9 month old pup has changed!

[stressedoutfred]

Hi

Our mini poodle/mini schnauzer cross Puppy has recently really changed. She used to be fantastic at going to bed - sleeping in lounge. We wouldn't hear a peep out of her. Then about a month ago she started barking in the morning - coincidentally at the time we needed to get up anyway so not an issue.

However recently it's got earlier and earlier and the last few nights she's been howling and crying at bedtime . Very unlike her.

She also seems less settled during the day, often whimpering.

She's eating ok - she generally is fussy- is playful and active.

She hasn't been spayed yet, had her first season mid January.

We just don't know what to do with her. DH is tempted to bring her upstairs to sleep in our room but I'm a little reluctant, really hoping this is just a phase! She also isn't totally reliable with her toileting over night so sleeping in our room wouldn't be ideal.

Any ideas or tips would be great!

[pigsDOfly]

Oddly there have been a few similar thread on here recently. One poster was asking if this sort of behaviour could be a phantom pregnancy, which certainly can cause quite pronounced changes in behaviour.

Maybe have a word with your vet.

[missbattenburg]

To me, the pushing of boundaries sounds like adolescence but the whimpering through the day would have me curious/concerned enough to mention it at the next vet check (or book a check if there isn't one due in the next couple of weeks or so).

[stressedoutfred]

Thanks both! I have actually posted on one of the phantom pregnancy threads as I do wonder if it's that?

She seems absolutely fine physically, still running riot at the park etc, eating well. She just sounds so sad, carrying her teddy around whimpering! I had planned on booking her in with the vet to chat about having her spayed so I'll do that sooner rather than later

[pigsDOfly]

Yeah, being sad and carrying her teddy around definitely sound like phantom pregnancy.

[stressedoutfred]

I think so too @pigsDOfly , the timing would be right too as she was on her season mid January. I wonder what can be done? Is it just something she'll get over?

[pigsDOfly]

I would imagine it very much depends on how the situation continues as to what you can do. If it doesn't continue and goes away quickly then all well and good, but in some bitches it can last quite some time. They can gain weight and start to lactate giving all the signs that they are really going to have a litter of puppies.

I would think you need to speak to your vet and let them have a look at her to see what they advise. Maybe there's something they can prescribe to help with the hormonal problem. Don't know for sure but I would imagine they probably won't spay a bitch that's experiencing a phantom pregnancy.