Female Dog Behavior

A female dog that is not spayed will go through a heat cycle every six to eight months. This is a period that tests the mettle of a female dog owner. Not only is the female dog, or "bitch" as referred to in canine breeding terms, extremely needy, but she is also highly difficult to calm. Her natural desire to breed overrides any other inclinations, and she will remain unsettled until she gets some action or the three weeks of her great willingness is concluded. Female dogs in heat become escape artists looking to mate and also are magnets for every other male dog in the smelling vicinity. She will readily thrust her hindquarters in the face of any male dog approaching her, thus making the daily neighborhood walk a potentially embarrassing event for her owners.

This is another naturally-occuring behavior most often associated with male dogs. However, females -- including those spayed -- are just as likely to lick their genitals to please themselves. They have no shame in this and are quite likely to engage in this behavior publicly.

In biological terms, a female dog's job is to produce puppies. Even when an intact female has not mated, her body can mimic pregnancy. Symptoms include a swelling of the breasts, a leaking of milk, bloating in her belly and nesting behaviors including placing favorite toys in her bed. A female dog experiencing a false pregnancy is a confused animal and is more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors.

In general, girl dogs just don't like other girl dogs. Whether it is a threat to mating potential or a natural protection of their own ability to conceive and raise puppies, female dogs that have not been spayed rarely make happy housemates. They are overtly aggressive to each other and to the offspring of their rivals.