MATERNAL AGGRESSION

Maternal aggression or aggression that is protective of the young is usually temporary and will decrease as the puppies age.  It occurs in the context of whelping (late in the pregnancy and postpartum and also during false pregnancy)– it is hormonally driven aggression.

Hormonal changes associated with lactation may alter the dams evaluation of a range of resources and lead to protection of even trivial items with apparently disproportionate ferocity. Threats might be followed by attacks and bites in some cases.  Aggression subsides after a few days or weeks - up to 2 months or until weaning:  as puppies grow, they become less dependent on the mother and so her need to defend them reduces.

The aggression is directed at anyone who approaches the nest site or the puppies, and also objects that the bitch perceives as puppies during false pregnancy.

Pseudo-pregnancy: Owners may be confused if aggression occurs when they attempt to remove a toy or another object from the dog while she is in false pregnancy. Owners should note clinical signs of nursing, and other maternal behaviours which coincide with this aggression.

Uninhibited behaviours seen are usually a mixture of offensive and defensive.

Please seek advice from a Clinical Animal Behaviourist at WellBehave if you are experiencing Maternal Aggression from your dog.