[Newport]

I am not prepared for Violet's first heat. As in, I've never experienced a bitch in heat as an adult and I have no supplies. Violet is a mini in case there are size differences in what works best. I want to have something on hand when it happens. FYI, we are planning on one heat for development, then a spay after 14 months per breeder instructions. Anyone have a favorite way of covering up your girl during their heat cycle?

Is it worth it to invest in the Pants for Dogs poodle thong? The pros appear to be less fabric to annoy the dog and mat the coat, perhaps greater freedom of movement, and perhaps she would leave it on if its more comfortable. Big negative is cost, a whopping $25 for one. They are cute and silly looking at the same time.

Or is this just crazy talk, and I should go straight away to Goodwill and pick up boy underwear and call it good??

The middle of the road option is at Amazon. Several (bulkier than the thong) options, with a average cost of three for <$20.

I know there is also the disposable dog diapers and the cut-a-hole in a baby diaper or pull up options. I am overly familiar with disposable diapers- and they just don't seem comfy to me. I think Violet would just tear them up/off.

Anything I buy I would keep. You never know when incontinence or some other problem requiring underwear might become an issue, or another puppy joins us.

So, any thoughts on what my dog would be most likely to tolerate? It is important that she wear something.

 

[Mufar42]

I had a female shih tzu and I used the little denim pants and a women this pad. Sometimes you hardly need anything depends on dog. They are easy to throw in wash too.

 

[Newport]

What are the little denim pants? I know nothing.

I hope I get lucky and there is hardly anything. You know what they say, hope for the best and plan for the worst!

 

[Mufar42]

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Then just put a pad inside (thin ones) and your good to go. I've never had a poodle in heat so not sure about their fur but if you remove it frequently and give a comb out, I would think it would be just fine.

 

[Starvt]

I've not had a female poodle, but with my mastiff, I bought some cloth panties and she chewed them up within a few days. Since then I have used nothing (we don't have carpet and dogs do not go on furniture- but a blanket covers the couch just in case). I actually found there was less odor and mess since they kept themselves clean- and even kept their beds clean too lol.
I don't know how long poodle hair would change things, but it seems like panties would trap the discharge and clump it into the fur?
That being said, a giant Schnauzer at my training class was wearing the thong type one and it did look fairly comfortable and the dog did not seem bothered by it.

 

[Starvt]

Oops just saw at the end of your post that she needs to wear something. My thought is boys boxers for general use, and consider getting a pair of the thong ones for specifically closely monitored use.
With boxers her tail can just go out the front flap which might help them stay on better too!

 

[EVpoodle]

Perhaps you could do what we did and use fabric baby diapers with a hole cut in the back for the tail. Evie did not seem to mind. Then use women's pads the thin ones.
Hope this helps.

 

[Eclipse]

Just google "female dog sanitary pants" and you will get plenty of options. Many local pet stores carry as well. I have Standards and I let them go through a heat before spaying and pexying. I got a couple pairs of pants in case one got soiled and I needed to wash it so I would still have a fresh one to put on - most of the pants are fairly inexpensive. I used sanitary napkins in them and changed as needed. Some dogs will bleed more than others, my second one bled heavier than my first. I do my own grooming and usually do FFT and sanitary every couple weeks, but while they were in season, I clipped them even shorter around the vulva so if I needed to wash them off it was easier, if you don't do your own grooming, you might want to have your groomer trim a little closer there.

 

[PeggyTheParti]

I bought toddler pull-ups for Peggy, who's (unexpectedly!) currently going through her first heat, and I don't recommend them. When you cut a hole for the tail, the absorbent "stuffing" starts coming out. And while she tolerates them fine once in place, they're impossible for me to get on her without help.

She seems extra sensitive at the moment about having her rear end messed with.

I also wouldn't trust her alone with them, but she doesn't wear anything while crated or in her pen.

If you do leave Violet alone with anything on, make sure it's not going to be dangerous if chewed on. But I think it's nice to give them some time to indulge their instinct to sniff, lick, and clean themselves.

 

[fjm]

Sophy's first season was rather messy but after that she learned to keep herself clean and I have to be really alert to spot the signs. Poppy only had two full blown seasons in nearly 10 years (she was spayed at 9 1/2) - she had silent heats, with little or no discharge, which I understand is not unusual in the junior female in a pack. Occasionally when necessary I have used the panties with a thin pad, and the dogs tolerated them well - it may be a good idea to accustom Violet to wearing them around the house ahead of her season, before she is feeling bothered and bewildered by overwhelming hormones, and while you have time to jolly her along with treats and games and build up the time wearing them gradually.

 

[PeggyTheParti]

I tried some small men's boxer briefs on Peggy today, just slipping her tail through the flap. Worked quite well to contain her light bleeding, but boy did she ever look silly.

I second the suggestion to try out some options before Violet's first heat. She'll be much more open to it, especially if treats are involved. Peggy's acting so funny: both extra skittish and extra clingy. Weird combo.

 

[Newport]

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. It sounds like spending a lot of money on a fancy thong for my dog might be over the top. Haha, I'm kind of disappointed about that. I'll get the Amazon pack of three for $18. Extra thanks for encouraging me to train her with them before she needs them. I like to think I would have thought of that, but so far I had not...

I'll be posting pics once available. I know you all will enjoy them. Maybe Vita will host a "dogs in underwear" contest. Could be hilarious!

 

[PeggyTheParti]

Peggy's rocking some size small men's briefs tonight. She preferred the toddler pull-ups, but these are much stretchier and easier to get on! My husband went out to JC Penney after dinner to buy them for her. ?

 

[Newport]

I guess one benefit of having a mini is that I could buy little boy underwear with cartoons on them if I wanted too. Star Wars underwear has its appeal.

This is what I'm considering for dog period panties, $15.95 for three! She might as well be adorable while on her period. I'll be honest, I looked but did not find a version with ruffles on the bottom.

 

[PeggyTheParti]

So cute! And so much easier to dress up a mini. I'd just gently lay Gracie down on her back like a baby and do whatever I needed to do. Peggy, on the other hand, is taking a little more effort. ? I've convinced her to stand relatively still, but she's trying a new thing now where she stiffens her back legs so I can't maneuver them into the holes.

Can't wait to see photos of little Violet in her florals.

 

[Newport]

Peggy, on the other hand, is taking a little more effort. ? I've convinced her to stand relatively still, but she's trying a new thing now where she stiffens her back legs so I can't maneuver them into the holes.

It sounds like a dog diaper/panty that wraps would be easier to apply. Are you sure you don't want to see Peggy in a thong???

 

[PeggyTheParti]

It sounds like a dog diaper/panty that wraps would be easier to apply. Are you sure you don't want to see Peggy in a thong???

?

She would truly be horrified.

Surprisingly, the Velcro-style diapers were harder for me to get on her. Perhaps I'm just hopelessly uncoordinated.

Today, at least, she seems to have resigned herself to standing still for whatever I choose to put on her. And then she waddles for a few minutes, putting on quite an exaggerated show of discomfort, until abruptly she seems to forget she's wearing them.

There's so much more blood than I was expecting. I wonder if that's a first heat thing.