menstrual cycle for mini schnauzer

Question
I have a mini schnauzer and on July 10, 2009 she started her menstrual cycle. I have a 6 year old and during this time I allow her to wear panty liners and extra small toddler panties. How long do I have to keep her in these panties??? I don't know how long this process should last.  My son is EAGER to play with her but for sanitary reasons I usually don't allow him to do so.  The other night I went to change her and I noticed she was wet.  She urinated and I didn't pick up on the signal that she had to go.  Sometimes she is not persistent on letting me know she has to go if she has an emergency outside of her designated time to potty.  PLEASE HELP!!!  she is 4 years old.

Answer
Most bitches are in season for three weeks. Because I have boys here, I keep my bitches confined for four weeks so that they are not pestered when they are first released from the kitchen.

Some bitches have a lessened discharge after about two weeks, but others continue bleeding to the very end. If you don't keep the bitch confined in a kitchen or other "safe" and easy-to-clean area, then you are probably better off keeping her in her britches for the full three weeks. You might also want to let her out a bit more often as some bitches in season start "marking" to let the boys in the area know that they are available. Better to have that done outside than in.

Since you and your son are having difficulties with this, I would suggest that you have your dog spayed in a few weeks.