Bitches in heat and training

[Tennyson.Horler]

Hi all,

I have two bitches. When not in heat, I try to train one every other day. My black lab takes training (at home) fine when in heat, I can do directionals, stops and hunting exercises. My yellow lab seems to be a different story; she swaps, blinks and generally gets distracted.

Is it worth pushing on and trying to train her whilst she is in heat, or give her a few weeks off and come back to it at a later date? I don't want to make the swapping and blinking worse by forcing a square peg into a round hole!

S

[munstyman]

You have my sympathy as I've been there, done that and have several tee shirts with that problem. Just like you I've had bitches who's work ethic is so strong it mostly over rides the hormones, and you can carry on much as normal ( although I don't let myself think anything they learn in this time is now set in stone ) Others minds go like Swiss cheese, they forget things that were previously established, can't seem to grasp very simple new tasks and easily get distracted. Further there are differences in the "coming into season" and "post season" period which can effect their attitude to training, and again it is very much an individual thing and not something you can say effects all bitches.
The only advise I can give is don't push it if the bitch isn't responding as normal ... you'll lose. Except what it is and take a break from training or just keep it simple and be very understanding, you'll gain in the long run, ask a woman

[CockerCanuck]

Maybe I have just been lucky but I have owned several intact ESS and Labrador bitches over the years. I never really noticed much difference in their performance while in season. On the other hand it had a significant impact on the performance of any male dogs within a half mile

But that doesn’t really answer your question. I think I would treat it like any other setback in training. Take a short break, slow down and go to stuff the dog does very well. Lots of praise and “this too shall pass”.

[Judy]

I've had bitches like yours, just can't be bothered during their seasons. On the plus side I had a completely OCD Flatcoat who actually became manageable for nine or ten weeks after her season, I used to wish she was permanently hormonal. Leave the yellow Lab be for two or three weeks, she wont forget what she has already learned and may come back keener, I know mine are often better for a break from training.

[Nickheref]

I've never really seen any difference in my bitches (ESS) work ethic when in season. What is quite interesting is the very short period when they are actually interested in the dog, recently a bitch was in season and was really only interested in the dog for 3 days, on the preceding day she pretty much ignored him and day 4 she told him she would rip his face of if he came near her again, in the 3 middle days they would have mated if I had given them half a chance! She is very mid mannered the rest of the time! The dog told me she was coming into season 10 days before but didn't show any real interest until she was ready. All is back to normal now!

[Tennyson.Horler]

some really useful information. seems my gut is right, let her have some time. Hopefully, she will come back keen and punching like she did before. I guess it follows the saying 'every dog is different'. Fingers crossed this issue doesn't persist past her season.

On a side note and a slight tangent (might even start another thread), she was fed on my other dog's food (Skinner's maintenance) as I ran out of her normal food (Chudleys working), I suspect this also played into her lacklustre approach.

[Nickheref]

I often gives young dogs a bit of a break and then see what has actually been learnt and to prevent them getting bored. Once over about 2 the only training they get (unless a genuine issue appears in work) is covered by everyday stuff such as waiting at gates or sitting quietly whist I sort something out or the odd retrieve for their fun more than mine.