Okay so this is a little bit embarrassing since I thought it would be fairly easy to identify the vulva on an adult dog. Even when driving by other people walking their dogs on the street I could tell at a glance if they were male or female by identifying the pronounced shape of the vulva. I figured it would be obvious for all dogs.
Well, I adopted a malamute mix about six months ago and she has settled in nicely. I've tried to fool around with her a couple of times recently, just with my fingers to start off nice and slow, but when she is in a standing position I honestly can't figure out where her vulva is located. I can sort of touch it, but there's so much fur I can't even see if I'm rubbing in the right place. Her vulva is almost perfectly camouflaged by thick fur on the vulva. All I can feel is fur and maybe a fleshy bit now and then. I would try to initiate with her on her back where it is definitely more visible, but she almost never rolls on her back on her own and doesn't like being forced into that position so I won't make her do it that way.
I guess my question is, is there a trick to getting a better view of the opening so I can see what I'm doing? I've seen some YouTube informational videos that show the handler gently pushing with a thumb on the spot in between the vulva and rectum which is supposed to cause the labia to part slightly, but that doesn't seem to work for me. Also, would her being spayed matter in terms of the size/shape of the vulva? I would think not, but I'm also not a vet.
Any advice is appreciated.
Well, I adopted a malamute mix about six months ago and she has settled in nicely. I've tried to fool around with her a couple of times recently, just with my fingers to start off nice and slow, but when she is in a standing position I honestly can't figure out where her vulva is located. I can sort of touch it, but there's so much fur I can't even see if I'm rubbing in the right place. Her vulva is almost perfectly camouflaged by thick fur on the vulva. All I can feel is fur and maybe a fleshy bit now and then. I would try to initiate with her on her back where it is definitely more visible, but she almost never rolls on her back on her own and doesn't like being forced into that position so I won't make her do it that way.
I guess my question is, is there a trick to getting a better view of the opening so I can see what I'm doing? I've seen some YouTube informational videos that show the handler gently pushing with a thumb on the spot in between the vulva and rectum which is supposed to cause the labia to part slightly, but that doesn't seem to work for me. Also, would her being spayed matter in terms of the size/shape of the vulva? I would think not, but I'm also not a vet.
Any advice is appreciated.