Your Girl's Heat Cycle:
Four hormonal acts. One leading lady. Zero Chill
Proestrus — The Flirt Phase
Oestrogen enters stage left, the vulva swells like a party balloon, and there’s a bit of spotting—just enough to make the local boy dogs start composing love sonnets.
Mood: Sparkly, curious, and occasionally dramatic. She might strut like she’s on a catwalk but still play hard to get.
Behaviour: Tail tucked, dramatic glances, and a sudden interest in being admired multiple angles.
My Response: Gentle structure, extra snuggles, and flirty nicknames like “Little Miss Hussy”
Forget textbook biology—this is a mood-driven masterpiece with velvet curtains, plush duck drama, diva moods and a symphony of hormonal shifts,
My Poppet doesn’t just go through a cycle. She performs it.
Whether she’s flirting, nesting, or simply vibing in her hormonal sabbatical, we follow her lead with snuggles, structure, and zero judgment.
Oestrus — The Main Event
Ovulation arrives. Progesterone takes the mic. Poppet is officially open to romantic inquiries—but only from those who pass her vibe check.
Mood: Bold. Receptive. Possibly channelling her inner soap opera heroine.
Behaviour: Tail flagging, standing for suitors, and maybe a few theatrical sighs
Response: Calm supervision, respectful distance from ‘the chosen one’, and a reminder that she’s the one writing this love story.
Dioestrus — The Nesting Chapter
Whether or not she’s pregnant, her body acts like she’s prepping for a baby shower. Progesterone rules the roost, and emotional nesting begins.
Mood: “I need space… or maybe a cuddle… no wait, space again.” Quiet, introspective, and deeply committed to her plush duck.
Behaviour: Rearranging blankets like a tiny interior designer, hoarding toys, and giving us side-eye if we touch her “nursery.”
My Response: Soft corners, warm tea (for us), and zero judgment if she starts treating her squeaky squirrel like a newborn.
Anoestrus — The Intermission
The curtain closes. Hormones take a nap. Peace returns. No swelling, no drama, no suitors—just vibes and long walks.
Mood: Balanced. Breezy. Blissfully unbothered.
Behaviour: Back to baseline. She’s just Poppet again—no hormonal plot twists, no plush duck custody battles.
My Response: Routine, calm, and quiet gratitude for the pause before Act I begins again.
False Pregnancy —
Totally Normal, Slightly Surreal
Her body goes full method actress. Milk production? Check. Toy-baby bonding? Check. Emotional monologues? Possibly.
Mood: Tender. Protective. Slightly confused by her own instincts.
Behaviour: Carrying toys like they’re her offspring, guarding nests, and giving us “don’t touch my baby” eyes.
My Response: Gentle reassurance, a tidy toy basket, and whispered and a whispered reminder that nature is wonderfully weird.
How to Keep Her Chaste and Charming
1. Lock Down the Love Shack
No unsupervised outdoor time. Male dogs can smell a female in heat from kilometers away. It’s basically Tinder for dogs.
Check fences, gates, and Houdini-level escape routes.
No dog parks, no off-leash strolls, no “he’s just friendly” encounters.
2. Fashion Forward: Doggy Nappies
Yes, they exist. Yes, they’re adorable. And yes, they help contain the mess and the attention.
Bonus: she’ll look like she’s headed to a canine yoga retreat.
3. Walks: The Stealth Edition
Early mornings or late evenings are best—less traffic, fewer admirers.
Keep her on a short leash. No retractables unless you want a Romeo reenactment.
4. Indoor Entertainment
Puzzle toys, scent games, and training sessions keep her mind busy and her heart unbroken.
Rotate toys like she’s got her own Netflix queue.
5. Mood Management
She might be clingy, cranky, or suddenly convinced your laundry basket is a nest.
Offer calm cuddles, gentle grooming, and maybe a pep talk: “You’re strong. You’re independent. You don’t need a boyfriend right now.”
6. Cleanliness & Comfort
She will handle her personal hygiene with the quiet dignity of someone who knows she’s fabulous.
Wipe gently with a damp cloth if needed—no harsh soaps or scented wipes.
Wash bedding regularly and offer soft, cozy blankets.
Create a quiet retreat space where she can lounge like the queen she is
7. Track Her Cycle Like a Pro
Use a visual calendar to log:
Start and end dates
Mood changes
Appetite shifts
Any flirty behaviour (tail flags, side-eyes, dramatic sighs)
This helps you prep for future cycles and gives your vet a clear picture if needed.
Managing your girl’s heat cycle isn’t just about avoiding puppies—it’s about honouring her development, supporting her health, and deepening your bond. You’re not just a pet owner. You’re a steward of her story.
Let’s keep the romance on hold and the legacy strong. 🐶💕
So, you’ve got a gorgeous Cavoodle girl and you’re following our advice to delay spaying until after 12 months.
Bravo!
You’re giving her body time to grow, her hormones time to settle, and her joints time to say “thank you.” But here’s the catch: she’ll go through a couple of heat cycles first. And unless you’re planning a litter, you’ll want to keep her out of the romantic spotlight.
Let’s talk about how to manage her heat cycle like a pro—without drama, without surprise puppies, and ideally without your neighbour’s Labrador trying to scale your fence like Romeo in a fur coat.
