Unspayed female dogs can have their first heat cycle anywhere between 6 and 15 months of age. During heat, which happens every six months or so and lasts a few weeks, your dog can get pregnant.

The swelling, rash and itching appear 12 hours to two days after contact. The seeds of the poodle-dog bush can lay dormant for years until the heat or smoke of a fire stimulates them to germinate.