Why Do Some Dog Parents Push Their Puppies Away?
It may seem counterintuitive, but there are several valid reasons behind this behavior that parents exhibit towards their puppies. Though pushing puppies away might appear unnatural, it actually stems from dogs’ innate instincts and serves important purposes.
The phenomenon of adult dogs pushing, correcting, or restricting their young is fairly common, especially during the first few months of a puppy’s life. Though it may look harsh to us humans, this behavior is typically not intended to harm the puppies.
In this article, we will explore the various motivations behind this behavior, including teaching boundaries, encouraging independence, weaning, and ensuring safety. By understanding the reasoning behind this conduct, dog owners can better support the maternal instincts of mother dogs.
Maternal Instinct
Female dogs have an ingrained maternal instinct that compels them to care for their puppies. This instinct kicks in as soon as the puppies are born, and the mother dog will immediately begin licking the newborn puppies to clean and stimulate them. She will nurse them regularly and keep them warm by cuddling up with them. The maternal bond between a mother dog and her puppies is very strong. According to the American Kennel Club, “From the moment they’re born, those puppies become the center of their mom’s world. She’ll stay by their side constantly, only leaving them to eat and go potty.” [1]
However, mother dogs also exhibit what’s called ‘maternal aggression’ – an instinct to protect the litter from any perceived threat. This protective aggression is strongest when the puppies are newborn up to about 3 weeks old. The mother dog may act aggressively to other dogs or people approaching too closely to the puppies during this time. Pushing a puppy away that’s getting too close seems contradictory to the nurturing maternal behavior. But it serves an important purpose – the mother dog is establishing boundaries and teaching the puppies independence.
Sources:
[1] https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/canine-mother-separation-from-puppies/
Teaching Boundaries
Pushing helps establish clear boundaries between the mother dog and her puppies. Mother dogs may gently push away puppies who are being too rough or aggressive. This teaches the puppies not to bite or nurse too hard, and enforces a boundary so the puppies learn when mom needs her own space.
As the Cuteness article explains, “Puppies have sharp teeth and claws with which they climb all over their mothers and attempt to nurse…Pushing is a disciplinary tool; it helps establish clear boundaries and rules in the canine family unit.” Pushing enforces rules and etiquette, so the puppies learn proper limits when interacting with their mother.
Encouraging Independence
A mother dog will sometimes push a puppy away to encourage independence. This teaches the puppies to entertain themselves and not rely solely on their mother for comfort and play. Pushing encourages puppies to explore their surroundings, interact with litter mates, and develop resilience when mom is not immediately available. It helps them transition from complete dependence on their mother to gaining confidence in their own abilities. According to the AKC, “As the puppies mature, their mother will start spending more time away from them, coming back only to feed them. This encourages the puppies to play together, problem-solve, and learn” (source). The mother dog knows that her puppies need to become independent in order to thrive as they grow up. By gently pushing the puppies away, she is helping them take steps toward self-sufficiency and confidence.
Corrections
Pushing puppies away can be a form of correction, especially if the puppy is biting or being too rough. Mother dogs may push, swat at, or even growl at their puppies to get them to stop an undesirable behavior like biting too hard [1]. This type of physical correction is one way mother dogs teach their young about manners and boundaries. If a puppy bites its mother or sibling too aggressively, the mother may react by pushing the puppy onto its back or away from the litter. This sends the message that rough play and biting hurts and is unacceptable. Pushing helps the puppies learn to be gentle and not to bite too hard.
Personal Space
Mother dogs often need breaks from the constant demands of nursing and attending to their puppies. Pushing the puppies away creates some personal space and signals to the puppies that the mother has had enough for now.
As one source explains, “Although domesticated, dogs still possess many instinctual survival traits from their wild ancestors. As a result, if a puppy is sick or weak it may be rejected so the mother can focus her energy on the stronger puppies.” [1]
Providing this separation helps satisfy the mother dog’s needs for some alone time and prevents her from becoming overwhelmed by the constant nursing and attention required by a litter of puppies.
Weaning
As puppies grow and start developing teeth around 3-4 weeks old, the mother dog will begin the process of weaning them off nursing and onto solid food (Source 1). Pushing puppies away is one technique mother dogs use during this transition. As the teething puppies continue nursing, it becomes increasingly uncomfortable for the mother. By pushing the puppies away, the mother dog teaches them that they need to rely less on her milk and more on the solid food provided.
Allowing the mother dog to wean her puppies naturally with techniques like pushing allows the puppies to gain independence at the proper developmental pace. Of course, humans can assist the mother by providing high-quality puppy food, but she instinctively knows when her puppies are ready to be weaned. The discomfort of the puppies’ teeth motivates her to cut back on nursing and encourages the puppies to sample the solid food (Source 2).
Pushing is an important part of the mother dog teaching her puppies to rely on solid food as they grow. It is a natural weaning technique that humans should allow mother dogs to use according to their instincts. With a combination of the mother dog’s techniques and high-quality puppy food provided, the puppies will be successfully weaned within 6-8 weeks after birth.
Rest
Caring for puppies is extremely tiring for mother dogs. New puppies need to nurse frequently, sometimes as often as every 30 minutes. This leaves mom with little time to sleep and recover between feedings. Pushing a puppy gently away gives the mother dog a chance take a break and get some much-needed rest
An exhausted mother dog may sometimes move a puppy away so she can sleep undisturbed for a while. She knows the puppies will start crying and disturb her as soon as they wake up hungry. Pushing a puppy aside lets her get some uninterrupted rest before the next feeding cycle starts.
It’s important for mother dogs to get adequate rest after the stresses of pregnancy and labor. Pushing a puppy away for a nap helps mom recharge so she can continue providing the best care for her litter. A well-rested mother will have more energy and patience for the constant feeding and attention newborn puppies require.
Safety
Pushing protects puppies from dangers like getting underfoot, falling, or wandering off. Mother dogs may push their puppies away to keep them safe from various hazards [1]. This includes pushing puppies back if they start nursing too roughly or frequently, as too much nursing can be uncomfortable for the mother [2]. Pushing creates a boundary that keeps puppies close but not underfoot.
Puppies also have a natural tendency to follow their mother closely. Pushing creates some needed personal space and reinforces the boundary. It helps teach puppies not to crowd or climb on mom. This safeguards both puppies and mother from accidental injuries [3].
As they grow more mobile, puppies may wander off and get into unsafe situations. Pushing puppies back gently herds them into a safe area and discourages exploring too far. It helps mom keep track of a lively litter.
Overall, this behavior comes from a strong maternal instinct to protect puppies. Setting physical boundaries is an effective way to keep them safe and cared for.
Conclusion
In summary, mother dogs may push their puppies away for a variety of reasons, all focused on properly caring for the litter. By setting boundaries, encouraging independence, correcting behaviors, maintaining personal space, and weaning puppies, mother dogs help raise happy, healthy puppy litters. While it may seem harsh to human eyes, a mother dog pushing a puppy away is completely natural dog behavior. With a better understanding of the instincts behind this parenting technique, dog owners can properly interpret this interaction. For more information on mother dog behaviors and raising puppies, consult the resources linked below.