Why is my dog reverting to bad habits after having a litter?

Dogs can become more protective when they have puppies. Unfortunately there is not really a way to stop this aggression as it is instinctual and hormonal. A better option is to keep strangers and other unknown persons and pets away from the new mother. Make sure she feels safe and that her litter is kept in a low traffic and quiet area. The more the mother is stressed, the more likely she will be to show aggression. This aggression will generally decrease as the puppies get older. If her aggression is to the point where she is dangerous or extremely disruptive, you may consider removing her from your breeding program and having her spayed. Always be positive towards her and never frustrated or angry. This is normal behavior for a mother. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi and thank you for your question. I am sorry you are having some behavior issues with Luna. Moving can be stressful for both pets and pet parents! Moving to a new area, new home, and the addition of changing to being an only dog is a lot of new changes all at once. Sometimes it just takes time for dogs to acclimate to their new life and new home. She is likely feeling a little insecure in her new place, but that is not unusual. Keep her busy with exercise. Lots of walks, lots of play time with you and gradually introduce her to new people making the experience positive with rewarding her for good behavior with a treat she really really loves. Lavander oil with an essential oil diffuser in your home can aide in calming the mood. Calming chews with L-Theanine in them can also help as well as a number of Rx medications that can help smooth the transition if you are finding yourself and Luna in a road block with progress. Also, working with a trainer around your area can be a very helpful to keep Luna on track and moving in the right direction. Please consult with Luna's veterinarian regarding all supplements and Rx medications. Best of luck!

I am so sorry to hear about your dog! With a sudden change in behavior like this I would recommend having her examined by a vet to ensure there isn't a medical cause. Occasionally we can have diseases that cause a change in appetite/behavior such as this, so it is best to have her examined to ensure there isn't a medical treatment to resolve the issue!

Yes, she might be more protecive since her puppy is around. You can try an Adaptil collar and Solliquin chews and see if that helps with any stress/anxiety. You could also take her to a trainer or behaviorist but if she is biting your friends then you may need to confine her when friends come over.

You are correct, it is most likely stress related. I suggest you get her an Adaptil collar to wear and use the Adaptil diffuser in your house for a few months. https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/site/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?s=adaptil&hierarchy=&sort=score%20desc I also think that, in general, most calming chews/treats don't work well but this brand really seems to help. So, if you also want to try these chews as well, I would recommend them. https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=117298 Hopefully these things will help reduce her stress/anxiety. Best wishes!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Bella! I think you need to bring her in to your vet again and have her rechecked. I specifically would ask them to check her calcium levels. Low calcium can manifest as very bizarre behavior and can be life threatening if not treated. If it isn't low calcium and she isn't better, it is still best to have her looked at again. Sometimes it can take some time for first time Mother's to accept their babies. Just keep putting her in the whelping box and allow the baby to nurse. I hope this helps and I wish you the best!

Hi there. Adding a new puppy to the household can be stressful for your current dog, so it's common to see housetraining relapses and other issues pop up when this happens. Just to "back to basics" with Poli for now, to remind her where to potty - take her out frequently, praise and reward when she goes to the bathroom outside, and supervise her or keep her crated when you can't watch her in the house. Once she's been accident free for a couple of weeks, you can gradually start relaxing your supervision again and let things get back to normal.