1st heat

Question
i am first time owner of my yorkie, she is about 9mos old and just started
showing signs of bleeding..how  long will this last? And will she bleed
continually all day and for how long? Should we keep her outside this whole
time? We have an appt scheduled June 30 to have her fixed.
This is also my first female dog. HELP!
Thank u
Marilyn

Answer
Mariln,

The heat usually lasts three weeks. The first week she will bleed bright red blood and it can be heavy.  The second week the discharge will turn to a milky pinkish color and be less heavy.  The third week she will not be bleeding but her pee pee will be swollen.  Between day 7 and 13 is when she can get pregnant so you should be very careful not to let any other dogs near her.

Keeping her outside is not an option.  Yorkies are house dogs and should not be kept outside for any extended period of time.  It would also be dangerous because a male dog can jump a fence and impregnate your female.  To prevent the bleeding from ruining your furniture and carpet you have a few options.  You could purchase a cage (not a crate because they are too small) and keep her in it.  You could confine her to a small space (like a bathroom) or you could purchase a doggie diaper from a pet store.  The doggie diapers come in disposable and ones that are reusable.

If you don't have a pet store nearby you can purchase newborn baby diapers and just cut a small hole in the diaper so her tail can stick out.