Why is my pregnant dog aggressive? Is inbreeding a concern?

General temperament can be passed from parents to puppies, so it is possible that Dixie's pups could have an aggressive temperament. However, the benefit of this situation is that you are aware of that potential scenario and will be able to train the puppies from day one to teach acceptable behavior. If any signs of aggression develop, I recommend consulting a veterinary behaviorist immediately to address any small issues before they become big problems. During Dixie's pregnancy, make sure that she has been examined by her veterinarian to assure that she is in good health and that she is up to date on her vaccines. Bear in mind that many vaccines cannot be given to pregnant dogs, although some can. Deworming treatments can be administered to pregnant dogs, so I do recommend doing this under her vet's guidance. During both pregnancy and lactation, Dixie's nutritional requirements will be higher, so she should be fed a puppy food during this time rather than an adult dog food. As she approaches her due date, be sure that she has a quiet, comfortable area in which to next and prepare for whelping (delivery). I hope this helps and that all goes well for Dixie!

If there is any chance that the female could be going into heat then I would avoid this situation. While most people think they can keep dogs separated, accidents happen (dogs jump fences, etc.) and unplanned mating occurs. Whether or not they are aggressive towards eachother will really depend on each dog's personality, as many unfixed dogs will get along. Perhaps if the bitch was starting to come into heat but not yet ready to breed and the male wouldn't leave her alone there might be some problems.

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.

Thanks for the question. Interbreeding of a mother to an offspring does carry a high risk of genetic problems. It is possible that the pups will have problems, or that they will be born normal. Since she appears to be far along in her pregnancy, I wouldn't advise terminating the pregnancy at this point. I hope all goes well, and I recommend spaying/neutering, or keeping offspring separated once they are over 5 months of age to prevent future pregnancies.

Inbreeding can sometimes cause birth defects in the puppies, which may be a problem down the line, however the incidence is relatively low. If you suspect your female is pregnant it is best to have her examined by your veterinarian to determine the pregnancy and the health of mom and puppies. A typical pregnancy lasts around 63 days in a dog. It is also a good idea to get both your male and female spayed and neutered if you do not wish to have further litters to prevent accidents from occurring again in the future.

If there has been a discharge of fluid then yes, labor may indeed have started. Please keep them completely segregated as the presence of the male is very threatening to her as he may be a danger to her pups. If active contractions do not start within 2hours you should have her assessed by an emergency vet

Congratulations on your pregnancy, and I would like to help offer some suggestions to help you with your dogs new behaviour concerns. Dogs and humans share a very close bond, especially when you have had them in your life for as long as 6 years. Though your dogs may not understand the exact details of what is changing with you, they are aware of a change. This is causing Kaygee to feel unsettled. This is not abnormal at all, and I can suggest a few tactics to try; Dog appeasing pheromone (DAP) adaptors in the house DAP collars for the dogs Increased excercise Increased interaction and positive connection with you, including extra cuddles, walks, or even indoor games like hide and seek Thunder coat Positive reinforcement of positive interactions I would suggest trying a few of these tactics over the next few weeks. Please report back with your progress and we can help you further if needed. Best of luck.