If your whelp has recently given nascence and she ’s acting a little other than , do n’t interest . It ’s normal . Many female parent dogs exhibit behavioral changes after giving birth , and these can range from mild to extreme . Depending on the effort , uncharacteristic dog behavior after accept pup rarely lasts more than a few calendar week before a new mom begins acting more like herself again . The trick is understanding how to deal with the changes and care for your pet in the interim .
Behavior Changes After Puppies
Just like us , blackguard experience significant hormonal variety before , during , and after pregnancy . These wavering can lead to behavioral changes that are both irregular and long - lasting . uncouth conduct changes may include :
Dogs Can Become Aggressive After Having Puppies
The most quick and noticeable alteration is often an increment in protectiveness . You may noticeaggressive behaviorfor this reason . Your once easy - going pup might grumble or become untrusting when alien near . She ’s got little ones to defend now . This instinctual behavior is strong in the first few week but often belittle as the pup grow and become more autonomous .
To keep aggression to a minimum :
belligerent behaviors usually commence to disappear within a calendar week or two after delivery . If you feel unsafe around your pet , give your veterinarian a call to find out if an test and some medicine might be in society .
Dogs May Experience Anxiety After Delivering Puppies
Anxious behavior is not quite as concerning as fast-growing behaviour , and it ’s not uncommon for a female person to exhibit some anxiety after giving birth , specially if it was her first litter . She may yammer and tremble if someone comes near the whelp , and she may even become clingy . She might also lick the puppy too much , which can leave them wet and chilled .
To help deoxidize anxiety :
Most Modern ma settle down within a day or two of yield birth as they get used to their newfangled duties , so it ’s unremarkably not necessary to call the ex-serviceman unless the anxiety seems excessive . If your dog is especially unsatisfied and trembles constantly , these could be signboard ofeclampsia , and she needs to go to the veterinary clinic straightaway .
Dogs Dig Outside of the Whelping Box
It ’s natural for a new ma to dig up the report and blankets in herwhelping boxas she attempts to make it more comfortable for her and her new pups . If she start out digging outdoors of the box , however , this can be an extension of anxious behavior . Typically , it ’s a sign she feels her pups need to be moved to a more strong place .
If that ’s the fount , she ’ll seek for a privy box , a family member ’s layer , the inside of a closet , or some other out - of -the - fashion place , and begin digging to create a new nest to transfer her pup . To quash this behavior before pitch , choose a subdued , low - dealings area to set up her whelping boxful before she’sready to give birth . This give her time to get used to the dapple and feel more good when it comes time todeliver her puppies .
To properly contend the behaviour :
Digging and trying to relocate pups tends to block as presently as the female feels more secure , so treat this egress as speedily as potential .
Nesting Behavior
Nesting often continues for some time after a frump has throw birth . This conduct helps the mother verify there ’s a safe and good environs for the new puppy . The mother will usually continue to keep the nesting area clean and will rearrange blankets or bedding to make certain her little single are comfortable and protect . It ’s her maternal instinct kicking in self-aggrandizing - time .
If you observe this behavior becomes obsessive or troubled , it may be a effective idea to consult your vet . protracted or extreme nesting behavior could be a sign of postpartum anxiousness or other wellness emergence that may need attention . But generally speaking , some continued nesting behaviour is absolutely normal and is the dog mom ’s way of train care of her new class .
If you ’re implicated about your andiron ’s nesting behavior , you’re able to aid her .
If the mother dog becomes excessively possessed with her nesting area to the percentage point that she ’s neglect her puppies or herself , this could be a problem .
Watch for Displays of Lethargic Behavior
Some female person are perfectly calm and easy settle into caring for their pups , but lethargic behavior goes beyond being calm . A lethargic female person will behave sluggishly and neglect her pups . She may even lay on them and circumstantially put out them .
An infection , like mastitis , or some other post - delivery malady can cause lethargic deportment . If your dog becomes lethargic , lay the pup in a affectionate box to protect them and take her and the whelp to the veterinarian immediately for right diagnosing and intervention .
Manage Your Dog’s Accidents
House stroke fall out for several reasons . Your new wienerwurst mom may find too decrepit and tired after giving parentage to go outside to relieve herself , and she may also finger anxious about leave her newborn pup . Continued and frequent house accidents could also be a sign she has developed a urinary nerve pathway infection after giving birthing .
To properly manage this issue :
If there is n’t a aesculapian cause for the house accidents , this behaviour normally disappears within a few day of pitch , after she realizes it ’s safe to give her puppy alone for a few proceedings while she goes outside .
Be Aware a Mother Dog May Eat Her Pups
This is a very perturbing deportment that you hopefully will never face . In rarefied instances , a new mother will kill and exhaust her pup , and this can happen no matter how teachable her distinctive behavior is . VCA Hospitalsattribute this behavior to a primeval , protective inherent aptitude that can be triggered if the mother thinks her pups make too much disturbance and might attract predators .
In a case like this :
This behavior broadly speaking occurs within hours or a couple day of delivery while the pups are still newborns . You should call your veteran directly after any live on pups have been separated from their mother . After the pups are run around , you may render keeping them with their mom for supervised periods to see if she will take over them .
Once a female person has cannibalise her pup , it ’s serious to avoid breeding her again because she will belike repeat the conduct .
Signs It’s Time to Call the Vet
A post - pregnancy exam can deoxidize or winnow out aesculapian event that could stimulate a drastic change in the Modern momma ’s behavior . Cleary Lake Veterinary Hospital in Prior Lake , Minnesota , recommends that all females see a veterinary surgeon for examen within 48 hours of pay birth . This is to verify all puppy have been delivered , and the uterus is flinch back to its pre - pregnancy size . In many case , a veterinarian will administer an antibiotic shot as a caution against transmission .
Even if your female had a post - pregnancy examination , she could still display some worrisome behaviors . You should call your veterinary surgeon if she :
Keep an Eye on the New Mom
Hopefully , you ’ll never experience any serious behavioral changes after your dog has pup , but retain a cheeseparing centre on her for the first week after delivery should avail you spot problems and address them as they get up . Consult your veterinary surgeon if you feel your deary ’s behavioral change are more than you may wield .
