Expecting and Working....Yes or No???

[rottnluv]

I am curious to know the thoughts of others on this board regarding working a bitch who has been bred. For example, would you say it is appropriate to trial in novice obedience, novice rally or train in herding after a bitch has been bred? I'm not talking about late stages of pregnancy, but within the first 4 weeks after mating, and I'm not talking about advanced levels where jumping would be included. Is it okay to continue training in these venues after mating?

I'd like thoughts on this as well as whether any feels or has had the experience that it has had an negative impact on their bitch's pregnancy.

Is it okay to work our working bitches after mating, or do we whip out the satin pillow and prop up their feet?

Marina

[rottielover2004]

LOL, I do not know the correct answer so I will not try, but I do like the analogy you used

[Sharon Marples]

Originally Posted by rottnluv

Is it okay to work our working bitches after mating, or do we whip out the satin pillow and prop up their feet?

What a cute way to put it.

When our bitches are bred, nothing changes in their regular training or showing until they get to be around 5 - 6 weeks along. Up until then, we find that normal or trained exercise is very well suited to them and prepares them for whelping in the fact that it helps to keep their muscles in good shape.

We have done obedience, breed and agility up until week 7 depending on the bitch and how much she shows her pregnancy. Absolutly nothing is done with them after the end of week 6, just to keep up with daily walks, etc.

[BostonRott]

There is NO reason not to continue working a bitch after she is bred. The embryos do not even implant until 21 days, (week 3, the end of their first trimester) so there is no possible harm that could be done to a cell sack floating in space, not rapidly dividing/growing.

I have worked my bitches though their pregnancies, just as I worked myself though mine. I have trialed them in agility up to 5wks pregnant.

[Ann Felske-Jackman]

I agree with the opinions given. Life goes on as normal until pretty late in the pregnancy, or until mom tells me she wants her feet propped up on those pillows instead

I have found that a bitch who stays in good shape during the pregnancy has an easier whelping and tucks back up more quickly after the litter.

[observer]

I know nothing about this issue with dogs, but with horses, light exercise right up to the end has the same effects Ann listed.

So, put the satin pillow away for now.... the puppies can sleep on it later...or chew it up....

[TrishB]

I would say however that any 'new' sports should not be introduced during this time. This should be considered a maintenance time and not a time of change. i.e. introducing a bitch to herding during this time would not be recommended.

I believe the general rule of thumb is whatever she was doing before on a regular basis is okay after (up to 6 weeks).

[Eden]

Much like humans or other animals..it all depends on the woman or female..I have a cousin who played professional hockey during her first pregnancy..and then I know of women who were flat out from the moment conception happened...you got to know your dogs before you can answer this question and there is no real right or wrong answer...During my last litter, Gabi took to jumping and some new obedience tasks..things she had never attempted before..up until her last week she was still jumping 5 foot gates or hurdles..pups were born fine...

Please do not post links to breeder websites

Cheers

Eden

[rottnluv]

Thanks to everyone who has replied.

I have no doubt that my girl(s) (Jez now, and Oakley later) would prefer to keep active during pregnancy as that is how they live their daily life. I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't something that was frowned upon. Personally, I don't see a problem with it - but I've been known to be out in left field before

SO, a satin pillow I won't be buying (not just yet anyways). My girls will stay active, training & trialling!

Out of curiosity Trish - why do you say not to start something new? In case of stress on the bitch? What if she is a bitch who does NOT stress easily and enjoys doing new things? Still a "NO"?

Marina

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by rottnluv

Out of curiosity Trish - why do you say not to start something new? In case of stress on the bitch? What if she is a bitch who does NOT stress easily and enjoys doing new things? Still a "NO"?

Marina

It's just personal opinion, but I wouldn't introduce something new because it's an unknown. Being an unknown, it doesn't sit well with me. I know when I take Parker to herding - he's wired to the 9's. He LOVES it!! New muscles, new drives, new ways of moving.... I wouldn't want to risk injury / pulling tendons / stress / etc. of a pregnant bitch.

But if she's active and working in any venues right now, I see no reason not to continue.

Any 'new' introductions couldn't possibly be so important that they couldn't wait until after the pregnancy. I don't see any reason why it has to be 'right now', during pregnancy. If it has to be right now, then maybe breed on the next cycle.

Of course - I'm not a breeder. It's just my opinion - and everyone's got one of those...

[rottcrazed]

Geez Marina, I thought you were going to say YOU were prego!!!! HA HA HA HA!!!

I worked Jewel until she was 4 weeks prego, still did some tracking and scent discrimination for a while beyond that.

She continued her 1 - 1.5 hours a day walking right up until the last week of her pregnancy too.

I didn't trial her mind you, but I don't think that was for any other reason then she was not ready at the time, and it would have meant jumping in open which I was not sure about anyway.

Kristi

[RottsNScotts]

Maybe new low impact or mental things would keep an active bitch happy...

[fbkeays]

I second the part about not starting herding. Herding is a very active sport for the new dog vs novice obedience. If the dog was very experienced in herding, then go for it, but I wouldn't risk a pregnant bitch for an instinct test.
I have laid a passing TD track for a 6+ week pregnant aussie bitch who whelped 7 healthy pups. I think if the bitch was any more pregnant then the judges would have not allowed her to do the track.
Regular obedience and rally are not that taxing on the body and are fairly safe activities.

[targonrotts]

hailey did agility until her 5th week.
her great grandmother went camping one week before whelping 13 puppies.
life is the same...just see her comfort level.
work her within reason for her size after 5 weeks.
before that, life can be the same.
good luck!
you got good advice here going!

[rottnluv]

To clarify - it wouldn't be "risking the pregnancy for an instinct test". Jez already has her HIC I am in the process of setting up private herding lessons and wanted to know if I should wait until after the pups were born before I started, or if I could start now and continue through the beginning of the pregnancy. Keep in mind - she shouldn't be ready to be bred until the end of March/beginning of April.

Ummmm, Kristi (honey)....you are coming out with some not so funny comments lately...lmao! First it was, "just think, maybe you'll have to travel to Red Deer the weekend of the Specialty" and now I'm preggers!! You've got one warped sense of humour girlie!!!