How do we handle female dogs in heat, pregnant, lactating, or with a litter?

Behavior can be less predictive with bitches that are in heat, lactating, with a litter or are very pregnant. Ideally, we recommend that these dogs be fostered until they are no longer in heat (or pregnant, etc.). You can conduct an initial SAFER assessment on these dogs to assess safety for a foster home. However, if the dog behaves with some aggression potential, we recommend that no euthanasia decision be made for a dog that is in heat, lactating or with a litter. The only exception to this is if the dog has a history of aggression outside the context of being in heat, pregnant, lactating, or with a litter that the previous owner has made you aware of and the issues are beyond what your shelter has the resources to modify.  more