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When it comes to breeding dogs, some people are surprised to learn female dogs may refuse to mate. We’d like to start out by saying this is normal canine behavior. Female dogs may be choosy about the males they will mate with. And if a dog doesn’t want to mate, she should never be forced. Ever.
However, it’s also important to understand that there may be reasons a female dog doesn’t want to mate. These may go beyond not liking the male dog.
Does your female dog refuse to mate? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together information about what can cause a female dog not to mate and what you can do about this issue. Let’s get started.
Why Does a Female Dog Refuse to Mate?
Here are some of the most common reasons a female dog may refuse to mate:
1. Health Issues
Some health issues may cause a female dog not to be interested in mating. Some infections can even cause a female dog to become sterile. But a female may also have problems mating due to tumors and other diseases.
2. Not in Heat
Another possibility that may make a female dog not want to mate is because she’s not in heat. When she’s not in heat, it’s impossible for a female dog to become pregnant. Some females, when they’re not in heat, they’re not interested in mating.
3. Previous Litter Not Weaned
Has your female dog had a previous litter? Is she still nursing them? If so, your female dog may refuse to mate for this reason. She will not go into heat until her puppies are weaned. At this time, she’s completely focused on caring for her litter, not getting pregnant with another one.
4. Past Traumatic Experience
If your female dog has had a traumatic mating experience in the past, she may be completely against mating. She may have been hurt and traumatized by a male dog that was too aggressive, for instance. She may now be too afraid and insecure to mate.
5. She’s Not Mature
Another problem is that a female dog may be too young to breed. She may not have even had her first heat yet. In that case, she may refuse to mate. She doesn’t understand what’s happening and is not interested because she’s not yet mature enough to breed.
Summing It Up
If your dog refuses to mate, it’s a good idea to get her checked by the vet. Many times a medical condition may be the cause of her lack of interest. However, if a dog doesn’t want to mate, they should never be forced. Forcing a female dog to mate only causes hurt, trauma and fear. These are all negatives that can drastically affect a dog’s mental health and wellbeing.
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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