As a new or experienced dog owner or breeder, there are some questions regarding dogs most especially their Reproduction which is quite different from the usual human behavior and cycle.
One such question is how can a dog get pregnant without locking.
This is a scenario that keeps occurring with so many dogs after sex regardless of the breed.
As a dog owner most especially a breeder, it is important to have the maximum number in a litter and healthy puppies which might not be possible if a dog gets pregnant without locking.
LOCKING:
Usually, when dogs mate, the male dog ejaculates inside the female after which, a phase that is referred to as “locking”, or “being tied” is formed.
Locking is a phase in mating when the male dog’s penis swells inside the female vagina causing them to be physically joined together for a period of interrupted time.
After the knot, the male dog is unable to withdraw until after full semination.
This process of knotting can last from some minutes to half an hour.
Trying to separate the male dog or the bitch at this point can result in injury to either one, or both of them and possibly to the interferer if the dog objects to any interference.
In some matings, the male dog withdraws before locking occurs or the process of locking can be abruptly stopped by an interferer which leads us to the question if a dog can get pregnant without locking.
Slip Mating:
As opposed to some beliefs, dogs can get pregnant without locking through a process called slip mating.
This is when the male dog and or female withdraws from Mating just before locking.
During this process, ejaculation has already occurred and there is a high chance the female dog will get pregnant without locking.
Basic biology tells us that the withdrawal method is not a 100% safe way of not getting pregnant due to droplets of semen and this can happen before locking during mating in dogs.
Female dogs only mate when they are in heat.
Just like humans, this is an unsafe period to mate without a pregnancy risk. So, the chances of getting pregnant without locking are high.
Why Should My Dog Lock During Mating:
You must wonder why your dog must lock during mating since females can get pregnant without locking.
This phenomenon process might seem unnecessary to some, while to others it might seem unusual or disturbing.
locking is a fundamental natural process that should be allowed by dog owners and breeders.
Below are reasons why locking during mating is very important
1. Ensuring Complete Copulation:
The locking process ensures mating is successful by keeping the male dog’s enlarged penis securely inside the female’s vagina.
This elongated process helps in the optimum transfer of ejaculated sperm, increasing the chances of fertilization.
2. Natural Behavioral and Hormonal Factors:
The knot is influenced by changes in hormones and behavioral cues.
This allows time for the release of hormones that are vital for the reproductive process, ensuring that the female dog is prepared for reproduction.
3. Preventing mating from another male:
During locking, the male dog prevents other males from mating with the female dog. This ensures that the offspring produced are genetically related to the male dog
4. Optimizing Fertilization:
The prolonged contact in locking helps in the efficient placement of the male sperm within the female’s reproductive tract.
This increases the likelihood of successful fertilization of the female’s eggs thereby producing more healthy offspring ( Puppies).
While locking in dogs might seem undesirable and unusual, it is advisable to allow the natural process to take place and allow the dogs to disengage themselves so as not to cause harm or injury to all parties
It is also advisable to closely monitor the dogs to ensure they do not become stressed, injured, or harmed by other dogs when locking.
When they get stuck during unmonitored locking and the female pulls out by flipping without caution, it can lead to serious bleeding which can make her unreceptive to future mating.
In such cases, she will fight off any male dog that tries to mount on her even when she’s on heat so it’s best advised to always monitor dogs when mating and locking.
Do other animals practice locking:
locking is not unique to dogs only as opposed to popular beliefs.
In dogs, it is the third phase of mating but to other animals, it’s a compassionate way of mating, and it’s also largely due to their similar reproductive organ as the dog species.
Their locking period is not as long as dogs but is similar to dogs since the penis of the male animal becomes swollen and locks inside the female vagina.
Examples of these animals are pigs, horses, tigers, lions, rabbits, dolphins, bonobos, etc, practise locking in different forms and extended time phases.
Similarities Between Slip Mating And Locking:
- Both processes occur after mating by the male and female dog
- Both processes can lead to pregnancy due to the transfer of sperm from the male to the female dog.
- Species-Specific adaptations. Slip mating and locking reflect individual preferences and anatomical and behavioral adaptations of dogs.
- they also reflect hormonal respnses and cues