Does My Dog Know I'm Pregnant?
Dogs are connected to their people and their daily routines. They know when the people wake up, when and
where they do certain chores, and whether it is a workday or the weekend. How? It's quite simple: dogs are
creatures of habit and they take into account the habits of those around them, too. Dogs have a keen sense of
sight and smell that helps them to monitor life around them – including the changes that come with pregnancy.
Pregnancy creates hormonal changes that affect your emotions, your routines, and even your scent. Some
reported changes from Moms-to-be are:
- Over clinginess
- Protectiveness
- Elimination related issues
- Aloofness
- Excessive attention seeking
- Anxiety (pacing, licking etc)
If you notice unwanted changes in your dog's behavior here are some things to consider.
- What exactly has changed? Has the dog's behavior changed, or have the family's activity level and routines been disturbed? Is your dog reacting to changes in your behavior?
- How is this behavior change being reinforced? Dogs do what works for them. Why and how is this behavior working for your dog?
- When did this change begin? Is the behavior new, or have you ever seen it before? If so, when?
- Could there be any medical reason for the change in your dog's behavior? Allergies, aches and pains, and illness make us cranky, and they affect our dogs in a similar way. Could this have a bearing on your dog's behavior?
Each pregnancy is unique – from one woman to another or from your first pregnancy to the next. And although
most pregnancies bring with them a great amount of joy, even “normal” pregnancies can be stressful. Family pets
often react to this stress, and if the family is dealing with a difficult pregnancy, that stress is multiplied – for
everyone.
Consistent leadership and training help to keep companion animals grounded throughout this wonderful and
stressful time. You have a great deal to learn and do prior to the arrival of the baby; the good news is Dogs&Storks
offers a great deal of support and information to help you prepare your dog for life with kids.
Visit us at www.dogsandstorks.com
IMPORTANT: If you notice a change in your dog's behavior that concerns you, contact your vet or a dog behavior consultant in your area right away.
Created by Jennifer Shryock
Please contact us about our phone consultation and other services at www.familypaws.com.
Jennifer is the Founder of "Dogs & StorksTM" workshop. Jennifer is a Canine behavior consultant that specializes in safe kid & k9 harmony from the start. For information about a Dogs & Storks program near you contact Family Paws.com
Other resources can be found at www.familypaws.com
Reprinted with permission
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Information found in the Web Baby Shower Resource Directory is provided "As Is" with no warranty; information regarding pregnancy, birth and parenting is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition and is not meant to be a substitute for personal care from a professional health care practitioner. Web Baby Shower/Snowboard Mommy Productions does not endorse any product or service and is not responsible for the content or conduct of sites it links to.
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