Caring for a female dog during her first heat cycle can feel overwhelming for many pet parents. It takes patience, extra care, and some know-how to keep her comfortable while keeping your home clean.

Unspayed female dogs can have their first heat cycle anywhere between 6 and 15 months of age. During heat, which happens every six months or so and lasts a few weeks, your dog can get pregnant.

Nearly as important as a mare having a foal is getting her bred back to have next year’s baby. Breeding on foal heat is an old management strategy aimed at doing just that. It is the first heat cycle ...