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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

My Dog Suddenly Hates Me

11 replies

EMC2022 · 01/04/2022 08:34

I have had my dog since a puppy and he is now over 5 years old. We have a very close bond and he essentially uses me as his cuddle buddy and sleeps with me and DH every night. I recently turned 10 weeks pregnant and its like everything has changed for him.

He still gives me kisses and lays next to me but will not let me pet him and has stopped sleeping in our bed. If I do try to pet him he gets up and leaves the room (after giving me a bit of side eye).

I know people say dogs can sense pregnancy but I usually hear of dogs becoming clingy and protective. I have no idea why my dog seems disgusted when I show him any attention. It's actually upsetting me quiet a bit and I am hopeful he may come back around as it has only been a week but has anyone else experienced this?

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CoalTit · 01/04/2022 08:47

I didn't know it ever happened that way! Like you, OP, I've only ever heard of them becoming protective with pregnant women. I suppose the reason is clear, and I'm really interested to know how long it takes either for you to produce different hormones or for your dog to adapt.
You'll have to be strong, because your children are likely to go through similar phases at some point, and not for such clear-cut reasons.

Novella12 · 01/04/2022 09:59

Slightly different but one of my cats is behaving like this! He is usually very snuggly but has been avoiding me since about 5 weeks. My other cat, on the other hand - who I usually never see and keeps herself to herself - won’t leave my side! I think animals just react in different ways. Perhaps a male/female thing?

twinsetandpearl · 01/04/2022 10:06

I have cats - one turned into a total sex pest when I was pregnant - literally couldn't sit down without him wanting to hump me. The other who was a total cuddle monster, always lying on me, sleeping with me wouldn't come near me during pregnancy - it was like he was afraid to lie on the bump. It's taken a year for him to eventually come back

Original poster

EMC2022 · 01/04/2022 10:08

Hopefully hormone changes will trigger a better response or he will start to associate me with whatever smell or vibes I am giving off. I guess I will just have to adjust to his new behaviour in the meantime.

I will say that animals are much more fascinating than I could ever have imagined. I would love to see if more people are having their animals distance from them as it is not something I have ever heard of. It was also weird as it just happened one particular day out of no where.

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Piper22 · 01/04/2022 10:09

This happened to my partners cousin. The dog presented in this way and became aggressive when the baby was born. They sadly had to rehome the dog. It was a really terrible time for them

Original poster

EMC2022 · 01/04/2022 10:57

@Piper22

This happened to my partners cousin. The dog presented in this way and became aggressive when the baby was born. They sadly had to rehome the dog. It was a really terrible time for them

I have to say this is my big worry. All along he has been quiet good with others babies and children and tends to quiet like them.

I am hoping it might be okay. He is not aggressive at all in his actions towards me. He will even sit next to be but just doesn't want me to pet him. It's an odd case where it's like he knows who I am but he also realises something has changed.

I have started to do a lot of reading up now on how to introduce baby to dog so I am going to take every precaution necessary to get it set up correctly i.e. playing newborn noises such as cries and fussing and setting up all the baby equipment months in advance so he can get used of all the new contraptions etc..

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muckandnettles · 01/04/2022 11:16

This happened recently to my daughter and her dog was very off with her for the first trimester, but has come around now she is well into the second trimester and is very cuddly and protective of her. It's like he's finally worked out what's happening! He's a lurcher if breed might be relevant.

IzzyLeigh · 01/04/2022 14:40

Hi OP! I'm sorry you're going through this. Hopefully it's just hormones and he gets used to you, but I think it would be worth taking him to the vet just to rule out anything physical.
I don't want to worry you and it sounds like everything is fine in your instance, but here's what has happened/is happening with me and my dog. I wanted to share on the off-chance that it helps.
I'm just about 15 weeks and my dog is almost 10 years old. Like you and yours, she and I have an incredibly close bond. I rescued her as a pup and I've had her since before I even met my husband. We sleep together every night and are inseparable. Although she was incredibly clingy in the beginning of my pregnancy, that started to change over the past month or so. It started slowly at first but over the past two weeks she has changed her actions completely and just doesn't seem to care about me. She hasn't shown signs of disliking me, but she has mostly stopped snuggling with me and has shown an utter 180 in her behavior.
She also started to do some other weird things that I interpreted as disinterest in me. However, the past two days has made it clear that something else is going on here and I had just been interpreting early signs personally instead of looking at the bigger picture. Without going into detail, we're going to the vet for an emergency appt in an hour and I think it's likely they might tell me it's time to say goodbye.
Anyway, this likely isn't happening with you as your dog is much younger and, from what you described, seems to be fine otherwise. However, best to get him checked out just in case the behavior change is an indication of something else going on, even though it seems like it's directed just toward you and your pregnancy.

Original poster

EMC2022 · 01/04/2022 18:06

@IzzyLeigh I definitely have kept this in mind and we are watching to see for any other signs e.g. pain. Given I will be around a lot this weekend I will see if his attitude changes and if he still seems distant we will take him to the vet as a precaution.

I'm very sorry to hear about your dog and I hope there is a better outcome than you think. They really are part of the family and it is a massive loss when they are ill or pass. My thoughts and well wishes are with you and your fur baby!

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madeleine85 · 01/04/2022 19:23

@EMC2022 sorry to hear about your dog giving you the cold shoulder! Mine has been much more aloof to me since my recent pregnancy, and is very much more into my husband now (infuriating as I adopted him and work from home with him, treat him all day long etc)! As long as there is no aggression, and it isn't a health issue, just let your pupper get used to the change slowly. When I had my DD, I was already pregnant when we adopted the dog, so he never knew any different, but when she came home he was curious, and terrified of her. The one thing he would run out the room from was if I was pumping or feeding her. It took time, but we are all a happy little family unit now, and that slowly the nervousness went away, and the cuddles came back. I am expecting a similar reaction when the next one arrives, and that he will just need space to adjust to a new normal. If no one mentioned (they likely have), try get your DH to take home some used baby blankets/clothes from the hospital to get your pup used to the baby's smell.

madeleine85 · 01/04/2022 19:24

For context mine is a 3 year old male we think lab x greyhound x shep mix. Lovable but completely neurotic :)

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