Chizka Is On Her First Stage of Heat Cycle

You read the title right. Our little Chizka is turning into a little lady now for she is on her first stage of heat cycle or menstrual period for human, I mean women. I actually expected it when she turned 6 months old last June 30 which is the usual age for small dogs to start their heat cycle.  Dogs' normal heat cycle last about  three weeks having three stages.  

My husband and I noticed Chizka's constant licking on her swollen delicate area earlier this week. She was also kinda' moody, picky with foods, peed a lot than normal and loved being cuddled and touched. It's when we suspected she is going to have her heat cycle. She had her heat cycle started last Tuesday. Since then, we didn't took her outside for she can surely call male dogs' attention and it is not right for her to mate around the first stage of heat cycle, it should be on the third stage. Besides, we don't want her to get pregnant this year for she is still a baby.