Dog behavior
ReeceFamily
member
I think this has been a discussion thread before, but anyone noticing big changes in their dogs' behavior as your pregnancy progresses? We have two dogs. The mini dox, Louie, seems pretty much clueless, but I've noticed a change in my big dog, Ollie. Some of it might be that he is getting less exercise than usual (since I can't run him like he's used to, etc.), but he seems much more apprehensive about everything and he is attached at my hip. He also seems a little down/depressed. It kind of cracks us up because he is such a big guy and everyone thinks he should be tough, but in reality he's Scooby Doo (jumping into our laps at noises, etc). I'm guessing he's just trying to make sense of the changes in me and in the house and feeling a little insecure because of that. Poor guy. His photo is below 
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Re: Dog behavior
Female dog hangs out with my husband more now. She has always favored him (traitor!) but now more so. She also used to cuddle with me but she can't really anymore so that might be part of it (she's 70 lbs so her + me + belly do not fit on the couch). She goes and 'sulks' in our front living room where their crate is and has been doing it more since about 9-12 weeks. Male dog has become way more up my butt and barks a LOT more. He doesn't really let me out of his sight now.
btw your dog is adorable! he looks like such a little charmer
Baby248 - ETA 1/10/13
Me-36, Unexplained Infertility, DH-35, all clear
Clomid 50mg 12/2011 = BFN
Clomid 100mg 1/2012 = BFN, with Cyst
IVF #1 Lupron/Menopur/Gonal-f/HCG Trigger
ER 4/19/12 = 11 retrieved, 6 fertilized,
ET 4/22/12 = 2 transfered (day 3), remaining 3 weren't good enough to freeze
Beta 5/3 = BFP, 87 Beta #2 5/7 560.9 Beta #3 5/9 1376.5 First u/s One Baby, 125bpm!
Second u/s, 176bmp! Kicked over to the OB by the RE at 8w. Team Green!!
I'm really not sure if my dog is acting different because the pregnancy is progressing or if she's getting used to the absence of my other dog who died right after we found out I was pregnant...
But she's much more cuddly and always wants to be near me. She was so independent before.
My male dog Whisper has always been a "momma's boy", but I have noticed that when I'm at home with him he always has to keep me in his line of sight. We can be in separate rooms, but he needs to be able to see me.
He hates the bathroom bc he knows that is where he gets his bath, but now when I take a shower he sits outside the door waiting for me to come out. And if I have the door cracked he will poke his head through, but won't come in.
We don't have a dog or any other pets for that matter. But whenever we go out to DH's parents' house, their dog has been progressively less hyper/excitable around me and much more interested in being right next to me. She is a great dog, always sweet but usually is all about play (she's an english setter, a bird hunting dog). Lately she always sits at my feet or is as close to me and my belly as possible.
My MIL says she will be awesome with the baby, DH grew up with setters his entire life and swears she'll be playful yet protective of the baby and very very tolerable with him/her. Can't wait for the two to meet!
Henry Cavill...You're welcome!
BFP #3: EDD 1/10/13 **DS born 12/30/12!!!**
BFP #2: MC 7/2/11 @ 12 weeks
**Missing our February '12 LoveBug**
BFP #1: MMC discovered on 12/6/10
My dog has seemed pretty normal throughout the pregnancy, but lately she seems a bit more needy/attached at the hip. As PPs have said though, that could be because I'm giving her a bit less attention than normal because I can't jog anymore and don't take her on as many long walks (although DH still takes her for jogs and longer walks).
I have no idea how she'll be when the baby actually arrives. Our dog trainer assured us that she knows (supposedly they can smell when you're pregnant) I'm PG but I wonder if she's going to be shocked when the baby actually arrives.
3 IUIs to get BFP w/baby #2
Lost baby #2 at nearly 12 weeks (D&C on 9/19/14)
Interesting...Ollie is Heinz 57, but his trainer believes he is mostly lab/pi (with shepherd as well)t and has similar behavior. He also tries to sit on our laps all the time, it's hilarious.
From what I've read about dog behavior, they pick up on hormone changes, especially with their more bonded human. There are some dogs like Beagles who can even sense illnesses like seizures and cancer. It's crazy.
Our 11 year old Dalmatian is much more anxious and that's saying something. I have to tell her ten times to do anything because she's so cautious. Might be old age, but I think she also doesn't like being away from me.
My 10 year old kitty, Emma, who I nursed from 3 weeks old, is super attached to me. She's always been my shadow, but it's gotten even more nuts. Now, I wake up most mornings with her curled up on my belly purring away. Our boy cat, Tangelo, who is a little older than Emma, is getting more cuddly, too. He started begging to go under the covers months ago where before he wouldn't even cuddle at night.
Dogs and cats can pick up on anxieties, chemical changes, hormone imbalances. They're pretty amazing, especially when they're bonded with someone.