Yogi is in season (3rd day of seeing blood) and was wondering if it was worth the risk to take her on short walks ON LEAD when the forest is at its quietest or is it really not fair on any male dogs that might be there?
Normally I keep her inside for a full 4 weeks, only letting her in the garden for toilet breaks under supervision.

If it's a regular dog walking spot, I wouldn't bother, particularly as at those times you are more likely to come across owners who walk their dogs because they don't get on with other dogs. It doesn't give them any long lasting psychological scars to keep them restricted for a few weeks while they get through their season, it's more us that are worried they haven't had their *necessary* walks.

Thanks I hadnt thought about meeting the anti-social dogs at quiet times! She doent do too badly while being kept in she just gets quite fat even though I cut her food right back. I just got her in pretty good condition too. Oh well! i'd rather a fatter dog through lack of exercise for while than a fat dog through pregnancy!!

I'm lucky in that there's a field right next door to exercise my girls when they're in season, in fact the OH uses it to his advantage, I take mine out first, his dogs don't go 20m from where she's pee'd!!

Does she swim and is there somewhere that you could take her just to swim?

Surely you wouldn't want a bitch in season to swim, there's the risk with her vulva being more swollen and open of infections?? Not so much with fast flowing/clean water, but how would you know unless you take a testing kit?

Oh goodness, my bitches have run around in mud swum did all that other bitches do. Not once has there been a problem.
I think we worry too much these days, that's why both kids and animals get ill so much. They aren't exposed to everyday muck
If they are going to be overly prone to infection then surely the mortality rate in wild bitches would be higher

Personally I would stick to short leaded street walks if anything. Wooded areas and fields will have an off lead entire male lurking about somewhere and it won't take long for you to be fending off a male with a bitch showing interest.

__________________