Q: Are underground fence systems cruel?

            A: Underground pet containment systems can be an effective and humane way to train pets to stay in their yards.  Even the Humane Society of the United States has endorsed this method of training.  When a quality system is installed properly and used appropriately, dogs and cats will rarely experience any discomfort.  It is true that if they challenge the system, they will get a correctional shock.  However, effective training will quickly teach pets not to cross the barrier.  After all, the intention of the system is to keep a pet safely contained. 

            It is important to choose a reputable system that is professionally installed.  These systems are much more likely to be properly grounded and much less likely to experience radio frequency errors that can randomly shock pets.  Also, there may be some benefit to receivers that use FM radio signals instead of AM (see www.dogwatch.com).  The system should not continually shock a pet if they do escape the yard.  The system should have the ability to vary the shock intensity to fit your pet’s personality and size.  Finally, the service you choose should provide a trainer to come work with you and your pet for the first day or two.  If you choose carefully, an underground fence may be a good way to balance freedom and safety for your pets.        

Q:  I have been having trouble breeding my dog.  How do I know when she is ready to breed?

            A:  Proper timing of breeding is a common stumbling point for many beginning dog breeders.  Many times, just placing a male and female together during heat will result in a successful breeding.  However, it is often not that easy.  Sometimes an inexperienced male may have been intimidated by early rejections of the female.  Sometimes an inexperienced female will resist the male even during the fertile time.  In these circumstances, closely timing breeding attempts or using artificial insemination may be required.

            The first thing to realize is that every dog’s hormone and ovulation cycle is different from the next.  A “normal” bleeding heat can be anywhere from two to twenty-one days.  A “normal” standing heat can last another two to twenty-one days.  In other words, one normal dog may come in, go through, and finish their heat in four days while another may take six weeks.  Of course, the fertile period in either of these extremes may be difficult to catch. 

            The first step in timing a breeding is to have a veterinarian perform a series of vaginal cytology smears.  Using a long cotton-tipped swab, a few cells are rubbed off the vaginal wall.  The doctor will look under a microscope and watch the cells change as ovulation nears.  Usually this is performed every 2 to 5 days, depending on the stage of the heat cycle.  See your veterinarian at the first sign your dog is coming into heat for an initial smear and recommendations for follow-up visits. 

            As ovulation nears, the veterinarian will want to draw blood samples every day or two to watch hormone levels.  The most fertile time to breed is two to four days after ovulation.  The most easily measured hormone to detect ovulation is progesterone.  After ovulation occurs, progesterone will rise drastically.  When measured every other day, this test will allow the veterinarian to determine the date of ovulation.  The first day that the progesterone rises above 5 mg/dL, the dogs should be bred.  A repeat breeding two days later will increase conception rates.

            If this level of testing does not result in conception, additional hormonal testing may be recommended.  For example, low thyroid levels significantly reduce conception rates.  In other cases, the cost and effort required to get a successful breeding may outweigh your desire to breed the particular dogs involved.