Question on bitch in heat - Page 2

I will try some of the advices you guys gave me. Thank you so much for your help.

Progesterone testing is the best way to calculate the exact date of breeding.  Proestrus  can last different time frames in each femae.  Even though she is standing and flagging does not mean she is ready to be breed.  I have had several females stand and flag and they had a progesterone level of .5!   So  the best method is progesterone timing,  even with three very experienced stud dogs here I still use the progesterone tests to know the day of ovulation.  The ideal breeding time is two days after they go over 5.  If a madien female will not tolerate a natural breeding I would do a surgical insemination.  This is a very good way to insure the female has sperm exactly where it needs to be and on the day it needs to be there.  It will also give you the chance to make sure the male is fertile by checking the collection of the male you intend to use.  She may be more willing after having a litter.  I have found that on many occasion.  Another thing to have checked out is the possiblity of a vaginal stricture.

Chin  A couple of things if  I may.

First - throw out the book re timing. GSDs never read it. I've known bitches ready on the 7th day and others on the 25th day.

Second -I hate to tell MI but like does matter. It also has a biological basis - research has shown the pheromes (sp?) - the scent wh/ attracts - is related to finding a mate with a complementary immune system. So pay attention to likes and dislikes. Is you male closely related ( similar linebreeding) to your bitch? Try a different dog and perhaps one with an open pedigree to your bitch. Plus from someone who's been around a very long time - like also matters because the best pups seem to come out of those "love" matches.

Third do you have another dominant bitch by any chance? I have seen wolf like behavior where the subordinate bitches do not show active breeding behavior until the dominant bitch has been spayed or died. If this is the situation you may want to board one or the other  someplace else for awhile before the bitch is due into heat.

Fourth - get her vet checked and make sure no medical problesm. Four for sure to check out 1. make sure she does not have a stricture and 2. If you have not had the hips checked do - if they are bad the pressure of the male could cause her pain and thus the reluctance to stand 3. For infections and mycoplasma and 4. Thyroid ( get the TSH test only reliable one). Low libido can be a sign of a thyroid problem.

Finally just IMHO do not use a breeding stand or have people hold her down. A little help for novice dogs is one thing but beyond that you are missing the point that first and foremost a dog must have breeding vigor. Reproductive traits are very highly inheritable. If the dog chooses not breed there is a message there that we need to pay attention to. It is a trait that does not improve with time or generations.  Good luck.