I am not sure whether this belongs in "pregnancy" or "dogs", so I apologize if it is miscategorized. I am 5 and a half months pregnant, my husband and I have a 70lb rescue mutt (Emma). Since I began to really show over the past few weeks, Emma has become incredibly protective over me. She was protective to begin with, but this has gotten significantly worse (for lack of a better word) since I began to get large. She is always within 2 or 3 feet of me and does not want anyone to come near me. When my husband and I goof off (tickling, wrestling etc.), she thinks he is hurting me and gets in his face and growls. I am not complaining at all, and I am not worried she is going to hurt anyone, but I am a little confused. Has anyone had this happen? Can anyone offer input?
2006-10-24 15:18:10 · 13 answers · asked by emmadropit 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
My cousins dog did this, many times he almost tripped her. This is going to be her baby. She knows what is going on and she doesn't want anything to happen to you or your little one.
Buck, my cousins dog, will lick the baby on the top of her head. When someone other than her mom or dad is holding her, Buck will sit next to you and stare and you until she is back in her moms arms. She just loves you and loves "her" new baby on the way and doesn't want anything to happen.
He actually watches her sleep, if she starts to cry when he isn't there he will run back and forth from the baby and to her parents. Like we can't hear her crying.
Congradualtions and best of luck.
2006-10-24 15:24:16 · answer #1 · answered by s_ringler 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If a dog has even the slightest bit of aggression in it, that aggression will be promoted whenever it is held in the owner’s arms or held back on a short leash. It will also worsen if the owner bends down and cuddles the dog. When the owner is lying down, the dog takes on a more protective role, just as it would if it was protecting its puppies, if it had any. This might be seen when an owner is lying in the park on a fine summer day and the dog is very close at hand. A stranger may pass by, whereupon the dog will leap aggressively to ‘protect’ his owner who is still lying down
See the complete article at:.http://www.caredogtraining.com/Articles/wheresleep.htm
2006-10-24 22:30:30 · answer #2 · answered by Blossom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I entered my third trimester my lab became protective all of the sudden...like overly protective. She wouldn't let anyone in the bedroom if I was in there and if anyone walked by she stood up on all fours and growled and barked...even at my husband. I finally got tired of it so I told visitors and my husband to be forceful and tell her wrong. Grab her by the collar and make her sit and then pat her head and tell her to relax. It only worked sometimes. My cousin has cats and her cats did the opposite...they destroyed the house (which they never do) they opened and closed cabinets...knocked things off of shelves and one of them even bit her belly button! So yeah...our pets know when something major is about to happen and completely change our lives. Since my daughter was born, my dog has gotten much better...basically back to normal and her regular protectiveness. Still trying to grasp this whole tiny human thing though. Best thing to do is to give them lots of love cause it's hard for them to understand what's about to happen when you come home with a little one and she's no longer the center of attention. Congrats and best of luck!
2006-10-24 22:31:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply put. Your dog thinks she is the master of your house. Pregnant or not she would never growl at your husband unless she thinks she is in charge. She also doesn't want you to go anywhere because in the wild the alpha male and female dictate where all the others in the pack go.
Set her straight now or she will think she s the Master of the baby as well and she will enforce her will upon him/her which would be dangerous.
People shouldn't project HUMAN Psychology onto a dog.
Most peoples idea of pet ownership is that of peers, Dogs CANT and WON'T live like that they have to have a leader and followers in their pack. If you haven't established yourself and your husband as that leader most dogs will assume that role in order to protect the pack, and in so doing, themselves
2006-10-24 22:37:34 · answer #4 · answered by Rox 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This happened to me as well. My German Shepherd would lay with me on the couch, follow me everywhere, always make sure I was ok, etc. She was overly protective and always kept an eye on anyone that was near me. They know that you are more vulnerable when you are pg. I think that is why the feel the need to protect you more. Im sure they can tell that your scent has changed and obviously your shape. Something is different and she is just making sure you are ok.
My dog stopped protecting me after I had the baby. :)
Good luck with the new babe!
2006-10-24 22:23:19 · answer #5 · answered by Jennadog 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Chances are when you bring home your new baby, Emma may transfer her protectiveness to the baby.
And that can be a very good thing !
In this day and age, we all need all the friends we can get, and it sounds to me like Emma is a good friend to have.
PS
In your condition ,,,tickling may not be the best of ideas IMHO
Congrats on the baby and Good Luck
2006-10-24 22:26:47 · answer #6 · answered by donamarie_1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs know you are pregnant. Their pack instincts do become more pronounced. When my wife was pregnant with our first, we lived on a farm. Our dog laid 3 to 6 dead mice at the door step each morning, presumably food for the mother to be.
If the protective behavior gets to be to much, some training needs to be done.
2006-10-24 23:20:38 · answer #7 · answered by numbers57103 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be sure to ask your vet. Animas can sense when you are pregnant. My MEAN cat use to lie on my tummy after IVF. That is how I knew I was pregnant before the test could tell me. She never would si t on my lap, purring even. My vet sd they can tell and he has heard f this before. I would be worried about the overprotective behavior the dog may have after the baby is brn. Will it upset the dog when the baby cries. Ask a vet and see what you can do to protect your baby and your dog. Good LUCK and CONGRATULATIONS!
2006-10-24 22:27:51 · answer #8 · answered by Susan P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow my lab is going the same i am in my 9th week and she is always ( more so ) by my side i think she knew before i did we brought home some baby stuff and the walker really made her made she barked at it like cray untill i showed her what is was lol
dogs are special it will be so nice to have them around to help and watch over baby:)
good luck
2006-10-24 22:38:16 · answer #9 · answered by iamblessed 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dogs have a unique sence that they know something is differant and your dog knows that you are carring a baby and now she is being protective of 2 people,,, i have had alot of dogs and i had one that was the same way when i was pregnant she was very protectived over me and when i had my baby she wouldnt hardly let anyone hold him except for me and my mom and my husband that is it I hope this helps and good luck and congrats. on your new baby
2006-10-24 22:29:11 · answer #10 · answered by hunter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋