Q&A for How to Tell if Your Dog Is in Heat

They definitely can! For instance, a dog in heat might be more lenient if another dog tries to mount her.

Don't worry—that's normal. You might notice some blood while your dog is heat, and she might be licking and cleaning herself in that area a lot.

Before your dog goes into heat, talk to your veterinarian about what to expect and what to prepare. You will see behavioral changes in your pup before they start bleeding. Some dogs will want more space, others become very clingy. Unless they ask to be pet, it may be best to not touch them. Use the three-second rule. Pet them for three seconds and then stop. If your dog doesn’t actively ask for more pets by nudging or pawing you, keep your hands to yourself. When you see the behavior changes it’s also time to run out and get doggy diapers if you haven’t already stocked up. You’ll also need to keep male dogs away from your pup to prevent pregnancy. It’s time to walk your pup on leash only - no dog parks or off leash hikes.

This is largely a matter of timing and looking at the bigger picture. Expect the heat to last at least three weeks, and never relax vigilance before this. If after three weeks the discharge dries up, her vulva gradually decreases in size, and dogs seem less attracted to her, then there's a good chance the estrus has come to an end and the hormones are ebbing. However this isn't like pressing a light switch on or off — her hormones gradually ebb which means any changes take place over several days.

Not usually. When a dog is spayed her ovaries are removed, and therefore there should be no ovarian material left to push out the hormones associated with estrus. Occasionally dogs may have ectopic ovarian tissue located elsewhere in the abdomen, or occasionally not quite all the ovary was removed and it regenerates slightly.