What time of year do dogs go in heat?

Question

I have a 7 month old Labrador retriever. He plays at the dog park almost every day and has lots of friends there. He was neutered at about 5 and a half months. I took him to the dog park yesterday and he got attacked by most of the dogs in the park, first in a noon play session, then again in an afternoon play session with different dogs. The attacking dogs were mostly boy dogs.

What happened? He's always the most friendly and social dog in the park and never gets into fights. Is it because bitches go into heat this time of year and the boys get aggressive? It's Halloween, temps are cooling, and the clocks just changed. Does any of this trigger the estrous cycle for bitches. Should I expect to see this every fall, and spring too?

Or is my 7-month old puppy giving out some sort of scent that can be triggering this aggression from other dogs?

Answer 1

Dogs come in heat about every 6 months from the age of 9 months or so based on their own cycle, not seasons (like cats) - with the exception of Basenjis. What is happening is your dog is no longer a puppy, and the other male dogs are trying to prove their dominance over him. It will hopefully work itself out soon & everything will return to normal once he has his 'place' in the pecking order established. The less you interfere, the sooner it will be over - but don't let things get so rough that he gets hurt. It it does get too out of hand, it may be best to avoid the dog park for a month or two.

Answer 2

Dogs don't go into heat at a certain time of the year, it is individual, just like in people. They go into heat about 6 months of age and then every 6 months after no matter what time of the year they were born.

Most importantly, if other dogs are attacking your dog at the dog park, those aggressive dogs should not be allowed to play there. If he is doing something behavior-wise to pick the fight, he should not be allowed to play there. Perhaps speaking with a trainer or behaviorist might shed some light on the situation. Was your dog taking from his litter at an early age? Perhaps he did not have much socialization with other dogs and doesnt' know how to interact with them. He may be doing something that signals to the other dogs that he needs to be reprimanded.

Or, they may just be playing. Are they really attacking him, or are they just playing rough? Something rough play does look pretty bad, but it isn't. I would definitely suggest talking with a behaviorist, at least a consult, to understand what is going on.

Answer 3

First off, female dogs go into heat about twice a year, 6 months apart... some dogs go into heat more often, some less often- it truly depends on the breed. There is no general "season" and I don't think that is why your pup got attacked. My pup is almost 2 years old now, but when he was younger he got a lot of growls and bites. Puppies give of a "puppy energy" if you will. Many older dogs try to set the standards and put younger dogs in line. It might be best if you avoid the full dog runs and stick to off hours, or puppy play groups. I live in NYC, and there are some great ones if you're in the area at Animal Haven Shelter in Soho.

Answer 4

No your pet isn't giving out any type of scent to make the other dogs attack,mostly all male dogs will do this if not acustom to the other dog.Female dogs don't have a certain time of year to come into season,but usually come in every 6 months.Males that are aggressive pets will attack other dogs that are strange to them,so females heat cycle don't have anything to do with your pet being attacked.Males sometimes do this in order to show dominance.Hope this answers your question

Answer 5

Are you sure he was being attacked not just play fighting. We used to have a ridgeback when he was 5 months old he got attacked had to have a op. i was too scared to take him out after that but since then i have read up about dogs. Most dogs know if its a puppy and tend to not attack, Puppies have not learnt how to behave around other dogs and some dogs may take this the wrong way. Our RR played with all the dogs down the park, at first i thought he was being attacked but another dog owner told me not to worry... they sounded and looked like it was a fight but this is how they play........ pretty scary if you dont know.Take your puppy to classes puppies can play together and they will start to learn how to act in front of other dogs. If you dont let them interact with other dogs now you may end up with a older dog which you cant let off the lead. Make friends with the dog owners down the park and tell them your worries.. he will make friends in no time.

Bitches being in heat will only cause trouble if a b itch in heat is there around other male dogs, your puppy may not understand what its all about. No one should take their heat bitches out around other dogs in the park... thats asking for trouble...does your puppy still act VERY puppyish ? he may be at that age when he may be confused for a hyper older dog and the other dogs are taking his behavior the wrong way. Good luck

Answer 6

The other dogs probably were new and since he is neutered, he doesn't give off a familiar smell... And the female dogs go into heat whenever... But usually in the fall/winter so as to have the pups born in the spring... Nature's way of them having a 'fighting' chance...

Answer 7

that's a common unusual habit. canines, like people react to their cycles in a diverse way. some particularly experience its consequence and go on with functional not something's replace. Others, like your canines go into vomitting and lethargy mode. I even have been around with canines for see you later i'm used to seeing them struggle via the main outrageous behavioral modifications each and every time they arrive in warmth. I assure you issues gets greater advantageous.