This article will analyze the question: does having a litter of puppies calm a dog down? We will look at changes in a female dog’s behavior before, during, and after pregnancy to determine if there is a noticeable calming effect after giving birth. The impact of factors like breed, spay/neuter status, and general temperament will also be considered. By reviewing available research and expert opinion, we can better understand how motherhood may influence excitability and energy levels in female dogs.
Dog Behavior Before Pregnancy
Many dogs exhibit hyperactive and excitable behavior before becoming pregnant, especially younger dogs. They tend to be very energetic, constantly running around, jumping up, and needing lots of activity and exercise. Some common behaviors seen in non-pregnant female dogs include:
- High energy and restlessness
- Jumping up on people and furniture
- Running around the house or yard in spurts
- Barking frequently
- Chewing objects
- Difficulty settling down
- Seeking constant attention and playtime
According to the Noah’s Ark Veterinary Clinic, this energetic demeanor is quite typical for non-pregnant dogs due to their youth, breed traits, or simply their personality. Pregnancy and motherhood often help calm these behaviors.
Dog Behavior During Pregnancy
As dogs go through pregnancy, their behavior often changes dramatically. One of the most noticeable changes is in their energy levels. According to Dog Meets Baby Expert, many pregnant dogs start sleeping more and becoming less active as their pregnancy progresses (source). The drop in energy can begin as early as the first few weeks of pregnancy. These lethargic tendencies continue all the way through to delivery of the puppies.
Another common behavioral change is nesting instincts. Just like human mothers, pregnant dogs start seeking out quiet and comfortable spaces to give birth several days before labor begins. They may dig at blankets, pillows or other soft furnishings to create the perfect nest for their puppies. Some dogs become very protective of the nest they make and don’t want owners interferring with their preparations. It’s important to provide a safe and secure whelping area for a pregnant dog as her due date approaches.
Dog Behavior After Giving Birth
After giving birth, a dog’s top priority becomes caring for her newborn puppies. The mother dog will clean and care for each puppy as they arrive, biting off the umbilical cord and licking them to stimulate breathing. She will continue this nurturing behavior for the next several weeks as the puppies grow, keeping them warm, nursing and grooming them regularly (source).
The mother dog also becomes very protective of her litter in the weeks after giving birth. She may show aggression like barking, growling or even biting to protect the puppies from any perceived threat. It’s important to move slowly and not startle or crowd the mother as she cares for her babies in these first few weeks (source).
These nurturing instincts and protective behaviors are completely normal for a mother dog right after giving birth. They help ensure the puppies’ health and safety during the vulnerable newborn phase. With patience and gentle handling, the mother dog will relax and return to a calmer demeanor once the puppies are older and less fragile.
Differences Between Breeds
Certain dog breeds tend to be more excitable and energetic than others due to genetic factors. Studies show there are breed differences in behaviors such as trainability, chasing instincts, and aggression [1]. For example, herding breeds like border collies and sheepdogs are highly intelligent and trainable, while sight hounds like greyhounds have a strong prey drive and love to chase. In contrast, some breeds like bulldogs and Great Danes tend to be calmer and more easygoing.
Research on dog genetics reveals certain behavioral traits are highly heritable between breeds, meaning the differences are strongly linked to genetic makeup rather than solely environment or training [2]. Therefore, some dog breeds are naturally more excitable than others based on their breeding. An Australian shepherd, for example, may be more energetically wired than a pug. However, individual personality differences always exist too.
Impact of Spaying/Neutering
Spaying or neutering dogs can reduce excitable behaviors in some cases. When dogs are spayed/neutered, their production of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone is dramatically reduced. These hormones influence mood and behavior in dogs just like they do in humans. Female dogs have estrous cycles where their estrogen levels fluctuate, which can cause behavioral changes like increased nervousness, irritability, and excitability. Neutering male dogs reduces testosterone, which is linked to competitive, territorial, and aggressive behaviors.
By eliminating these hormonal fluctuations, spaying/neutering can have a calming effect for both male and female dogs. The behavioral changes are especially noticeable in dogs that were previously aggressive or hyperactive when intact. However, the calming effects of spaying/neutering varies between individual dogs based on factors like breed, age, and baseline temperament. It’s not a guarantee that excitable behaviors will stop post-surgery. But for many dogs, the more stable hormone levels after spay/neuter does translate to reduced excitability and anxious energy overall.
Some studies have quantified the calming effects of spay/neuter. One study found that male dogs were 2.6 times less likely to have owner-directed aggression issues after neutering. Another study found that undesirable behaviors like destructiveness, escaping, and hyperactivity improved dramatically in 70-90% of dogs after spaying/neutering. So while every dog is different, spay/neuter procedures are often an effective solution for curbing excitable temperaments.
Sources:
https://www.rover.com/blog/when-to-spay-a-dog/
https://www.dessauvetclinic.com/blog/271798-will-my-dog-be-less-hyper-after-spaying_2
Other Factors Influencing Excitability
A dog’s excitability level can be influenced by several factors beyond pregnancy and motherhood. According to the National Library of Medicine, a dog’s health, diet, environment, and training can all impact their tendency towards excitable behavior.
Health issues like thyroid problems or pain can cause dogs to act out. Providing regular veterinary care and addressing any medical conditions is important. Additionally, a poor diet lacking proper nutrition may fail to provide a dog the fuel and vitamins needed to remain calm. Feeding a high-quality commercial or homemade diet tailored to your dog’s needs can help.
Boredom and lack of exercise are also common culprits for excitable behavior, according to the BC SPCA. Ensuring your dog gets adequate daily exercise and enrichment through walks, play, training and toys can prevent pent-up energy from manifesting as excitability. Finally, consistent training using positive reinforcement helps dogs learn good manners and impulse control.
While pregnancy may curb energy levels in some dogs, other factors like health, diet, exercise and training remain important for managing excitability long-term.
When to Expect Calming Effects
The timeline for when a female dog’s energy and behavior may change before, during, and after pregnancy can vary between breeds and individual dogs. However, there are some general patterns that may emerge:
In the early stages of pregnancy, some female dogs may become more alert or protective of their surroundings. Their energy levels tend to decrease in the middle and later stages of pregnancy as the pups grow and the pregnant dog starts to tire more easily. She may sleep more often and be less active in playing or going for long walks [1].
During the last 2-3 weeks of pregnancy, the expectant mother dog’s energy is likely to be quite low as carrying the litter of puppies puts more strain on her body. She may seek rest very frequently. Some dogs exhibit nesting behaviors like shredding blankets or towels to create a comfortable space for the puppies [2].
In the first few hours after giving birth, a female dog is often very tired and may pant heavily as her body recovers [3]. She will need plenty of rest. Over the next several weeks, her energy levels tend to increase gradually as she adjusts to caring for the litter and her body recovers. However, the demands of nursing, cleaning, and watching over puppies usually prevent a dramatic energy rebound.
Once the puppies are weaned, around 4-8 weeks after birth, the mother dog will typically have more energy and may return to normal levels of activity. However, her maternal instincts remain strong, and she often exhibits calmer, more patient behaviors compared to before pregnancy.
Exceptions & Special Cases
While many female dogs do become calmer after having a litter of puppies, this is not always the case. Some dogs remain high-energy and excitable even after giving birth and raising a litter of puppies. According to one Reddit user, their female husky was just as hyperactive after having puppies as she was before (“Dogs are annoyance after having baby”).
Certain breeds that are known for having high energy levels and excitability may be less likely to mellow out after pregnancy and motherhood. These breeds include huskies, Australian shepherds, border collies, Jack Russell terriers, and others. Their temperaments are strongly wired, so the calming effect of motherhood may not make as much of an impact.
Additionally, if a female dog has anxiety issues or high strung tendencies prior to pregnancy, these traits may remain afterwards. The hormones and experiences of motherhood do not always override ingrained personality traits and dispositions in dogs.
So while puppies often have a calming effect on mother dogs, owners should be prepared for the possibility that their particular dog may remain energetic and excitable even after having a litter. The individual dog’s breed, personality, and temperament are key factors in determining behavior changes after pregnancy.
Conclusion & Summary
In summary, while pregnancy and motherhood can have a calming effect on some female dogs, it is not a guarantee. The behavioral changes depend on the individual dog’s personality and breed tendencies. Motherhood places demands on a female dog that require patience, gentleness and protectiveness towards puppies, which encourages calmer dispositions in many dogs. However, high-energy breeds and dogs with anxious temperaments may still remain excitable after giving birth. Neutering/spaying can reduce excitability for both male and female dogs. Beyond pregnancy, other factors like exercise, training and environmental stimulation also influence a dog’s activity levels. While some female dogs do mellow out after having a litter, it should not be assumed or relied upon as a sole strategy for addressing excitability issues.
The key takeaways are:
- Pregnancy and motherhood may have a calming effect on some female dogs, but not all.
- Breed tendencies and individual personality play a major role.
- Caring for puppies encourages gentleness and patience in mother dogs.
- High-energy breeds and anxious temperaments may remain excitable after pregnancy.
- Neutering/spaying can reduce excitability in both sexes.
- Exercise, training and mental stimulation also influence excitability.
- While motherhood may help, it should not be the only strategy for addressing hyper behavior.
