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March 2013 Moms
Pearls+Oysters
member
Fun Fact: My dog is nesting.
Pearls+Oysters
member
Yes, you read that right. My 8 1/2 y-o male Lab mix is nesting.
Here he is letting me know I'm cray-cray.
It's been three nights in a row now, and I still cannot get used to it. Every night, all night, Mr. Dog is coming and going, taking all of his toys and blankets into the nursery and back into our room... and then back into the nursery. All. Night. Long.
His "baby" is a squeeking pinguin, which he adores, and everytime it squeeks, he starts crying. He then proceeds to pick it up again but more carefully, for it not to squeek, and puts it back on his bed, under a blanket...
It's a ritual he repeats with all five of his plushies and buddies... From room to room, he puts them to bed and watches over them, until he decides it's time to move them again.
Should I laugh or be worried? He's an extremely anxious rescue dog, and I've had him for a little over 8 years now, so I'm used to some of his rituals - they work to calm him down, mind you. But this is new...
Anyone here has been through their dog acting in a similar way? What actions did you take? TIA!
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Re: Fun Fact: My dog is nesting.
That's amazing and he's BEAUTIFUL, btw. My dog is simply very aware of my pregnancy and likes to lay her head on my belly when baby is active, but she's a chill, roll with it kind of dog. I would say, with many eccentric rescue dogs in my family, unless the new ritual becomes destructive or disruptive to him/you, I'd let it go since it seems benign, rituals are common for him, and this one might resolve once baby comes. Maybe adding a second doggie bed in the nursery would help him settle and feel connected to the new being that he clearly knows is coming?
If anything, I would definitely develop a plan to properly and gently introduce the new baby to Mr. Dog. Send a hat/blanket home with someone from the hospital before you come home, so Mr. Dog and get used to the scent, give Mr. Dog little training treats around the baby when he displays relaxed behavior, ensure Mr. Dog gets regular walks and doesn't get marginalized, etc.
Ok, 1. Your pup is adorable! and 2. This story makes me feel he'll be great around the baby!
My dog isn't doing any sort of nesting that I've noticed, but he is staying closer to me more often and has stopped jumping up on me, even though he'll still jump on DH. I don't think you should be worried if you take the necessary steps to introduce him to the baby properly. We've done lots of reading on the subject and everyone says to try to have someone take the dog for a long walk before you get home and to bring in a hat or blanket with the baby's smell before bringing the actual baby in. Another tip we got from our childbirth class instructor was to have the alpha person in the house come in with the blanket and play with the dog a bit and then the other person should bring the baby in.
Good luck - I'm sure he'll do great! You should try to get some video to show your LO one day how your dog was prepping for their arrival!
He's adorable! Too funny that he's "nesting" too.
Wouldn't hurt to call your vet's office and mention his new and unusual behaivor. I'd bet it's nothing but they still might have you try something to calm him like some Compusure. There is also a new collar out that is supposed to work based on the dogs pheromones or something and it lasts for 30 days. We haven't tried that yet but the Composure works pretty good on my dog who is afraid of storms.
Thanks everyone! He really is the cutest mutt on the block, isn't he!
I've talked to my vet earlier while setting up his annual appointment and she thinks it's normal for him to act this way. He's an overly protective / super anxious baby, and it's his way to reassure himself at night. He doesn't exhibit that behavior during the day so we both believe it's his stress relief.
As for medication, I have spent far too much time (and money quite frankly) on his re-education that I do not believe it would do him any good for now. Our vet doesn't believe that it is the way to go either, but I will keep it in mind if we ever encounter other "problems" down the road.
I'm just glad our introduction plan is detailed and gradual. And here I thought he had no idea what he was getting into, sniffing and invading that nursery when it was first done. HAH! Joke's on me!