Female dogs will start to show signs of estrus between seven months to around a year old and owners will notice different types of dog behavior during this cycle. A female of a small or medium sized breed tends to come into heat (estrus), younger than a female of a large or giant breed, although there are individual differences. Regardless of the exact month the female will first come into heat, it is important for owners to understand the changes in dog behavior they will see and plan how to handle the situation.

Stages of Estrus

There are three distinct phases or stages to dog behavior during the estrus cycle. Females will come into heat one or two times per year, often in the spring and in the late summer or fall, however each individual dog will have her own cycle. The different stages may bring about more aggression, more submission and more abnormal behaviors, especially if owners are not aware of what is going on. The general female dog behaviors that are noted in the three stages include:

• Proestrus
  Literally the pre-estrus stage. This can last from a few days to up to two weeks. During this stage the female will engage in dog behaviors that include frequent urination, licking of the genitals, clear discharge then a somewhat bloody discharge, increased need for attention and increased attention in other dogs, both male and female. If other intact females are in the same area, your female dog may begin to be more aggressive towards the females but more playful towards neutered or intact males. Some females become very submissive in this stage and may need to be isolated from other more aggressive females and males.
• Estrus
  This is the stage where the female dog behavior will often become the most dramatic in its differences. She will be more aggressive towards females and possibly even males that are trying to mount her. There will be a stop to the discharge, however the vulva will remain swollen and she will continue to lick the area. During this time the female is actively trying to be bred so she will attempt to escape, become very excited around male dogs and present herself for breeding to males that she is interested in. She may become slightly more aggressive towards her owners, particularly over grooming, possessions and food. Generally children should not be left unsupervised with females in this stage, which lasts up to 8 days, as she is more likely to snap or become possessive. If males are present they may also respond much more aggressively at this time.
• Diestrus
  The last actual stage of the estrus cycle, this is where the female adjusts either to a pregnancy or to the fact she is not pregnant. Even a female that has not been bred may exhibit the same dog behavior as a pregnant female including swollen milk glands and nipples, depressed behavior and even "nesting" with her toys. She may need lots of attention or may want to be by herself more than usual. This is called false pregnancy and you should have her checked by the vet if she becomes despondent or there are any dramatic changes from her normal dog behavior.

Finally, after 6-10 weeks the diestrus stage will be over. At this point her hormonal system basically shuts down for about 4 months or more, after which she will enter into proestrus again.

Talk to other owners, breeders and your vet or do some research to prepare yourself for the changes you will see in your female as she matures. If you want to avoid dealing with these issues and help your female stay healthy, have her spayed prior to her first estrus cycle. Most vets recommend spaying anytime after six months of age. Keep in mind that female dog behavior in estrus is like any other type of dog behavior, it will be expressed differently between each dog and each breed.

Breeding dogs is becoming a new economy of the United States, looking as if it were “easy money” at a stay-at-home job for people who know very little about dogs. People who breed puppies for easy money usually pay little attention to the morals of breeding puppies. In other words, they consider breeding puppies a quick way to make money with very little work.

For those who are serious about their dogs and want to improve their bloodlines – two questions need to be asked:

•    Why should I breed?
•    When should I breed?

The backyard breeders and puppy mills pay little attention to these two questions, breeding again and again, until the female dams drop from exhaustion, giving out emotionally and physically. But on the other hand, good breeders spend hours upon hours raising high quality dogs only to sell them to someone who has the ability to neglect them, abandon them, or abuse them. The morals of breeding puppies need to be questioned by both breeders and their purchasers, as good quality puppies are anything but easy money.

Why Should I Breed?

When most people begin breeding dogs, many questions that should be asked are not. The reason they are not asked is that most who are breeding puppies do not know to ask them. Knowing what to ask breeders about their dogs and why they are selling them as well as what questions to ask of potential owners of puppies are very important.

There are many cases of situations where a valuable and beautiful puppy is sold to a “caring, wonderful, and sweet” person who really wants the puppy. Less than a year later, these same dogs are found placed in a shelter, full of heartworms, abused to the point of certain death, and neglected enough to make you cry. Often if not for a worker at the shelter who takes the puppy under his or her wing, paying huge amounts of money for its medical bills … the dog would be dead today. Yet, pet owners are not held responsible for situations such as these. Often the original breeder that is in the business of breeding dogs is blamed for the puppy's situation, which may not be an accurate picture of the event.

In situations such as this, are breeders the only ones who are held responsible for the morals of breeding puppies? So the question, “Why should I breed?” needs to be sincerely thought about before you breed dogs or puppies, meanwhile reflecting honestly on the morals of breeding puppies. The world is full of unwanted puppies, so if you have something special to offer to the world, think about the type of people who want your puppy. 

When Should I Breed?

The next question, “When should I breed?” adds another point to the questions about the moral of breeding puppies. On the other side of the fence, away from breeders and buyers, are society’s “little finger pointers.” We all know who they are – they blame the overabundance of dogs in shelters and humane societies on the breeders alone, who of course do nothing but sit around and breed puppies. And to be fair – some do that very thing.

In reality not only are there breeders to blame, but consider the fact that irresponsible dog owners are also to blame, especially those who do not properly care for their pets. They get them when they are young and cute, and then out the door they go, due to lack of training, abusive home lives, moving, children, and any reason that can be given in order to get them out of the home. But not long after that, another helpless little puppy comes into that very same home.

The morals and values involved in breeding dogs, selling puppies and getting into the breeding business need to be assessed by each individual. This is not just a money making scheme, animal's lives depend on your judgment and good sense both in breeding dogs and taking care of puppies properly.

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Finding the right toys for your new puppy is important and the best toys for puppies may be different than toys for dogs. This is largely due to the size difference between a puppy and a fully mature dog, but is also somewhat related to the activity levels of puppies and dogs. Puppies, at least in most breeds, will be more active chewers than adult dogs, particularly around teething time at three to five months. Some breeds, however, will stay active chewers all their life and these dogs will need durable, strong and safe toys for puppies as well as toys for dogs.

Safe Toys For Puppies

The key factor in selecting toys for puppies should be the safety factor. Children's toys are not acceptable as toys for puppies since they have too many loose parts or accessories or pieces that can easily come off and pose serious choking and splintering problems. These sharp pieces of plastic can easily cut the inside of a puppy's mouth, throat, esophagus and even perforate the stomach, intestines or bowels. They can also lodge in the puppy's teeth and cause painful lesions on the gums. Toys for dogs should also be likewise considered for safety factors.

Some suggestions for safe toys include:

• Kong toys of the correct size for your puppy.
• Nylabones given to the dog when the owner is present to supervise
• Dog quality stuffed toys that have no easy to dislodge pieces or parts
• Rubber toys
• Durable made for dog use balls of different sizes
• Heavy rope toys that cannot be pulled apart into strings
• Rubber, heavy canvas or nylon teething rings that can be filled with water and frozen

Toys To Avoid

There are a great number of toys for dogs and toys for puppies that owners need to keep well out of reach of their pets. These toys are either too small and may easily be swallowed whole, causing choking risk to the dog, or are actually edible toys that can cause serious health risks for both puppies and dogs.

Perhaps the most widely sold toys to avoid that are found in almost every pet store, department store and feed store are rawhide toys of any type. Rawhide poses risks because:

• It is edible but not digestible, resulting in intestinal blockages
• It swells in the digestive system and can cause choking
• It may contain pesticides, poisons, growth hormones, chemicals or medicines
• Dogs see it as food, not a toy

There are some of the more expensive types of rawhide toys that are made from shredded rawhide that is then pressed together using a gelatin like glue to make bones and toys. This is safer than the large pieces of animal hide that is made into toys of various shapes, however it is still not recommended in any form as toys for puppies or toys for dogs.

When prospective new owners are thinking about different breeds of puppies, it is important to look at what the average puppy behavior is for that breed, plus what the strengths are for the breed once it matures. This is an essential component of selecting a dog breed or type that is going to suit your family, activity level and your desires for your interaction with your canine companion.

Activity and Playfulness

Puppies, regardless of the breed, are typically going to be more active, more mischevious and more challenging to deal with that mature, well socialized and well trained dogs. However some breeds stay puppy-like in their behavior much longer than others. Understanding how much time you have to invest in training including housebreaking and obedience training is essential when you are selecting a dog breed. While activity may be considered one of a puppy's strengths, if you live in a small apartment or don't want to have to walk the dog multiples times a day these breeds won't be a good combination with your lifestyle.

Activity is not always related to the size of the dog. For example a small Jack Russell Terrier is much more active and requires more frequent exercise than a huge Mastiff. An Irish Wolfhound, on the other hand, needs to have room to roam but doesn't need a lot of structured exercise time while a Bassett hound needs to be routinely walked to avoid turning into a couch potato.

Puppy Abilities and Working Traits

One of the other major considerations is what you want the puppy to be able to do or achieve when he or she is mature. If you want a hunting dog, a Labrador, Golden Retriever, Springer Spaniel or Pointer breed is a good match, however not if you want a guard dog. Good breeds for guard dogs would include German Shepherds, Anatolian Shepherds, Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers to name just a few. Herding dogs would include Border Collies, Corgis and Sheepdogs. Some breeds can cross over groups, however they will also have the strengths of each group that will influence both their puppy behavior and their adult traits and abilities. Mixed breed or hybrid dogs will have greater variation than purebreds in most cases.

Individual Puppy Strengths

Besides the puppy behavior and adult dog behavior within a specific breed, puppies will each have their own strengths and character traits that are uniquely their own. This may include the tendency to be fearless, bold and brave or the puppy that is constantly acting silly and clowning around. Some puppies may also be more curious and thoughtful, which can be strengths for dogs that are going to be trained in obedience and competitions.

Watching puppies interact with people, their littermates and their mother will help you determine both their strengths and what you can expect with regards to their puppy behavior.

Taking care of a puppy, especially a new puppy to your house requires a bit of getting used to. Puppy behavior may often seem to be illogical or rather random, however if you stop to think like a puppy you will typically find that it all makes sense.

Preparing For A New Puppy

One of the most important tasks you have as the owner of a new puppy is to actually take the time, before the puppy gets there, to puppy proof your house. You don't need to do the whole house; just the areas were the puppy will have free roam and access. Some of the key components to check for safety are:

• Electrical outlets that are not used need to be covered. Puppies often lick at the outlets, causing life threatening electrical shock.

• Electrical cords that are plugged into the wall may seem like dandy toys and chew items for a puppy, after all they look just like branches off a tree. Either plug things in and move furniture the puppy cannot get behind or under in front of the sockets or only plug in when in use then unplug and cover the outlet.

• Take all dangly items like tablecloths, curtains, pull cords for blinds or tassels that hang from curtains or furniture off. They are very appealing to a little puppy as part of puppy behavior is mouthing everything, which may result in pulling these items down on top of the puppy or getting caught in the cords, risking the chance of strangulation.

• Pick up all strings, threads and similar items from the furniture, especially the upholstered items. Often these cords and strings are on the underside, so you will have to either turn the item over or get down on your hands and knees and look underneath. These strings and threads pose a serious choking threat plus they can also cause digestive blockages.

Remove anything from the rooms your new puppy will be in that you really love and would be heartbroken if they are damaged or destroyed. Puppies don't even chew up your favorite shoes to get back at you for being left alone, but sometimes it may seem that way.

Your Yard and a Puppy

Your new puppy will need time outside in your yard, so there are a few simple puppy proofing ideas you can use to work with natural puppy behavior. The first one is to choose an area where you want the puppy to toilet, then keep bringing the puppy there and providing rewards. Soon he or she will know just where to go!

Other issues to make your yard safe for your puppy include:

• Have a secure, well made fence that keeps your puppy in and other dogs out.

• Use a locking gate latch that cannot accidentally pop open if the puppy jumps up.

• Check all plants in the yard to make sure they are non-toxic for dogs.

• Pick up all waste material on a frequent, routine basis.

• Remove any bones, toys or objects that may cause choking or splintering risks.

The key is to think like a puppy before bringing home your new puppy. Look at how the puppy behaviors will play out in the environment and ensure it is a safe place for your new addition to the family.

Although most owners want to spend as much time with their puppy as possible, there will be times that you have to leave them alone. Puppy crate training provides an ideal option to prevent some of the more destructive types of puppy behavior that often occur when puppies become bored or are left unsupervised.

Crate Training And Problem Prevention

Crate training you puppy starts with getting your puppy to understand the crate is a relaxing and calm place to be that is positive. Most puppies, and dogs for that matter, naturally want to have their own space, similar to a den or an enclosed area. Crate training just standardizes this spot and makes it truly the puppy's own. By teaching your puppy to stay relaxed in the crate while you are gone for short periods of time you will:

• Help with toilet training issues as the puppy is less likely to soil in their crate than in a remote area of the room or house.
• Prevent the puppy from chewing on things he or she should not be. This is a typical puppy behavior that is very frustrating and expensive for the owner.
• Provide security and comfort for the puppy since he or she is in a familiar and comfortable space.
• Decrease worry on the part of the owner as to what the puppy may be getting into or doing.
• Prevents injury to the puppy if they eat something, chew something or even get into spaces that they shouldn't be while unsupervised.

Tips for Crate Training Your Puppy

Some of the key issues that owners that are using puppy crate training routines need to focus on include:

• Gradually work up to leaving the puppy alone for longer periods of time. Never start out by leaving the puppy in the crate for more than a few minutes to avoid problems such as barking, whining and anxiety issues.
• Keep in mind that while in the crate the puppy may need to use the bathroom, don't punish if he or she has soiled the crate, just carefully monitor their routines and avoid feeding immediately before you are leaving. You also need to check as you may be leaving the puppy alone for too long, expecting too much from the puppy.
• Never leave the puppy in the crate for long periods of time. Since what is long to a puppy will differ depending on their age and adjustment to the crate, be very careful in increasing time in the crate.

• Reward the puppy for being in the crate by adding a few safe toys, some treats and keep the crate in an area of the house that the puppy can still see what is going on.

There are many terrific books on puppy crate training and puppy behavior that can help you and your puppy in being successful in crate training. Once your puppy is comfortable with the crate, you can leave the house and rest assured that everything will be safe and your puppy will be out of mischief while you are away.