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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Strange behaviour

30 replies

mummylin2495 · 02/10/2010 16:38

Can anyone suggest why my daughters Irish staffie has suddenly taken to carrying a ball around this week ,when normally she chews them up in seconds.She seems to love this ball and wont go anywhere without it being in her mouth,She isnt biting it or wanting you to play with it with her ,simply just carrying it around.She is 3 yrs old.We are very puzzled ,its almost like its a puppy she is moving around.

OP posts:
Bella32 · 02/10/2010 18:30

Is she neutered?

Original poster
mummylin2495 · 03/10/2010 09:09

no she isnt.Do you have any ideas ? We are just very puzzled by this.

OP posts:
Bella32 · 03/10/2010 09:15

In that case it sounds like a phantom or pseudo pregnancy. Has she recently been in season?

Threelittleducks · 03/10/2010 09:24

Maybe she just likes the texture or feel of it?
Sore tooth?

My 14 year old Jack Russell is notorious for ripping up balls etc, but for some reason has become rather attached to a small rubber ball at the mo. It cost me a £1. I never spend a great deal of money on balls as they tend to last about....ooo.....2 mins!

He does this very occasionally - takes a shine to something - and then just for no reason, weeks, months or even years (!) after just tears it up/goes off it. No idea why. He never aggressively kills it either - just casually seems to decide that it's time.

Original poster
mummylin2495 · 03/10/2010 10:15

im not sure when she was last in season,and i think maybe she does think its a puppy.Its really quite sweet to see it but it is so out of character for her.Normally all her balls,tugs etc are ripped to shreds.So do you think a visit to the vet is needed ? She isnt just holding the ball on the edge she actually can fit the whole ball in her mouth and then walking around like that.

OP posts:
Original poster
mummylin2495 · 03/10/2010 10:21

i have just been to a web site to look up phantom pregancy in dogs and it does indeed say that the dog may take to carrying inanimate objects around and not letting it out of their sight.Thanks for your replies ,i will pass this on to my dd.

OP posts:
Bella32 · 03/10/2010 11:11

I'd get her checked over - apart from anything else, the risk of a potentially fatal womb infection (pyometra) is very high at this time. Also be aware that she may not be quite as trustworthy around dc etc while her hormones are like this.

Good luck Wink

Original poster
mummylin2495 · 03/10/2010 12:32

Thankyou again ,i have just phoned my dd and she will phone the vet tomorrow ,i will let you know the outcome of it.She is a lovely dog and we would all hate anything to happen to her.

OP posts:
Original poster
mummylin2495 · 03/10/2010 12:37

i have added a picture of her so you can see what a lovely dog she is.

OP posts:
Bella32 · 03/10/2010 13:21

Oh wow - she is beautiful, mummylin. Thanks for the photo [smile}

Bella32 · 03/10/2010 13:21

Oops - Smile

Original poster
mummylin2495 · 07/10/2010 13:26

between me posting here and speaking again to my dd the dog reverted to normal inasmuch as she started chewing up her other toys BUT still the original ball is complete but is now not being carried around.

OP posts:
Knickers0nMyHead · 07/10/2010 16:57

Awww what a cutie M! Pic of mine too on profile. Did dd speak to vet?

Original poster
mummylin2495 · 07/10/2010 20:18

hi knickers,im not sure but she is coming in here soon so can find out more,Hope you are over your upset ! how is dd getting on at playschool ?

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Original poster
mummylin2495 · 07/10/2010 20:20

i love all you animals knickers ,i didnt know you had cats too ! i must say you have done well with your lounge.

OP posts:
MoralDefective · 08/10/2010 11:35

My collie had a phantom pregnancy earlier this year....very similar behaviour,carrying her (squeeky) ballsGrin very gently in her mouth and tucking them up under her body in her bed....took her to the vet who did an ultrasound and confirmed a false pregnancy...she also had leaky nipples.....not nice!

Original poster
mummylin2495 · 08/10/2010 13:45

thats interesting,but my dd,s dog didnt have anything with her niples,i only had a few minutes with dd last night and all she said was basically what i had already posted.back to her normal self regarding her chewing up her toys ,but not this particular ball.Although she has stopped carrying it everywhere now.

OP posts:
Knickers0nMyHead · 08/10/2010 17:46

Have jutst got the house back to normal m, and thank you, but that picture was taken before some decided to tear the wallpaper Hmm

DD is loving nursery atm!!

I got the Ginger one and a black and white one about 9 months ago, but the black and white one was killed by a car not so long ago. The newest one is 12 weeks now Grin

Original poster
mummylin2495 · 09/10/2010 09:55

Thats a shame about the black cat knickers.Thats one of the worst things about having cats ,because you cant control where they go.Soon time for all the birthdays now isnt it ,cant believe its 2 years ago they were all born.

OP posts:
Knickers0nMyHead · 09/10/2010 11:15

Yeah, two on halloween!!! How fast has that gone Shock

Original poster
mummylin2495 · 09/10/2010 13:14

and I still have the original text i think !!!!

OP posts:
MummyQueenofPutridFleshandGore · 25/10/2010 21:41

Hi i just remembered i promised i would update this thread.Well it turns out that the dog was indeed having a phantom pregnancy.she has been checked over by the vet and is perfectly fine.The two balls remain unchewed though.

Bellaween · 25/10/2010 21:51

Great news - glad she is okay. Thanks for the update [hsmile]

MummyQueenofPutridFleshandGore · 26/10/2010 10:45

my daughter is now deciding wether to have her done or allow her to have at least one lot of puppies ! She would be such a lovely mum.

Bellaween · 26/10/2010 13:37

Oh no - please talk her out of that. Lots of dogs would make lovely mums but thousands of dogs are put to sleep every year because there simply aren't enough homes for them. And breeding puts the bitch's life at risk, as well as those of the pups. Look for a thread on here called 'I think my bitch is pregnant - do I need to do anything?' if you want more info.