The responsibility of caring for a mother dog and her pups is an unforgettable experience that is full of both joy and responsibility. Also, it allows you to observe a variety of behaviors that non-mothering dogs don’t exhibit like nesting, licking, home contamination, and even a suspicion of strangers.
The most unusual behaviors is the movement of newborn puppies from one location to another. If you’re your first time handling dogs You might be wondering what the reason my dog keeps moving her pups around? The reason is that she is trying to safeguard them. If the mother dog is concerned that they are in danger they will keep moving her puppies around the house until she finds the most secure, safe place. Mother dogs may continue to move her puppies when the initial location was uncomfortable for the puppy or her.
Moving puppies from one area to another is a natural and a normal behavior. However, puppies are delicate and sensitive, so excessive movement could cause anxiety for them. There are, however, ways to stop the mother dog from moving her pups excessively and assisting her to feel secure and at ease.
Let’s begin with the fundamentals.
The Origins Of The Mothering Behaviour
In the process of being the perfect mother and dog, dogs face difficulties more than women. In particular, they are not able to take part in educational Lamaze classes to get all the information they require about the challenges they will face.
But, that doesn’t mean that dogs don’t make excellent mothers. On contrary, many are extremely protective and loving. Female dogs develop the skills of motherhood and behavior by the nature of their breed and through nurturing.
Nature is the primordial skills that are genetically imprinted, while nurture refers to motherhood’s learned, acquired aspect.
These hormonal shifts which happen during pregnancy and during delivery are crucial to in the growth of maternal abilities. The puppy’s passage via the birth canal as well as the first time they lick are crucial to the development of.
This is why mothers who are first time giving birth through a Caesarean section may require some assistance while learning how to be a perfect mother.
The Different Types Of Mothering Behaviours
When puppies are born, there could be a variety of changes in the behavior that the mother dog shows. However, they’re not permanent. Once the pups have grown a bit and are not totally dependent on their mother, she’ll go back to her regular self.
Here are the most commonly observed mothering behaviors.
Nesting
When the baby is born the mother dog will begin searching for a secure place to deliver her baby. It appears that the dog is seeking something inside the home. The moms who are soon to be born may be digging in the carpet or alter the arrangement of the furniture.
To ensure that your dog has an appropriate and safe space to give birth and nurture her pups You can purchase the specially made litter pen or crate as an alternative, or you can build one of your own.
If you notice your dog frequently laying inside the crate, that means she is happy and feels secure and at ease.
Aggressiveness
Even the most calm, laid-back and even-tempered dog could display signs of aggression when the puppies are born. This is normal since it is the job of the mother to ensure the safety of her infants.
The aggression may be directed at you too. In most instances the aggression is directed at those who are near to her litter.
The aggression of new dog mothers is a hormone-driven behavior change, and in turn, is a little very limited. Don’t be worried about your pet’s behavior; it won’t growl and snap constantly it’s simply an occasional occurrence.
Tons of licking
When the mother is able to have her pups, it can appear as if everything she is doing is to lick her pups. It is a normal behavior that strengthens the bond between mother and her pups. It also serves a purpose that is to simulate the process of digestion and to encourage elimination.
It is imperative to remember that licking, when excessive, could be harmful. The excessive licking is common in certain breeds, like the Bull Terrier, which is component of what is known as excessive motherly care. In particular that the mother dog could be so abrasive with her pups that they may harm their skin, specifically around the umbilicus and the head.
Why does my dog keep moving her puppies?
In the majority of cases the dog moves her puppies due to instinct or because of a problem with the area where your puppies live. Most often, it’s because she doesn’t think that the puppies are secure, and she continues to move them in order to keep them away and secure. Other reasons include temperatures, a need for privacy or lonely.
If your dog is constantly moving her puppies, and you have to move your pups back, that could be the result of her temperament. She might just want to do things the way she wants, particularly with regard to her kids. If it’s safe to the puppies, let her determine where they should be placed.
Alongside the causes mentioned earlier, they could be the factors.
Moving The Puppies
Another mothering behavior which, because of its complexity, warrants particular focus.
Instead of being focused on nursing and cuddling her puppies her puppies, a dog’s mother may be always moving them from one location to another. This behavior indicates that the mother is not happy with the whelping container or the location. As it is her duty to safeguard her pups and the box isn’t secure, she will frequently shift them around in search for the best place to raise them.
The puppy’s handling too often could be dangerous for puppies due to two major reasons. The first is that puppies are fragile and any handling they experience can be physically and emotionally damaging for the puppies. A mother who is constantly searching for a safe space is likely to not have the time to feed and play with her pups.
Conclusion
When you take care of dogs that have given the birth of a litter, you must be sensitive and compassionate, especially in the case of your dog’s first experience as a mother. The best thing you could do is to provide a secure and secure birthing space. After the puppies have been born, allow your dog and her newly born puppies some time to themselves. You may check in on the puppies from time to time but you shouldn’t be too attentive.
It is recommended that you were also looking for unusual behaviors. If your dog is constantly moving her babies from one spot to the next, you should determine the issue in the whelping container. If she decides to have her baby outside of the box, it could be that the box isn’t set up correctly or it is placed in the wrong spot. If you’re not sure what to do Do not be afraid to seek out professional assistance. Breeders have a lot of experience dealing with issues in this field and the next step is soliciting advice from one.
Source: https://petstutorial.com
Category: DOGS
