Why Do Dogs Get Stuck When they Mate? (Vet Advice)

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Dr. Linda Simon is a veterinary surgeon working with seven years of experience. She is a fellow of the British Veterinary Association and specializing in animal medicine. Also, she has been the Woman magazine resident vet for the past two years and writes a regular column for them, focusing on pets and their health.

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Updated on: 07/27/2022

When an inexperienced owner or breeder hears the words ‘getting stuck,’ they may fear that this is a bad thing. Far from it, it is an important part of the canine breeding process. As one or both of the dogs may seem distressed, owners can worry that there is something amiss. Read on to learn why you have nothing to worry about when two dogs get stuck together during a mating session.

Photo by @oleg0 from Freepik

Remember, it is important we only breed healthy and well-adjusted dogs who do not have medical issues or behavioral disorders. Breeding the best stock will ensure good quality pups in future generations. ^[1]

Why do dogs stuck when they mate?

A male dog will usually dismount from the female during mating and perform a ‘copulatory tie’ after ejaculation. This is colloquially referred to as ‘getting stuck’. They are facing away from each other, bottom to bottom. This tie can last anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes.

Biologically, this increases the chance of a successful pregnancy, ensuring all of the semen travels where it needs to go. Having the semen secured inside the female and ensuring it does not spill out is the main advantage of the copulatory tie.

Does Getting Stuck Mean the Female Dog Is Pregnant?

While getting stuck can increase the odds of a female being pregnant, pregnancy can never be guaranteed. Either the male or female may be infertile. Successful mating is never a guarantee, even in fertile bitches and proven studs. Sadly, the puppies may not make it to full term in some pregnancies in some pregnancies.

Can Neutered Dogs Still Get Stuck?

This is a great question. Did you know after a male dog has been neutered, they can still technically get a female pregnant?

While this may seem impossible, they will still have semen present for several weeks after the castration surgery. During this time, the male dog’s testosterone remains high, and they can have sex, tie and produce puppies.

Those who have been neutered for more than a couple of months will no longer have semen and cannot make a female pregnant. Despite this, it is possible for them to have sex and tie, and this isn’t common.

what to do when the male dog get stuck while mating

Photo by Abhinav Anand on Unsplash

What to Do When The Male Dog Get Stuck While Mating?

Generally, we don’t need to do anything when dogs are stuck rear to rear, for them to get stuck while breeding, this is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about or to interfere with.

In some cases, dogs stay stuck for up to forty-five minutes. If either they seem distressed, you can calmly reassure them. Once the male is no longer aroused, the tie will naturally end.

If you become concerned at any point, don’t hesitate to contact your local clinic so they can provide veterinary advice and guide you on anything that may need to be done.

Stages of Canine Intercourse

Female dogs needs to be in season (oestrus) to allow a male to breed with them. When she is in season, an un-castrated male will be attracted to her. She will show signs such as a swollen vulva, and she will allow a male to mount her. ^[2]

Here are the main stages:

In canine mating, the female can ‘flirt’ with the male dog, letting him know she is keen to breed. He will then mount her and penetrate her vulva with his erect penis glans.

During ejaculation, the sperm and prostatic fluid are released into the female dog, traveling up her reproductive tract.

After the dog’s mate, the male dismounts, and they remain stuck, with the male’s penis still inside the female. The bulbus glandis of the male remains enlarged, keeping his penis inside the vagina. This can be uncomfortable for some dogs, especially those who are inexperienced with breeding. The dogs are standing in opposite directions at this time, with the male withdrawing eventually. This is the end stage of the breeding process.

READ MORE: Spaying your Female Dog

FAQ

Do dogs get stuck every time they mate?

No, not always. Tying is beneficial to ensure a pregnancy. Oftentimes, a male will mount a female dog, but the process does not result in a copulatory tie.

This can happen, for example, if the female dog is not in season or if the process is interrupted.

How long do dogs get stuck together?

The male and female dog can remain tied for 30-45 minutes in some cases. This is a very long time!

Owners need not worry as this is entirely normal. Staying stuck for this long helps ensure there is enough semen inside the female and that it travels in the right direction.

Some will only remain stuck for 5-10 minutes, which can be normal for them.

Is it painful for male dogs to mate?

For most male dogs, the mating process is not a painful one. If they are not used to breeding and ends up in an uncomfortable position, they may become distressed.

Breeders often report that first-time mating can be with some signs of pain exhibited. However, it is still important not to interrupt them or to try and break the tie. In fact, doing so can cause pain and injury to the male dog’s penis or the female’s vagina. ^[3]

Do female dogs feel pain when mating?

There is more of a chance of a bitch suffering pain if it is her first time mating or if the stud is inexperienced.

Being in an awkward position or the mating taking too long will inevitably make things worse for the dog.

Females often vocalize while breeding, but it should not be assumed that this is due to pain. This can be the female dog’s way of holding the male’s attention and communicating with him.

What is slip mating?

A ‘slip mating’ occurs when males and females do not complete the mating process and copulatory tie. This can happen if they are interrupted before the end of the mating session. While this makes pregnancy less likely, a female can still fall pregnant.

We can help prevent slip mating by ensuring both dogs have time to get to know each other and calm the environment. If either becomes stressed, the mating process can become interrupted.

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