Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. No waiting for appointments or office hours. No high fees. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Male dogs tend to get a little bit crazy when a female dog is in heat. The male dog’s reactions are completely normal and natural; however, they can be challenging to manage. For instance, some male dogs cry when a female dog is in heat. But why?
Has your male dog been crying because a female dog’s in heat? Are you frustrated and wondering why he’s doing this? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand this can be a difficult time for you and your dog.
We’ve put together some information about why male dogs behave this way and what you can do to help your dog. Let’s get started!
Why Male Dogs Cry When a Female Dog’s in Heat
A female dog can go into heat up to four times a year, with each cycle lasting between 3 to 4 weeks. During her heat cycle, the female release pheromones and hormones. These chemicals have a scent that can easily be picked up by male dogs. The purpose of these scents is to attract a mate; in other words, to attract a male dog.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. No waiting for appointments or office hours. No high fees. No need to worry about your furry family member.
When male dogs pick up the scent of a female dog in heat, they will do anything and everything to try to see this female dog and mate. The male dog is driven to mate with this female dog. Male dogs have been known to travel as much as five miles to see a female dog in heat. The male will dig under and jump over fences and more. During this time, the male dog becomes something like Superman and Houdini combined!
It’s also during this time that a male dog may begin to cry or whine. The reason is due to the excitement caused by the female dog’s scent when she’s in heat. The male becomes very excited. Some males may become overly excited and cry, whine, bark, and shake.
How to Help Your Male Dog
It’s understandable that your male dog’s crying and whining can be disturbing and frustrating for you. However, this is a normal, natural part of canine mating. But there are some things you may be able to do to help your male dog calm down a little bit.
1. Keep the Dog on a Leash When Outside
When your male dog has to go potty, it may be best to go out with him. Make sure to keep him on the leash. When he’s done doing his business, immediately take him back inside again.
Keeping your dog on the leash when he’s out and limiting his time outside may help him calm down. He won’t be able to smell the female dog in heat as often or as much.
2. More Exercise
Exercise is great for dogs that are healthy, including male dogs wanting to visit a female dog in heat. The point of exercising your male dog more right now is to distract him and wear him out. If he’s tired out, your dog won’t have as much energy to whine and cry. He may also be a little calmer after the extra exercise.
Here, again, if you’re out with your dog, make sure to keep him on the leash at all times. And try to avoid walking by the home where the female dog is in heat.
3. Have Your Male Dog Neutered
Finally, a permanent solution is to have your male dog neutered. While a neutered dog may still respond to a female dog in heat, the dog usually doesn’t respond to the same level. He may still show interest, but he probably won’t cry, whine, or try to escape your home and yard.
These are the major ways you can help your male dog to stop crying when a female dog is in heat. Neutering your fur baby is probably the best way to help him get some relief. And it’s the best way to gain relief from your male dog’s behavior, too!
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!
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live Now