that Bane's instincts were telling him something was off but since he is still young it scared him and he didn't know how to respond. One thing that I think helped Kryten is the fact that he knows I have his back but that I will also listen to him if he insists on something after I tell him it's ok.

 

[April Nicole]

It does sound like its fear. If it were a bitch, I don't think he would have tried to run home. He would have tried to go wherever she was. And he would have been marking like crazy. I think something may have spooked him. Buster would get spooked by insignificant things at that age. Once it was an old metal milk jug that someone used as decoration. He would take one look at it, and high tail it back home.
Then it was a buffalo statue, it was big. I understood his fear of that one, but the milk jug was funny..

So maybe it was something insignificant like a decorative milk jug, or maybe it was something significant like he sensed you were in danger and wanted to get you outta there.

 

[Sheila Braund]

That seems like a fear response to me....who knows there may have been a large bread male that just passed by or close by that area..... was he sniffing the ground or air....or both..... when I walk my girls if either one of them want to turn back to go home we do.....we live where there are issues of coyote pack close by.... So if they are telling me to head back I do....it doesn't happen a lot so when they're alert I listen.

 

[TylerDurden]

@glen @Sheila Braund @Smokeycat @April Nicole
I think you are all right about the fear stage. We have his regular vet check up tomorrow. Let‘s see how that goes and if he shows any type of unusual behavior.

 

[Boxergirl]

Agreed with everyone above. Sounds like a fear stage to me as well. Best of luck tomorrow at the vet.

 

[Sheila Braund]

@glen @Sheila Braund @Smokeycat @April Nicole
I think you are all right about the fear stage. We have his regular vet check up tomorrow. Let‘s see how that goes and if he shows any type of unusual behavior.

Perfect timing....let us know how he does, please