Why Do Dogs Cry When Mating

Individuals new to dog breeding may be unfamiliar with some of the behaviors that occur during these times. It can be fairly unsettling to an individual to witness their wonderful pet seem like they're in pain during mating. If you’re an owner that’s just getting into the breeding industry, the whole series of events can truly be overwhelming. And while whining during dog mating can be a very common thing, it is something to keep aware of to ensure your dogs health. So, what do all these strange noises mean in regards to your dog’s happiness? Should you be concerned for your canine’s well-being?

When a female dog goes into heat, it's called "estrus." When this occurs, you'll notice the female will begin sniffing male dogs. You might also see her "presenting." What this means is that the female canine will turn around and present her rear quarters, while pointing her tail to one side. This is specifically designed to get the male's attention. Other behaviors meant for this are things like the female laying her head on the back of a male dog while pawing at him. She may even try mounting the male dog as a way to bring attention to her condition. The next step with having a female dog in heat is what happens when she encounters what professionals refer to as a "sexually intact" male canine. At first meeting, you'll likely notice the male dog slowly approaching. He may sniff and lick her as a way to gauge her reactions and receptiveness. If turned down, the male will often back off and try again another time. 

Hardly ever will you see a male dog fight with a female regarding the ability to mate. When the female dog is prepared, she will do as stated above, point her tail and present her hindquarters to the male dog. After this happens, a very interesting third step occurs after the male dog has begun his attempts at mounting the female. What happens is commonly referred to as "the tie." When a male dogs penis enters a female dog's vagina, the front facing bulb on the male's penis enlarges rather dramatically. Once the male is fully engorged, the dogs are essentially "tied" together until copulation is complete. At this point, you will see the male dog turn around until the dogs are standing back to back. This final phase of dog mating can last up to 60 minutes, during which time the dog ejaculates many times.

In perfect situations, all of this occurs without any pain or discomfort for your female dog. However sometimes there can be variances in mating tendencies, and this can have a direct impact on how your dog behaves. She might try to pull away from the male during the tie. This can result in fairly severe injuries to the male dog, sometimes even necessitating surgery. Additionally, the barking, howling, or other negative behaviors that your female might show can truly traumatize a male dog. 

Sometimes, it can be so severe that they more or less become celibate, and unable to mate again. Because of this, a lot of professional dog breeders will keep the two animals on their lap while they're tied together. While this may seem like a strange thing to do during this "sensitive" period for your dogs, they depend on their humans for support regardless of why or when. When the male dog has finished with his ejaculation, the swelling in the bulb of his penis will eventually begin to lessen. During this time, you may notice one or both dogs cleaning themselves, which usually is a sign of general comfort after copulation. Take care to make sure that the dogs don’t start licking their sensitive areas compulsively post-mating, as this can actually end up injuring them.

So, what other motivators could be making your female dog cry during breeding? One possibility lies in the state of their reproductive health. Due to less than great breeding techniques over generations, some female dogs are very prone to tumors. If left unchecked, these can become quite large and painful. Naturally, when tumors occur in the areas of sexual reproduction, pain and discomfort will typically happen. Getting normal veterinarian checkups is crucial to avoiding this type of situation. More often than not, a female dog showing negative reactions to breeding happens if they have never experienced it before. While dogs contain powerful instincts, they can still be put off by new situations. Helping them feel safe is a great way to help them overcome these fears and flourish.

Breeding can be a confusing time for both owners and dogs alike. Make sure that you help your dog feel comfortable in new spaces and do your homework when it comes to new situations. If you do things right, you will have a litter of puppies as your reward. Nothing like a house full of playmates.