Pros and Cons Of Spaying

If car travel is impossible, walk her to a corner lot a block or two away for her duties but let her wear the neat sanitary pants that are available for bitches in season, or make your own contraption. With or without pants, apply one of the commercial liquids supposed to keep male dogs away, or use plain citronella or smear mentholated salve around her rear end. These products are very useful to dis­guise the oestrual odor but they will not prevent a male dog from breeding your bitch. There are some dogs which would breed a bitch even if she were standing in a tubful of re­pellent lotion. Besides, when your bitch wants to accept a male she will let him know quite plainly that she is ready and he will forget citronella. If this still seems like too much trouble, you can usually find a good boarding kennel where she can be lodged.

If your bitch is kenneled outdoors within a wire enclosure, make sure it is "Romeo" proof and escape-proof and keep her there during her entire period. If you take her out for field exercise carry her to and from the kennel and your car.

One thing more. It is your fault if you allow your bitch to advertise her condition. Don't blame the neighbors if their dogs sit on your doorstep, and it is cruel to beat off the dogs. They can't help their natural instincts.