When should you consider aggressive dog training northern virginia? Before you think about it, understand that it’s normal for dogs to exhibit a change in personality after they have given birth. Not to worry because this behavioral change is only temporary and can be owed to hormonal fluctuations. When a mother dog is pregnant with her pups there will be an alteration in her hormones. The moment she gives birth, the hormones drop leading to potential nutritional deficiencies as well as behavioral changes. Therefore, if your dog had just given birth to her puppies, expect some changes in her personality. Let’s find out what these are.
#1 Protective
After your dog has given birth, she will become protective of her young. It’s an instinct to safeguard her pups from danger and intruders. This maternal instinct to protect will be heightened because of her hormones and this can make your dog manifest an agitated and restless behavior. Therefore, be careful when you attempt to go near her babies because she might mistake it for danger. Sudden noises and movements can make your dog jumpy. Another important thing to know is new faces should be avoided. That means keep visitors away for now as they can be perceived as irritants and can make your dog uncomfortable. For now, the best you can do is to make your dog feel as comfortable as possible and avoid all forms of irritants. This will help reduce the negative impact of her behavioral change.
#2 Sedentary
After giving birth, your dog will automatically devote her time and attention to her pups. If your dog used to be active and play outdoors a lot, you’ll notice that all these will change right after she gives birth. This is a normal behavioral change post-partum. According to studies, dogs will spend their days and nights caring for their young for approximately 10 days up to several weeks. Sometimes, it may even extend to months. You may notice that your dog will not show interest in other activities. Don’t be alarmed, this is perfectly normal. This maternal instinct is hardwired to your dog’s system. It doesn’t mean your dog is depressed.
#3 Eclampsia
One of the reasons behind sudden behavior change after pregnancy is because of a condition known as eclampsia. Eclampsia is a result of a deficiency in calcium in you dog’s body. Usually the amounts of calcium become depleted when the puppies drink milk from the mother. How do you know if your dog has eclampsia? The usual symptoms of eclampsia include stiffness, tremors, an increased heart rate, a fidgety disposition and fever.
When will your dog’s behavior return to normal? Most pet owners say that their dogs returned to their normal selves after around a month or so. By this time, their puppies are already self-sufficient and can walk around and explore on their own. When the puppies become independent, the mother dog will experience normalcy again. After about a month, your dog will return to her old self. If your dog exhibits extreme behavioral changes besides the ones mentioned here, don’t hesitate to take your dog to the vet to have her checked.
Takeaway
Don’t get worried or surprised if your dog starts to exhibit aggressive behavior after giving birth because this is nothing but normal. The behavior can range from growling, showing her fangs or biting. This change in behavior can be observed a few hours after giving birth and can extend up to a month due to hormonal changes and imbalances and the need to protect her young. Your job is to let your dog feel comfortable, safe and secure so that she can adjust fast to her new role as a mother and to give her an assurance that her pups are safe.