Reproductive behaviour Flashcards
Male puppies: mounting
Mounting other puppies
Can begin as early as 5 weeks
May be followed by thrusting
As gets older may mount
Children
Should be discouraged
Punishment is often counterproductive
It is not a sign of dominance
Female puppies may mount as well
Urine marking: territorial and sexual
Can occur from
Three months on
More commonly as they reach sexual maturity, about 9-12 months
Male dogs routinely urine mark
Lift a leg
Rotate body
Void small quantity of urine horizontally
Typically, on walks
My be reduced by neutering
Intact bitches only urine mark as heat approaches or when in heat
Courtship of dogs
If male checking his scent posts find urine of a female approaching estrus
Urinates in the same area
Will remain inn area and follow her trail if bitch is close to estrus
Dog investigates head and body of bitch
Gradually concentrates an her vulva
A receptive (estrus) female elevates her rump and trunks her tail to one side
When ready, stands quietly, allows dog to mount
Experienced dogs mount from rear
Inexperienced dogs may mount from the side
Less successful
Dog grips bitches thighs with his forelegs
Estrous cycle of dogs
Usually start at 6-9 months
2 per year
Evenly spaced
False heat in dogs
Common in bitches of all ages
Pro estrus behaviour
Normal estrus usually follows in 2-3 months
Proestrus in dogs
Copious vaginal discharge
Will be serosanguinous for some of the time
May run and play with dogs
Investigate their general genital areas
Not ready to mate
Will resist the male dogs advances
Estrus in dogs
Her activity level and nervousness increase and she is often more vocal
Her interest in males increases
Bitch stands for the dogs attention
Mating is often towards the end of estrus
Receptive bitch stands quietly for the dog to mount
She will have her tail turned
Compilation of dogs
Male dog mounts and thrusts
Interomission may not be attained at first attempt
Courtship repeated
The bitch investigates dog genitals
Place herself in coital position
May place her head on his chest
May put her forefeet on his back or rump
Once penis in vulva
Bulbus glandis of penis swells
Vaginal muscle constrict
Creates the tie
Male usually dismounts to side
Then throws a hind leg over her rear so that they stand butt to butt
The tie of dogs
Stay locked for 10-30 minutes
Dog ejaculates during this time
Tie deflates
Dog licks his genital region
Problems during compilation
Some bitches are sexually excited but view courtship as a test of dominance
The dog is more comfortable if the bitch is brought to him
Intromission is more successful if dog mounts from rea
Dog’s behaviour before birth
Bitch licks nipples and genitals as parturition approaches
Lactation may start 1-7 days prepartum
Appetite may be noticeably decreased 24-48 hours before parturition
Most reliable indicator of approaching whelping is the body temp drops below 37 degrees celsius about 24 hours prior to whelping
Exhibit nesting behaviour
May be aggressive to strangers
Parturition stage 1 in dogs
Cervix dilating
Lasts 24 hours
Restless, reclusive nesting behaviour
Will be agitated if not given adequate privacy
Parturition stage 2 dogs
Visible abdominal contractions
Normal delivery
Puppies are born 5 to 60 min apart
Dystocia >2 h
Parturition after each puppy
Dam attends to it immediately
Licks, breaks, and removes the amniotic sac
Chews through the umbilical cord 5-7 cm from the puppies body
Consumes all parts of the expelled amnion and placenta
During Whelping the pup
The pup
Lies quietly at first
Licking stimulates it
Vocalizes once breathing and excess fluid expelled from upper resp tract
