Dog knot: Why dogs stick together when mating, what to do and how to separate

Dog breeding is a complex process that typically begins with courtship, where the male and female give signals to let the other know that they are ready to mate. After completing the intimate process, you can often notice that dogs cannot separate, a so-called dog knot is formed. It is at this moment that we ask ourselves what to do at this moment, and how to untie this knot, and is it worth doing it at all?

As we say, this is a normal phase that should play a role in the reproductive success of the species. Therefore, in principle, we do not need to interfere. But, if this connection lasts longer, it may indicate a problem.

Mating dogs

We can define mating as the strong physical connection that is established between the dog and the bitch during mating. When the male's penis manages to enter the female's reproductive system, the bulb, which is located at its base, enlarges.

This cannot be achieved if the bulb swells before the act, since in this case it is not possible to insert the entire limb. This bulb is the so-called capitol bulb. This is the structure of erectile tissue. When it swells during reproduction, it is secured in the female reproductive system by the powerful constrictor muscles of the bitch's vulva, thus forming a canine knot .

The exact function of the clutch is not yet clear, but it is believed to stimulate ejaculation and hold the male penis until the dog is done. Although it has been proven that its duration does not affect the likelihood of fertilization, nor the number of puppies conceived.

Advice from experienced people

You should not breed a female less than 2.5 years old and a male less than 1.5 years old;
The first mating is best done in autumn or winter;
Before the first mating, it is necessary to conduct a full examination of the dogs, clean them from fleas and worms (at least 10 days before mating);
All vaccinations for the female must be done in advance (1 month before mating);
It is imperative to introduce the dogs before the first mating (it is better to hold regular meetings);
Under no circumstances should you interfere or force the dogs, everything will happen by itself;
If the female is nervous about mating, reassure her;
For better results, it is necessary to re-mate a couple of days after the first.

Reproductive system of a male dog

To better understand why dogs engage in mating (canine knotting), it is important to briefly review the anatomy of both the male and female reproductive systems. Thus, the internal and external apparatus of a dog consists of the following parts :

Scrotum . A sac that is responsible for protecting and supporting the dog's testicles at the appropriate temperature. In other words, this is the visible part of these glands.
Testicles . Located inside the scrotum, they function in the production and maturation of sperm and male hormones such as testosterone. They are ovular in shape, located horizontally and, as a rule, symmetrical.
Epididymis . Located in both testicles, they are the tubes responsible for storing and transporting sperm into the vas deferens. These tubes consist of a head, body and tail.
Vas deferens . It begins in the tail of the epididymis and serves the function of transporting sperm to the prostate.
Prostate . The gland that surrounds the neck of the bladder and the beginning of the urethra, and the size of which is not the same in all breeds, varying significantly from one to another. Its function is to produce a substance called prostatic fluid or seminal plasma to facilitate the transport of sperm and nourish it.
Urethra . This tube is not only designed to carry urine from the dog's bladder, it is also part of the canine reproductive system, transporting sperm and prostate fluid for eventual ejaculation.
Forearms . It matches the skin that covers the penis to protect and lubricate it. This second function of the foreskin is related to its ability to produce for this purpose a green liquid called esmegna.
Pene . Normally it is located inside the foreskin. When the dog becomes aroused, an erection begins and, consequently, the appearance of the penis outwards. It is formed by the bone of the penis, which allows penetration, and the bulb of the penis, the ventral philtrum, which provides the so-called “canine knot”.

Main types

The choice of the type of crossing is influenced by the goals and objectives that the breeder sets for himself

The quality and correct choice of sources are important. The following types of crossing are distinguished: absorption, introductory, reproductive (factory), industrial and variable

Introductory

It is used when the breed meets all the requirements and has all the necessary qualities, but there is a need to improve them. To obtain the desired result, dogs are crossed in several stages:

The breeding stock of the improved variety is crossed with a representative of the breed selected to improve the original. The compatibility and compatibility of parents is important.
The second generation crossbreed is mated with a purebred representative of the breed being improved. In this case, only representatives with clearly expressed desirable characteristics are selected.
Breeding crosses among themselves.

Factory

This species is also called reproductive. In the process of this method, representatives of several breeds are used for breeding. A new breed is created by crossing crosses that meet all the stated selection goals. As a result of this breeding method, the required qualities and characteristics are developed.

Local aboriginal representatives who are well adapted to environmental conditions are chosen as the mother base. Other breeds are selected based on the qualities that need to be obtained, but which are not in the source being improved. Large breed differences give more chances for the appearance of completely new qualities, but it is not easy to consolidate them. In more similar mixtures, such qualities are established more easily and quickly.

As a rule, factory crossing consists of several components:

A model of the offspring that breeders want to obtain in the end is being developed.
Initial representatives are selected.
Crossing crosses with each other. Genetic enrichment. There may be a “flush” of blood from another breed.
Severe culling of offspring.

Industrial

The main goal of this type of reproduction is to obtain offspring suitable for a specific purpose. For this purpose, only the first generation of offspring is used. This choice is justified by heterosis, which consists in the fact that the first generation of crossbreeds has improved, more developed parental qualities.

For this method, only purebred representatives are selected. Requirements for crossed individuals: high degree of productivity and compatibility. Uteruses must be adapted to local conditions. Manufacturers are subject to higher quality requirements.

Reproductive system of bitches

Like the male apparatus, the female reproductive system is made up of internal and external organs, some of which are responsible for keeping dogs in the castle after bonding. Below we briefly explain the function of each of them :

Ovaries . Oval in shape, they perform the same function as the testicles in male dogs, producing eggs and female hormones such as estrogens. As with the male prostate, the size of the ovaries can vary depending on the breed.
Oviducts . Tubes located in each of the ovaries and the function of which is to transfer eggs to the uterine horn.
Uterine horn . Also known as the "horns of the uterus", these are the two tubes that carry eggs to the body of the uterus if they have been fertilized by sperm.
Uterus . This is where zygotes nest to become embryos, fetuses, and subsequently puppies.
Vagina . It should not be confused with the vulva because the vagina is an internal organ and the vulva is an external organ. In the female it is located between the cervix and the vaginal vestibule and is the place where sexual intercourse occurs.
Vaginal vestibule . Located between the vagina and vulva, it allows penetration during mating.
Clitoris . The function of this organ is to provide sexual satisfaction or stimulation to the bitch.
Vulva . As we already said, this is the external genital organ of the female dog, and it changes in size during the period of heat.

Should I intervene?

Not all breeders know what to do in a dog breeding situation. Should animals be posted? Dog handlers and veterinarians say a categorical “no.” Experienced breeders continue to observe and control the process.

Even if the knot in dogs does not weaken for more than half an hour, you cannot apply physical force to the couple. You need to help the female if she breaks out of the “lock”. The zealous “bride” is calmed down. Sometimes the loin is held to direct the flow of sperm to the uterus. This is necessary when the female is smaller than her lover. They also help a male dog if he is unable to stand with his back to his partner after ejaculation. The dogs are not allowed to twitch.

Important! Animals are not forcibly separated, even if mating is not planned. This is fraught with injury and loss of animal health.

Young ladies get scared, the spasm can intensify to unbearable pain. In the future, they are afraid of partners and intercourse. Sexual intercourse can take even longer.

During intercourse, owners create a calm environment for the dogs. Before mating, the female is fed moderately; it is better not to feed the male at all. The couple is given the opportunity to walk around and run around. The process is best done in the evening or early in the morning. The male feels more confident in his own territory, so the “brides” are brought to his home. It is better if the sacrament of conception occurs in silence. They watch him from the side, not trying to separate the couple.

The first mating is often carried out with a muzzle.

The first mating of a young bitch is especially important. She can be aggressive. Often the act is carried out wearing muzzles. The suitable age for dogs is 2-2.5 years. Matings earlier than this period lead to unhealthy litters, and the physical condition of the parents is also at risk. Bitches are bred after the third heat.

The best time for pets to crossbreed is late autumn and winter. Puppies are born healthier. The hormonal surge during early mating slows down the growth of dogs. The timing of puberty is individual and depends on the size of the individual, breed, and psychological state.

Important! If mating does not occur during intercourse, a repeat control mating is carried out after 2-3 days while the bitch is in heat.

How long does mating last in dogs?

It is believed that for the coupling to be effective in its function of ensuring that sperm enters the bitch's reproductive system, it must last for at least two to three minutes . But very often this process takes from 10 to 40 minutes.

Given this data, the connection will be considered redundant as long as the duration exceeds one hour . In these cases, a physical problem may arise that prevents the couple from divorcing, and this is the doggy knot.

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As children, we all watched with joy how, after certain processes, two dogs could not separate from each other for a long time. Someone even tried to “help” with the help of a ball, a leg and a targeted blow, although the dogs did not need this, since this is inherent in their nature. For people, in terms of separation, everything is completely different. That is, we can do this at any time, even without the help of doctors. Now imagine a situation (I wouldn’t wish a real-life case on anyone) when suddenly you and your partner are stuck together. By “stuck together” I mean that it is impossible to pull the penis out of the vagina (it seems to be stuck there). What will you do? I certainly doubt that anyone has ever thought about such a problem, but if this happens, there will be no time for the smiles that may now appear on your faces. You can, of course, call an ambulance, or you can try what they will do to you in the hospital. I will try to describe the action from the words that came to me. Everything is very simple. In order to “unstick” in the hospital, both partners are simultaneously inserted into the anus with a finger. Thus, certain muscles contract and certain muscles unclench. If you and your partner can perform such a circus act, then there will be no need to call the ambulance. Good luck and may fate protect you from such situations.

Why does dog knot happen?

Once penetration has occurred, the cable tends to "rush" out, remaining attached to the bitch and causing the owners of both animals to wonder why the dogs got stuck during mating (formed a doggy knot) and how to separate them. This is because dog ejaculation occurs in three phases or parts:

Urethral fraction . This is done when penetration is initiated and in it the dog releases the first fluid completely free of semen.
Sperm fraction . After the first ejaculation, the animal ends the erection and begins to emit a second ejaculation, this time with sperm. During this process, the size of the penile bulb increases due to venous compression of the penis and, as a result, blood concentration. At this point the cable often tries to come out, so they stick together when mating.
Prostate fraction . Despite the fact that the cable has already finished, copulation is not yet finished, since after that the so-called “buttoning” occurs due to the release of the third ejaculation with a significantly smaller number of sperm than in the previous one. Once the bulb relaxes and returns to normal, the dogs will separate .

In general, intercourse can last anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes, with 30 being the usual average.

Thus, we realized that the reason that answers the question of why dogs stick together during mating is the expansion of the penis bulb. The size it reaches, it cannot pass through the vaginal vestibule, which is closed precisely in order to guarantee this fact and avoid damage to the female.

Hormonal imbalance

Often the cause of sexual hyperactivity is the body's excessive or insufficient production of one or another hormone. You can talk for a long time about the influence of hormones on the behavior of male dogs, but such an educational program will be of little help to the average person. But who can help is a veterinarian. If, despite all efforts to re-educate the fidget, a male dog marks at home, behaves aggressively towards other animals, loses appetite and peace when a girl is in the neighborhood - take a test to determine the level of hormones in the blood. Dysfunction of the pituitary gland, adrenal glands, thyroid, pancreas, gonads and other glands is not only behavioral problems, but also a serious threat to the dog’s health. It may be necessary to castrate a male dog - do not refuse the operation only for moral and ethical reasons. When a veterinarian recommends castration, it is no longer about your views on the issue, but about the duration and quality of life of a living creature.

What should I do, should I disconnect?

If you understand what is happening on the physical level, I think it will be easy for you to understand that we do not need to separate the dogs by force, moreover, if we do this, we can cause serious injury to the genitals of both. Even if it is an unwanted mating, the dogs should be allowed to finish and then contact a veterinarian. So keep these tips in mind :

Keep calm. If dogs lose their perspective, nervous activity will only increase their stress. The result can be more movement and, as a result, more injuries.
Don't pull either the male or the female.
Don't water them.

Important nuances of the first mating

In rare cases, mating does not result in a lock. Statistically, such a mating is considered unsuccessful, although the bitch can become pregnant.

The lock fails if:

A young female or male is mating - the reason is inexperience and stress.
Partners have pathologies, including the reproductive system.
The timing was wrong for mating.

The choice of the optimal time for mating depends on the individuality of the bitch, or more precisely, on her cycle. Mating occurs after the onset of the third heat, so the owner needs to calculate based on the following data:

The first two heats lasted 21–23 days, which means you need to breed from the 10th to 14th day of the heat.
The first two heats lasted 26–28 days, which means you need to breed from the 14th to 18th day of the heat.

The environment in which mating takes place plays a significant role. It is better that the mating takes place in the dog’s territory and without prying eyes. A bitch, especially a young one, will not allow herself to be impregnated if she feels danger or stress. A young male may give up if there are other males in the territory vying for mating.

The first mating is very stressful. Dog bonding can occur for two reasons - fertilization or fear. If the bitch is afraid, she is held and forced to mate, the lock will occur, but due to a strong spasm. Such mating is accompanied by severe pain, and both the bitch and the dog feel discomfort.

In this case, fertilization does not occur, although the dogs stand in the castle for quite a long time. In addition to unsuccessful mating, such an incident is fraught with fear of animals before subsequent matings. The dog will simply remember that intercourse is very painful and will avoid it. The bitch will not allow the male to approach her even during the hunting period, and the male will not dare to have sexual intercourse. Refusal to mate is more often observed in bitches who have experienced an unsuccessful first mating.

Dog mating is a whole science, but it can only be learned through experience. If you don't have any experience, it might be worth asking a stud instructor for help (yes, they exist).

If you decide to cope on your own, you should listen to the advice of experienced breeders and dog handlers:

Don't rush - don't breed a female under 2.5 years old or a male dog under 1.5 years old. Early matings have a detrimental effect on the health of parents and puppies.
Carry out the first mating in autumn or winter - it will be easier for the dogs to cope with the load, and the litter will be stronger.
Take preventative measures before mating - the male and female dogs should be examined by a veterinarian and freed from fleas and worms 10–14 days before mating. The bitch must have all her vaccinations no later than 1 month before breeding.
Introduce the dogs - mating will be successful if the bitch and the dog have known each other for a long time and trust each other.
Do not interfere - even if mating is not followed by mating, you should not interfere. Most likely, the dogs will rest and get back to work.
If the female panics in the castle, calm her down and hold her, but in no case show your anxiety.
Carry out a control mating 1–2 days after the first mating.

If the mating was successful, after it the male loses sexual interest in the female, and the female looks tired and calm. Dogs should be placed on leashes, given water, calmed down, and given the opportunity to rest. After a short rest, it is better to isolate the bitch from the male, since after a few hours he will again show sexual interest.

Separating two dogs in a hitch

Firstly, you should only separate a dog's knot if they have been together for more than an hour. Less time is considered normal adhesion and therefore intervention never occurs. It is normal for a dog to moan, wail, or grumble during mating. This reaction does not require separation.

The separation can be accomplished with a relatively simple maneuver. But if you're very nervous, you don't seem able to do it, or you've tried without success, call your veterinarian. Never do this by force as you may harm the dogs or even get bitten.

Castle phenomenon

The purpose of an animal's existence is to give birth. Dogs do not mate for the sake of pleasure - a natural physiological process has the ultimate goal of prolongation of the species. Crossing and sticking together is a guarantee of fertilization and a successful outcome of intercourse.

Important! Dogs stuck together are pitiful and helpless. They are dependent on each other and vulnerable

At this time, a serious process is underway in the female’s body - sperm tend to the uterus and end up deep in the womb. The risk of loss of material is eliminated - the female has every chance of becoming pregnant. Another important point is that when the lovers open up, the weakened partner will not have the strength for another contender. “Love Lock” is insurance for a male dog to conceive puppies from him.

This behavior and physiology is characteristic of many school animals. The pack is divided into alpha males and weak, unworthy competitors. Strong animals strive to be the first to cover the female. The “lock” phenomenon is observed in the closest relatives of dogs - wolves, as well as foxes and hyenas.

Biological reasons

The way dogs stick together and stick to each other during mating may seem ridiculous and pointless. However, no physiological or behavioral aspect is fixed in animals without an evolutionarily significant reason.

Despite the fact that being in a state of coupling, dogs become more vulnerable to the onset of possible danger from the outside, their connection significantly increases the chances of conception. During the time that the dogs are in the so-called castle, the male sperm not only enters the bitch’s vagina, but also passes through the genital tract to the uterus without the risk of loss.

Helminthiasis

If the owner does not regularly treat the pet for helminths, parasites can settle in the intestines. When there is a large accumulation of worms, they can clog the intestines and come out through the anus, causing irritation of the anus. The dog scratches it, crawling with its heel on the floor or ground.

Infection with worms can be suspected by weight loss, alternating constipation and diarrhea, deterioration in coat quality and the presence of blood in the stool. Sometimes worms can be seen in feces.

Important!

To eliminate parasites, anthelmintic treatment should be carried out at least once every three months.

Questions and answers

What is the scheme for gluing dogs?

When mating, the dogs first get to know each other and sniff each other. If both pets show sympathy, then the mating process begins. The female takes a comfortable position so that the male is on top. The male stands firmly on the ground with his hind legs and clasps the female with his front legs. If everything happens correctly, then during mounting the male’s sexual organ enlarges and enters the female. The female's vaginal muscles become toned, promoting strong bonding. As a result of this process, a “dog knot” is obtained, which prevents the dogs’ intimacy from being interrupted prematurely. That is, animals are held together against their will. This is physiology.

IMPORTANT! Bonding in dogs or the “dog knot” can last from 5 to 30 minutes. Owners should know this and not panic

This is absolutely normal.

Why is this happening?

Why does nature provide such a mechanism? Everything is very simple. Thanks to this coupling, the female’s chances of conception increase. The sperm has time to pass through the genital tract without loss. This coupling allows the male to remain with the female for as long as possible. When a female is in heat, there are always a lot of suitors around, and sticking together gives the male the opportunity to get ahead of competitors.

How should owners behave?

Many owners, especially beginners, ask the question: “What to do when dogs stick together?” Clumping is completely normal in dogs. Owners should not try to separate dogs, even if the mating process occurred by accident. Do not separate animals or drive them away from each other - this can cause injury or stress in dogs.

In the case when mating is planned, you need to know some rules. Do not distract animals with extraneous noises. The owners must be focused and calm. As mentioned earlier, if the female is stressed after bonding, then she needs to be calmed and lightly held. When the male changes position, it is also necessary to carefully help the animals and turn their backs towards each other.

How do they come apart?

The release mechanism is very simple. As soon as the excitement subsides, the muscles of the female genital organs relax, and the male drains blood from the genital organ. In this way, the animals calmly separate from each other.

The female can stick together more than once, and with different males. So one litter can be conceived by different males

Therefore, it is very important to monitor the female during the entire estrus period.

Having studied this mechanism, you will no longer be surprised by the process of adhesion during mating. This is absolutely normal for dogs and there is nothing wrong with it. Now you know all the nuances and can help your pets carry out mating painlessly and comfortably.

What is the role of bonding for the female

Of course, the main goal of a love union is fertilization. As stated earlier, tail is a physiological process that nature has endowed with all breeds of dogs. It guarantees the appearance of offspring and prevents the female from being impregnated by another male.

Recommendations for novice dog breeders: do not disturb lovers when they are in a love castle. You can only lightly hold the mongrel so that it does not make sudden movements.

There are a number of reasons why mating is not possible:

inexperience of partners;
health problems;
very young female;
wrong time for mating.

The most favorable period for conception is considered to be 10-14 days of estrus.

Dating procedure

The first to visit the mating place is the “lady”, who gets the opportunity to get acquainted with the surrounding space for 5-10 minutes, then the “gentleman” is released to her. An experienced dog will initially prefer to spend a little time courting a bitch.

The introduction of pets should take place under the supervision of their owners. Often you may need help when breeding dogs, especially when the dog is young and does not have the proper experience. In such cases, he may need to be “adjusted”, placed in the desired position. An overexcited dog is capable of performing incorrect mountings. To correct the situation, the owner should take his four-legged friend out and give him time to calm down a little.

The behavior of experienced male dogs may be different. Someone tries to growl at the “lady”, bite her lightly, and show his dominance. Quite often, “grooms” demonstrate polite behavior, try to flirt, lick the “noose” and “ears” of their “brides”. Often the behavior of an experienced male dog changes radically. This means that the owner will have to control his pet at all times.

In most cases, the reaction of an experienced bitch to a dog is calm. The “lady” is not against the advances of the “gentleman”. After a short game, the bitch takes a stance and withdraws her tail. Her pelvis is located in front of the male's front legs. The animal periodically tilts its head to the side, without looking at the partner, and may flatten its ears.

A young bitch is capable of showing fear, tucking her tail, and falling on her paws. If this is the first mating of dogs, the “bride” often snaps, and sometimes even tries to rush at the “groom”. This behavior is explained not only by youth and inexperience, but also by an error in calculating the day of mating. Another reason is the presence of abnormalities in the animal’s nervous system. The adequate reaction of the bitch, her acceptance of her partner’s advances, the absence of fear and aggression indicate the correct calculation of the time of mating, and the absence of unwanted physiological and nervous disorders in the individual.

Doctors rescued lovers who got stuck together during sex

Read also: Doctors sewed on a guy’s penis, which he cut off himself

An Italian couple went to a deserted beach on a sunny day to give vent to their feelings. After a long foreplay, the couple went into the water to make love. However, the heated partners were in for an unpleasant surprise - their genitals literally “glued together” and made it impossible for them to separate.

The lovers had to spend a lot of time in the water until they were lucky enough to see another beach girl. It was she who helped the careless couple get ashore, wrapped them in a towel and called the doctors. However, specialists on the spot were unable to help the lovers, so the torment of the thrill-seekers ended only in the hospital, where they were taken by ambulance.

Treatment

Now it’s clear why the dog rides on the floor on its butt. Blocked anal and paraanal glands are less common, but can also cause discomfort in your dog. As a result of this, she will ride on the floor on her butt. It is very difficult to cope with such a disease on your own if a person does not have certain skills in this area.

So, the animal will require regular mechanical washing, a course of certain antibiotics and much more. The course of treatment is determined depending on the degree of the disease. For example, in some cases, novocaine blockades or washing of the sinuses with antiseptics and so on may be required. Naturally, with such problems, an inexperienced person will not be able to determine the real threat and prescribe a course of treatment.