girls with dogs

did your dogs behave differently when you were pregnant? My older dog (she's 4) always loved people. When I would take her for walks she'd sit and cry if someone walking by didn't say hi to her. Recently she started trying to attack people. She's done this with me and DH and it started this week. I'm hoping this isn't a permanent behavior change

Re: girls with dogs

My dog (1 1/2 year old lab) hasn't changed her behavior during my pregnancy. If anything she has calmed down a bit / been gentler since she noticed our walks went from jogging a few months ago to waddling.

Re: girls with dogs

My dog has not changed at all. It might be your behavior that your dog is reacting to. You may not even realize you are acting differently.

Re: girls with dogs

My 2 1/2 year old lab has been acting the same and I'm 20 weeks along...he still thinks nothing of jumping up onto my lap and cuddling( and he's 110lbs)...lol

Re: girls with dogs

my dogs haven't changed either .. i have two (one is 5 one is 6).. and they are both on top of me and follow me all around the house like they always do.. however.. they do snuggle me more than DH now when we sleep.. i think bc they like my snoogle.. mo fos always have to be on it in some way

my jack russell jumps and barks at bikes and anything with wheels when they pass him on the sidewalk.. he always has.. i just prepare myself and make sure his leash doesn't have too much slack when i see them coming so he can't get to anyone

Re: girls with dogs

My dog was on top of me throughout my pregnancy. Now that the baby is here she goes very close to DD and smells her but she won't lick or jump on her. She also cries when the baby cries if we're not near her.

Re: girls with dogs

My dog started acting weird on walks from the very beginning of my pregnancy, before I even knew I was pregnant! She used to be very laid back on walks, but all of a sudden she seemed so paranoid and was looking in all directions and over her shoulder as if to make sure no one was following us. At first I didn't know what was wrong with her and I remember asking DH if he thought dogs could develop anxiety issues out of no where. Then a week or so later I found out I was pregnant, so I'm assuming her behavior was related. Maybe she could sense it? Either way, I had to stop taking her on walks because she was just so anxious.

Re: girls with dogs

i think they can sense it.
i was pregnant last summer (i miscarried) and no joke, my perfectly house-trained angel of a dog took a dump on the floor EVERY night.
this pregnancy, thank god she's been fine. but my other one has been EXTRA clingy.

Re: girls with dogs

My dog stopped going for walks once I was PG. I didn't realize it at first since we had a dog walker and it was the summer (he hates the heat)

But as time went on I realized he wouldn't walk anywhere where he was out of site of the house.

Once I had the baby he went back to going for walks.

Re: girls with dogs

My dog started "guarding" the house. She barks when people/dogs go by instead of crying like she used to. She also wants my undivided attention and positions herself between me and anyone else - even people she knows.

Re: girls with dogs

My dog has been glued to my side, much more than usual. She has also started to use my belly as a headrest, . I definitely believe dogs can sense these things.

Re: girls with dogs

My dog hasn't changed at all, but he's only a puppy (9 months) so I don't think he realizes anything is going on! He stills tries to eat the babies clothes lol

Re: girls with dogs

my dog changed - she totally hated me!! only wanted DH, would cuddle with him, only wanted him w walks.

this pregnancy - she is being so strange - needs to be next to me, sleeps in our room!! (which we never let her, but she goes up with me earlier)

she knows something is up!!!!

it isnt a permanent thing - i will say, she was pretty pissed when she saw how much attention DS was getting, but once we got the hang of it, I was able to walk her and be with her..

Re: girls with dogs

My dogs havent acted any different. We have 2, one is 6 and one is 1.5 and they both are exactly the same.

Re: girls with dogs

Mine follows me around a little more closely than usual but no significant change. Perhaps speak to a trainer about how to break this new habit before it goes on too long?

Re: girls with dogs

My pit's behavior didnt change, she just seems to walk even slower now.

Re: girls with dogs

both of mine started sticking to me like clue at around week 12. i feel bad for dh.

Re: girls with dogs

My dog did not act differently while I was pregnant, but she had major anxiety after I came home from the hospital. DS was in NICU for a week, so I was discharged before him. When I came home, my dog wanted nothing to do with me. When I brought DS home a few days later, she was fine at first, but once the family and friends left and she realized that DS was not leaving, she had horrible anxiety. She would not eat or drink and she kept throwing up. It took about a week for her to adjust. Now my dog and DS are BFF

Re: girls with dogs

Thanks for your responses. We're taking her to the vet tomorrow anyway so I'm going to ask her about my dog's recent change in behavior. I'm not too worried about her with the baby, I think she'll be great but I'm nervous that people are going to think she's vicious when she's really a sweet dog