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10.5 month old Golden in heat

19 18:01:25

Question
We have had this Golden for one day.  The owners told us she was at the end of her first heat cycle.  We have a 4-year-old male Golden.  They spent the whole day together, supervised the entire time, and there were no problems whatsoever.  However, at night while we were all in the same room together, the two dogs touched noses and then went their separate ways.  The next thing we know, the female is growling (my male is not near her) and "rooting" herself in the blankets growling more.  The next thing we know, she is looking towards our male, growling and snarling and then jumps up and goes over and snaps at him.  We separated them immediately.  I am somewhat concerned as this dog, along with her sister, have been kept in a kennel in a barn.  They would let them out to run around for exercise.  The owners also have the mother, father and a brother.  I've been told it could be possible she is pregnant even though she was kept in a kennel, and to my knowledge not allowed to mingle with the others.  The only other symptoms she is portraying is not eating (which I thought may be due to stress) and she acts like her nipples are tender when I rub her belly and they seem a little prominent to me (although I've never had a female before).  Is this normal behavior/symptoms for simply being at the end of her first heat cycle?  I certainly don't want a dog that shows any signs of aggression, as I have children.  I also wondered if these were signs of pregnancy.  

Answer
I would gather up any medical records you have for her, and take her to the vet.  The vet won't be able to tell if she is pregnant, but may be able to tell if she mated.  The vet can also check for injury from an unplanned mating and possible infection.  I am not sure I would trust the people you got her from to have given her the medical care she needed.  

As for the behavior, almost anything might be expected at this point, including a false pregnancy.  It will be a month before the vet or other experienced person can sort one out from a real one.  Unfortunately, although Goldens are known for their fine temperament, no breed is safe from poor breeding and early socialization.  

Start an obedience program.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm  Be sure and follow the link to the page on dogs and children.