My dog is acting weird

[midlifehope]

Am 30 weeks pregnant and my dog is driving me mad. He is literally my shadow - following me from room to room panting. He won't stop looking at me and wants my constant attention. He looks anxious all the time. Could be cute but it's just doing my head in..... Can he sense something?

[RockerMummy184]

Yep! My Rottweiler did this when I was pg with ds. If I was stood he'd stand under my tummy resting it on his nose, if I was sat/laid he'd come and rest his head on my tummy.
When ds came home from hospital he emptied out the clothes that the baby had worn and slept with them in his bed for 2 days. If we moved them he'd get more out of the washing hamper.
I once read that dogs can pick up on higher levels of oxytocin.
I think it's adorable. It really helped with the awful anxiety I suffered during my pregnancy and after ds was born knowing I had a protector.

[Hippymama1]

Apparently cats and dogs can smell the change in hormones, even if they are not sure what it means...

I have a cat who is following me around everywhere and behaves a bit oddly too - I should imagine dogs are much more likely to change their behaviour too - cats don't really give a shit do they?!!

[fanjodisfunction]

in my last pregnancy my cat followed me around slept on my bump whenever she could especially at night. she has an amazing relationship with my DS now, they really love each other.

shes not really bothered with me this time round.

[MissesandMuddles]

Our dog totally changed once I fell pregnant and had children. Before he was a real wimp, scared of his own shadow, once pregnant and the children arrived he became a lot more dominant and protective. He's relaxed a little now but he is still very protective of the children and will always get in the middle and warn other dogs away if they approach the kids.

[CuppaSarah]

My cat has moved in with next door and refuses to come in our house now I'm pregnant. Very sad, but if she's happier they love her next door, so I know she's happier there.

[scatterbrainedlass]

My dog has always been a bit protective of me, but the past week she's got quite clingy, following me around a lot. I'm 24 weeks. As a pp said, they can sense changes and smell the hormones so they know something is up, they just don't know what. Even if you've had previous pregnancies, they may not be able to connect the changes you're going through to another little human appearing in the household. Just give them plenty of reassurance, but be careful not to let them start overstepping their boundaries, as some dogs respond to upset by developing bad behaviour. It should pass once either he's got used to the 'new' you, or baby arrives.

[MissTwister]

My next door neighbours cat has taken to giving me funny looks - just stares through the window at me with shock and surprise!

[sarah00001]

I find that big dogs keep jumping up me which is really annoying. My aunties golden retriever won't leave me alone and keeps trying to put her head between my legs!

[Cheshirehello79]

I've stopped going for walks near the canal by mines as all the dogs would either come sniff me or some would start barking at me for no reason and I've known these dogs prior to pregnancy - they would just leave you alone if I was jogging- I don't have pets but that kind of freaked me out not knowing their reactions .

[StuffYouAllInTheCrust]

Same here! My dog became protective over me whilst pregnant and stuck to me like glue in the later months. Any chance he got he'd rest his head on my bump!

[ARV1981]

I had lunch with my mum and her dog yesterday... he was acting all weird too. Kept whining and jumped up at me, pawing the bump (in a sweet way). I think he knows that there's another member of his pack about to arrive!

He's great with me nephew, really really loves him (the feeling is mutual!)

[muddymary]

My dog did this, in my last few weeks of pregnancy she was pretty much glued to me. I'm convinced that they can tell!