So I'm just about 37 weeks, I'm a FTM, and this week my labrador has been acting increasingly clingy. She cries when I go upstairs (she can't go up there), when I am around her she wants to lay with her head on or just below my belly (typically if she snuggles at all it's at my feet), I can count on one hand the number of times she had barked and suddenly she is barking anytime someone is at the door (never has bothered her before). She has just been so persistent and these are out of character behaviors for her. Am I looking too much into this or can she sense that baby will be here in a few weeks and is getting protective because of that?
Re: Dog behaving strangely
Probably the wobbling throws them off.
Emily
Started dating February 6, 2012
BFP: 7/5/10 EDD: 3/13/11 Miscarriage 8/1/10 at 8 weeks
BFP: 10/30/10 EDD: 7/7/11 Born 7/11//11 7lb12oz, 20 in.
BFP: 7/30/13 EDD: 4/9/14 Born right on time on his due date! 8lb10oz, 21.5 in.
Awesome prophetic fortune cookie: Love is a present that can be given every single day you live
My cats have also started stalking me. My boy won't let me use the bathroom or shower alone anymore and my girl is suddenly trying to block the front door every time I put my jacket on.
We have two rescue pups and both have a lot of anxiety on a good day. We recently started breaking out the baby's things (swing, bouncer, pack-n-play) around the house to expose them to it in advance of his arrival. Needless to say we have seen some strange behavior from them as a result. We have seen everything you ladies have described - excessive barking, the shadowing, clingy behavior, the separating from us, etc.
I called a behavior consultant for dogs to see what we could do to help them since I didn't realize the level of impact all of this would have on them - even without the baby physically being here! The consultant told me dogs fear losing "the pack" and will exhibit these signs leading up to a baby's arrival. She suggested a product by Comfort Zone so I bought their diffuser with pheromones for dogs. She said it would help ease their anxiety. It is cheaper on Amazon than in the stores! They have it in a spray as well. We also are starting them on a 3 mg dose of melatonin so they are more relaxed. When we bring the baby home we will put them on 6 mg.
The consultant encouraged us to have direct conversations with our pups (uhhhhh????) about our son's arrival. Of course we started it and it has becoming amusing for us. The consultant said we shouldn't refer to the baby as "the baby" but instead we should call him by his name so they can create a "visual" of him. Ohhhh geeeezzz.
All of this starts tomorrow. Wish us luck!
The cat however wants to be on my belly at all times. She's always been friendly but never really a lap cat...