Ummm... Shelby's already in heat?? - Page 1

So 2 days ago, I'm playing with Shelby in our house (we have tile floors) when I see spots of blood falling from her. Well, to my shock, guess where the blood was coming from from my 5 and a half month old girl.... 
The day after, there really wasn't much, and today I haven't seen any on the floor or coming from her. Soooo... was that the beginning of her first heat, or could it be something else? I do have to say, our neighbors in tact dogs seem to have noticed something going on over here, because when I took her for a walk that first day (haven't since- just in case) they were freaking out. Would it be normal to have just 2 days of blood and then nothing? Her behavior hasn't changed much, except that she is a little more attentive than normal (not in terms of training but as in I'll move my foot, and she becomes instantly alert; the neighbors doorbell rings and she's up barking at our front door; she hears a dog barking down the street and she will sit at sliding glass door staring outside). She never really cared about any of that stuff, especially the dog barking- that would never phase her at all. 
So... help?  Normal heat stuff, or no?

Sounds normal. Could be that she's not bleeding much for her first heat. Some females just do a bit of spotting and some go full blown massacre. It's a little of the "early" side but not by much if 6 months is normal the 5.5 is within reason. As the dog matures they take notice of more and more things that might affect them. Sounds like she's developing as a normal dog. Just keep the boys at bay and don't let anything around he for at least a month in case she pulls a "Silent heat" where they don't show many signs.
Dog underwear are handy about now.
Fry

Thanks Fry!!! I'm glad to hear that having so little blood is within normal. She's still so little, which was why I was so surprised that she already went into heat, though I guess it's not size dependent. I was just hoping she'd be a little older 

I would rather be safe than sorry and have her urine checked to make sure she doesn't have a UTI.
I've never had a pup come into heat before 8 months.

The youngest for one of my females was 4 1/2 months; the average 6 to 7 months.

Interesting,
The puppies I've kept and raised - 8 thru 14 months for first is what I've experienced.
With a male dog around it's obvious when they're coming into heat.
 

The bitches I've all had didn't come in until a year, or just shortly after

check to see if she is swallon , then you will kniow if its a heat , yes the norm is 6-9 months but some do go sooner or later and alot of first time cycles you many not see much at all , all normal to me. i have a puppy at 5 months but dont think it will be till atleast 9 months well i hope any way. oh and i will say if its a split cycle it can be 2 months before they come back in , i have had alot of experience with split cycles., they suck.

good luck with your pup and yes dif keep her away from other males.

Some bitches can also come into a short false heat and then come back into a normal heat a few weeks later too.

I've never had to deal with it until I brought home my DDR line female.  She went into heat at 9 months and exactly 4 months to the day has just started her 2nd heat cycle yesterday.  I wasn't expecting the 2nd heat cycle for another 3-4 months.  Terrible timing as I have a business trip planned and obviously she can't be boarded.  Thankfully, my friend is a stay at home mom and she'll be residing down there for a few days...panties and all.