I bought a pair at my local pet store, just use a panty liner in it. Only used them one time can't remember why must have been a reason... Dogs naturally try to keep themselves clean I just don't let them in the living room without an old sheet down......As far as walking when the girls are in heat the do not leave my yard in the back. I have an intact male collie and keeping him from the Lab when she was in heat was a task and alot of work. They both had separate crates in separate areas and 1 was out at a time with the other dogs. He turned off his food, he whined constantly when he wasn't barking but it was worth the effort otherwise I would have had 2 sires to my last litter which were Labradors and that would have been devastating. Although Lily did stay at a kennel most of the time when I picked her up she was not fully over her season and I wasn't willing to take any chances....The other times Lily was in heat we did the same thing crates in separate areas and constant supervision ( as like has been said crates can be chewed along with doors) if we went out we also took extra precautions took one with us if we could, or put one crate in the garage or work shop.

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(Justice was not served for Lyle)(Value of a Human life by the Canadian Justice system 835 days)

2 of my bitches threw-up, as a direct result of incessantly licking & swallowing blood-laced mucus.
i don't think nausea & vomiting are particularly pleasant to the one who's experiencing them?

also, they can easily nose the pad aside & groom - they just don't do it nonstop, nor do they rise
after a nap, & dribble whilst walking - or leak while asleep. All in all, everyone is happier -
me, the bitches, and anyone else in the house. Less muss, less fuss, less stress.

part of the REASON for 'increased risk of infection' is precisely all that licking: the tongue transports
bacteria from anus & petticoats, to the vulva, from which it can enter the vagina & cause serious problems.
less licking = lower risk; the pads, BTW, are changed at least once every 12-hours, & more often if needed.
it's simple to check the pad each time she's out for a potty-trip, & carry a spare along, in case.
change the liner, pop the panties back on, all clean - back indoors. Easy!
good question.
good on ya! Dogs can be amazingly resourceful, no matter which gender we're discussing,
when estrus is in the air; i've seen giant bitches lie-down for toy dogs, i've seen toy dogs climb a 12-ft fence
to reach a Dane in heat, i've seen dogs TIE thru a cyclone-fence [very dangerous!], it's endless variations.

2 barriers is always the safest: crate PLUS latched door, crate PLUS baby-gate, & so on.
kids who are old-enuf to open doors greatly increase the risk. They don't always latch them!

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terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007