How to Keep Both Dogs Safe While Mating Them

Co-authored by Tom Robertson

Last Updated: April 13, 2022

When dog breeding is conducted with care, it can be a joyous and fruitful event. However, mating your dogs is a somewhat complicated process that comes with a set of risks. By taking some time to prepare your dogs, facilitating the mating event, and working to prevent injury during the inevitable “breeding tie,” you can ensure the safety of your dogs.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Preparing the Dogs

1
Make sure both dogs are the right age. Before mating your dogs, it is important to wait until both dogs have reached maturity. In fact, although most dogs become mature during the first year and a half of life, waiting until both dogs are at least 2 years old can further ensure their health and safety. This is especially true for dams (female dogs), who should not be bred until at least their third heat cycle. Additionally, you should ensure that neither dog is too old for breeding.^{[1]
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- Large dog breeds are considered mature at 18-24 months.
- Medium-sized breeds are considered mature at 15-18 months.
- Small dog breeds are considered mature at 12-18 months.
- Studs (male dogs) can continue breeding until they are roughly 10 years of age.
- Dams should no longer breed once they reach 5.
2
Ensure the overall health of your dam. It is particularly crucial for you make sure that your dam is healthy enough to withstand mating, pregnancy, and birth. At least one month before mating, your dam should have a “pre-breeding” evaluation by a vet. All of her vaccinations should be current and she should be free of parasites.^{[2]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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- Your dam must be the correct weight for her age and height.
- Additionally, your vet can screen for any other health problems that may complicate a pregnancy.
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3
Ensure the overall health of your stud. Although it is not quite as crucial, it is also a great idea to have your stud evaluated by a vet.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Tom Robertson
Dog Breeding Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.} Your vet can check for any anatomical defects, signs of low sperm, and/or infection of the reproductive organs, which could make it difficult or dangerous to breed. Your vet can also determine the overall health of your stud and confirm that he is up to the task.^{[4]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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4
Groom both dogs. Immediately prior to mating, both dogs should be thoroughly bathed. In particular, their genitals should be clean (which reduces risk of infection) and any excess fur should be trimmed (which enables proper entry).^{[5]
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Tom Robertson
Dog Breeding Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.}
- Fur around your stud’s sheath and penis should be trimmed away.^{[7]
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  Tom Robertson
  Dog Breeding Specialist
  Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.}
- Fur around your dam’s vulva should be trimmed.^{[8]
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  Tom Robertson
  Dog Breeding Specialist
  Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.}
5
Track your dam’s heat cycle. The number one factor is facilitating a safe and successful mating session, it to select the proper time. In order to do this, you must understand your dam’s heat cycle. Your dam should go into heat roughly every 6 months, beginning around one year old. Look for signs of heat in your dam, and take detailed notes. You should watch and track her behavior for at least two heat cycles before you consider breeding.^{[9]
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- During the first 1-7 days, your dam will exhibit a swollen vulva and some bleeding.^{[10]
  X
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  Tom Robertson
  Dog Breeding Specialist
  Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.} Male dogs may pay more attention to her, but she will not accept a mate.
- During the next 7 days, her bleeding will slow and she will be willing to accept mates.
- During the last days of her heat cycle, she will no longer accept mates. This cycle usually last 21 days, but it can be shorter for some dogs.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Facilitating the Mating Process

1
Choose the right time. Once you have an understanding of your dam's cycle, you should be able to predict both when she will be in heat, as well as which days will be best for mating. In general, the ninth or tenth day of your dam’s heat cycle is considered the best time to breed.^{[11]
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- To maximize the possibility of conception, you may want to mate the dogs several times between seventh and fourteenth days of her cycle.
- To ensure the dog’s health and safety, they should only mate once per day.
2
Create a calm space. When it is time to mate your dogs, you must essentially place them together in an enclosed space and wait patiently. This will be safest and most effective if the space is comfortable and calm. Loud noises, people coming in or out, and other distractions may scare the dogs and interfere with their mating. Place the dogs someplace quiet, where they are not likely to be disturbed.^{[12]
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Tom Robertson
Dog Breeding Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.}
- The mating process can take several hours.
- Ensure that the space can remain calm and quiet for that length.
- Make sure that they are separated from other dogs, too.^{[14]
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  Tom Robertson
  Dog Breeding Specialist
  Expert Interview. 5 April 2022.}
3
Stay present. Rather than leaving the dogs alone, you must stay present to ensure their safety. Simply sit back, be patient, and allow the dogs to do their thing, but be prepared to calm them down if they should become nervous or agitated. If you have never done this before, you may choose to have a professional breeder present.^{[15]
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- If the dogs begin to fight, you may need to intervene.
- You can usually end a dog altercation by making a loud noise, or spraying them with water.
- If you must physically separate them, try yanking at their tails or hind legs. Do this carefully and only if absolutely necessary.
- If your dog simply needs to be calmed down, you can try petting them, brushing their fur, and praising them.
4
Help with positioning. In general, you should not interfere with the mating process. However, there is one exception. If the dam has permitted the stud to examine her and mount her, but one or both animals is struggling with positioning, you may step in to assist. Simply help to position the stud so that he is balanced on her backside and lined up for insertion.^{[16]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Injury During a Breeding Tie

1
Learn about the “breeding tie.” When canines mate, the male's penis swells while the female's vulva contracts. This results in the animals being “tied” together in what is known as “breeding tie” or “copulatory tie.” This is a natural part of the mating process that should not be interfered with. The animals will remain locked together for anywhere from two minutes to one hour, but the average time is closer to 20 minutes.^{[17]
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2
Do not attempt to separate! Is it very important that you do not try to separate the dogs! Do not try to use ice to reduce swelling, or attempt to pry to dogs apart. This can be dangerous to both dogs, but especially your stud. Pulling them apart can cause severe injuries to your stud’s penis making it difficult for him to mate again.^{[18]
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3
Keep the dogs calm. In most cases, the stud will stand calmly. The dam, however, is prone panicking and trying to get away. This can injure your stud (especially if the dam is larger), so you must get down on the floor and pet your dam and keep her calm. You know your dog best! You can pet her, brush her, offer her praise, and/or do any action or activity known to keep your dam at ease. After an average of 20 minutes (possibly up to one hour), the dogs will separate naturally.^{[19]
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