Dog is Driving me nuts!!!

rholbrook7 · August 2015

So at first, I thought my dog was completely clueless about what was going on, however lately he's been driving me crazy.
He follows me everywhere. He walks so close behind me that his nose is constantly touching my thigh. When I sleep, he insists on laying right across my legs, and he won't let anyone get near me when I take him for walks. He's usually a super sweet dog, and has never been aggressive, but lately he growls and snaps at anyone that gets near me.
What do I do? Any suggestions on how to deal with him? I don't want him to bite someone, and I just want some time alone without him being all over my 24/7.

WDDCH · August 2015

I'm so not a dog person so that would drive me nuts too. I'm not sure what you could do though, sorry.

eah325 · August 2015

My dog isn't being aggressive but she is being needy. She follows me everywhere, lays right beside me (on the floor) when I'm on the couch and bed. It's hard because it's hard enough to get up off the couch or out of bed and now I have to try not to step on her, too! I know she's aware something is going on, and she's anxious so I'm trying to be patient and loving with her. It's sweet when she tries to "help" me fold baby clothes in the nursery. She's a 70 lb black lab so she's not that much of a help!

Edit to add: sometimes I think she'll be the one to realize I'm in labor first because she'll be spazzing out or something!

Oh wow- she just got me out of bed like she needed to go to the bathroom. Nope- she ran straight to the baby's swing that we have set up to show me she put one of her "babies" in there. It was adorable and comical at the same time.

jennsuzanne87 · August 2015

My dogs have also become VERY needy. I've spoken to a few vets who have said that dog's kinda know what's up when we're pregnant and that the whole situation can wig them out. I've been told a few things that have helped, and I've stuck to them consistently for several months now.

First off, don't let her follow you around everywhere. Evidently it feeds an obsession and dependence- instead I've been told to give them a physical boundary to respect. My dogs have to "go lie down" in their beds. The beds are in the living room so they feel included and can usually see me, but they can't pace around me- which they would otherwise do too and have tripped me a few times. This simple command has helped a lot. I trained them to go to their beds with treats and just verbally remind them to go back when they try to get up and follow me places. It took a few days of practice for them to learn the command. I would also consult a vet or trainer about letting her sleep with you. I don't let my dogs on my bed ever, but make sure it's healthy for her mental wellbeing right now.

When I take my dogs for walks I walk between them and other dogs or humans. I don't let them get between and "defend" me. I would maybe start there. Your dog probably knows you're more vulnerable- but they need to know you *and super important they know this about baby too* are in charge- they aren't out ranking you and don't need to protect you. It seems cute and endearing they want to protect us, but it's not healthy.

Good luck! My dogs are the same way, but these few little vet given tricks have really helped.

jlemons-2 · August 2015

My dog is actually letting me hold her like a baby right now. I don't know what to do about it either. I've been trying to leave her alone in rooms to play but she just wants me!

missliz53 · August 2015

Is there another room that you can put her in when she is driving you crazy or there are people over? It's fine to need a break from her every now and then. Make sure to give her something to do in that room: some sort of chew that she is absolutely nuts over; it will help create a positive association between her having alone time and food. Start with small amounts of time everyday and then build your way up to longer time periods apart. And only let her have those chews when she is alone.

dmbfan46835 · August 2015

Awwww! That sounds wonderful to me actually. We put our baby down 3 weeks ago so I'd kill to have him up my ass again. That said, we still have a cat that's super needy and at birthing class they said you have to find a way to separate yourself from them. It's critical for them not to associate the baby with taking you away from them. Can your SO spend more time with the dog and get their attention off of you? It will be hard for them to transition to your new life with baby as the new priority. We are having a hell of a time separating ourselves from the cat. I just feel like a dick so creating the boundary is way easier said than done. But I also don't want him to resent the baby:(

chelseajeanene · August 2015

I don't think there's much you can do, they're just trying to protect you and think they're doing their job! Which is adorable but I understand the annoyance, my cat is driving me up a wall. I can't get him out of the crib, and if I yell at him he just winks at me, I compromised and gave him he changing table. He usually doesn't care that I even exist and is hopelessly in love with my DH. Now he won't leave me side, makes me trip over him when I'm walking. My personal favorite is that his new thing to do is sit on my nightstand and cry all morning. Starting at 6am. I hate him right now

AmandaNacora · August 2015

Ugh I hear you. First my boy dog was marking things in the house and I finally got him to stop. Now my huge dog has started whining All. The. Time. And won't let me walk anywhere without being between my feet. I love her but it's driving me crazy. They aren't allowed upstairs so thankfully when I need to be left alone I can go upstairs, she just waits and whines at the bottom..

lauramichelle58 · August 2015

Your dog is being protective of you. He loves you and is doing exactly what he should! Be sweet to him...he's doing what instinctively feels right. Hopefully he'll calm down a little once the baby is here but it will take some adjusting. Your vet will have a pamphlet called "Fido Came First" with some helpful tips.

kjs08 · August 2015

Mine has been acting similarly: needs to be in the same room with me, follows me everywhere, etc. She's become my protector, especially if she feels I'm being threatened (and she's never aggressive unless another dog starts it) and I'm sure she'll be baby's protector once she's here. Our's isn't needy frequently, but she's still a puppy (14 months) so she still needs her cuddle time with me, even if it's 10 minutes. When she's doing something that's seen as protective, I've been telling her that it's okay and I'm okay with pets and praises, and she goes off on her merry way after we've given her reassurance that everything is fine. I think that because she's still young, she doesn't entirely understand as she's going through changes herself with me, but she does put her nose on my belly every morning and gives me a wake up kiss on my face.

The aggression needs to be nipped in the bud right away. We've used squirt bottles and training treats to redirect to get the behavior that we want. It takes a while, but with consistency and persistence, they will learn. Ask for tips from your vet or find a trainer who can help. Good luck!

kwalsh1394 · August 2015

Yeah I think this is very common, my dog as well is super needy lately and finds it necessary to sleep on top of my legs at night. They can sense it, but it is very bitter sweet. I love the love and attention I'm getting from her but it can be extremely annoying.

booksandcleverness81 · August 2015

I have 3 but only one of them has been super clingy and protective. Oddly, I bought a used bouncer and got a car seat from a friend and both of these pre-used items she has gone bonkers over. She wants to be literally IN them or next to them and gets crazy concerned when you do anything to them (I cleaned and washed the cloth on both). She made teeth at my other dog when she went near them too, which makes me worry she may be aggressively protective. So I have been very stern about her behavior around them, making her lay down in her bed when she gets anxious around me or them. Dogs like to have direction, and if they aren't getting it from your they can have more anxiety and feel like they have to take charge themselves. Do not let them feed this behavior by being very direct and giving them rules and direction through the day, especially when they're being clingy or snippy. They need boundaries set up now so they are in place when baby gets here. Give them love when they've been good and calm. Good luck!

mamadeez · August 2015

I have taught my dog boundaries such as "go lie down" and "stay out of the kitchen" due to his need to follow me. I've been told it can also be a sign of the dog feeling like they need to protect you or to be "on duty" instead of relaxing. I'll ignore him and try to be the one to initiate any contact instead of anbsently patting him whenever he comes to check on me.

As for the aggression we got him a harness so he walks behind us or right by the side and will leash him if he acts badly. I have been grabbing him under jaw by the collar to calm him (by the back of the neck can apparently appear aggressive to dogs) and will pin him if necessary. Occasionally I have put a muzzle on him after in response. It's all helped. Now when he approached a dog I say "be good" calmly and will reward him with a treat occasionally for positive behavior.

With people I let them know that he is protective because I am pregnant and try to stay calm so he knows I don't recognize any danger. Most people understand and won't touch him. I ask them to ignore him until he calms down. I've started using terms like "thank you" and "it's okay" to show him there is no threat.

It should pass. Our physicality has changed. I know my emotions have clearly changed haha. Our dogs might recognize that we aren't cut out to be the alpha protector right now and take on some new qualities to try and perform whatever duties they think we need. It might seem like being strict is "mean" but it'll help them go back to just being a happy dog again instead of feeling like they need to focus on you.

AndieTessie · August 2015

My dogs have been crazy clingy long before I got pregnant, but lately even my cat is always by my side. For the dogs I recommend getting frosty paws ice cream. It's like a hoodsie cup for dogs. It won't correct the behavior, but it will buy you five minutes of peace! You can get it at most grocery stores.

paine0925 · August 2015

My dog is like a baby to me and means the absolute world to me; im the opposite LoL, if he isn't clinging to me I always go find him... He's my little sweetheart and spends all day and night with me (I work from home so he's with me all day and then at night he sleeps right with me in bed) - it's an unhealthy obsession but I can't help it!!!!

lolad5 · August 2015

Both of my dogs do this. My Aussie knew I was pregnant before I did and started being extremely needy and attached to me at the hip. She's always been "my" dog but it's got a lot more intense. I do need space from her so I make her "stay" and lay down so I can have my own time. She worries a lot so she still checks on me but it's a lot nicer doing my own thing and not having her there everywhere I turn. She is learning boundaries. I also have to close the bathroom door if it's cracked or open she will lay on my feet while I use the restroom or lay there while I shower.

I guess that is my only advice is to tell you to use "stay" often. I talk to my dogs like people so I feel like they understand quite a few more commands or phrases. It has helped a bundle though!

cmehlhof · August 2015

I'm lazy and never read all the comments but basic training and teaching your the Alfa and they need to go away. The best thing I taught my dog was go to bed and no Mayer where they are in the house I can say that and they will go lay down and leave me Alone . Mine has been extra clingy and I think senses somethinh is up

babs02 · August 2015

My dogs usually follow me around but lately it's been ridiculous. I have read somewhere that just like them sensing pregnancy they can sense labor coming. I can tell that mine have just been making sure I'm ok most of the time. But just like dilation it doesn't mean labor is happening at any moment. It can still be a few weeks out.

kahlya88 · August 2015

Normally he prefers to lay with DH - but the past few weeks have been all me!

jenacart · August 2015

My dog is obsessed with me. I will wake up and she is just sitting staring at me. Creepy! She stayed at my FIL's for 2 days last week and when she got home she hugged my belly, it was cute! I wish I took a pic.

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