Females most commonly masturbate by stroking or rubbing the vulva, especially the clitoris, with hands and fingers until orgasm is reached.
Females also may use running water to stimulate the vulva or insert fingers or a hard object into the vagina.
The vulva or pudendum comprises all the female external generative organs, and consists of the mons Veneris, labia majora and minora, clitoris, urethral orifice, hymen, bulbs of the vestibule, and glands of Bartholin.
Herpes simplex and human papilloma virus, which is associated with warts, commonly affect the vulva.
This stage is marked by obvious physical changes such as swelling of the vulva and a bloody discharge, but the bitch is not yet receptive to breeding.