Dogs get stuck together in the final step of their mating process. It’s something that happens to nearly all canines, including wolves and foxes. During dog sex, a part of the male dog’s penis called the bulbis glandis swells and prevents him from pulling out. Essentially, the pair are locked together until the swelling subsides.
“Unlike cats who are fertile every 21 days, dogs only come into heat twice a year,” Dr. Marty Greer, DVM, author of “Canine Reproduction and Neonatology” and co-owner of Veterinary Village in Lomira, Wis., says. “From an evolutionary perspective, the copulatory tie helps them make the most of every opportunity to produce offspring. It improves the likelihood that semen reaches the eggs by pushing it forward and acting as a plug to keep semen inside the female.”
How Long Do Dogs Stay Stuck Together After Breeding?
Dogs remain stuck together at the end-stage of mating for five to 45 minutes, says Greer. The male dog dismounts and ends up rear-to-rear with the female. Dogs new to mating may experience a bit of anxiety at being locked together, but it’s a natural part of the process. Help your dog to remain calm and stand still until the two can safely separate. This will occur on its own once the male dog’s arousal subsides.
Does Getting Stuck Mean the Female Dog Is Pregnant?
The longer dogs are stuck together in a copulatory tie during dog mating, the greater the chance that the semen will reach the eggs. But pregnancy in dogs is never guaranteed, Greer says, “Just like in people, not every mating is successful.”
According to the American Kennel Club, a veterinarian can determine if your dog is pregnant with an exam or an ultrasound around 25 days after mating. You may also see signs of pregnancy about three weeks after mating, such as:
Greater appetite and weight gain.
Swollen belly
Larger and darker nipples
Vomiting and reduced appetite