Goldens & Their Hooman's Pregnancy Part 1
Volume 28: How Goldens React When They Sense Baby Is on the Way
A dog owner’s pregnancy can cause some behavioral changes in their furry best friend. Some dog’s reactions to a pregnancy are positive, while others may not be. Some dogs have no reaction at all! This has rang true with The Golden Pupper’s resident golden Molly; however, she is also blind so this may have an impact on her responses to a pregnancy. Every dog’s reaction will be different based upon their individual personality, past experiences, and the way they respond to envionmental changes. It’s important to be aware of the possible ways our goldens will behave so the whole family has a pleasant pregnancy journey. So here are some common reactions to be on the look out for when our goldens know a baby is on board!
Our dogs can sense changes especially through their sense of smell since it is highly sensitive and can pick up on smells we cannot. Dogs have 60X as many smell receptors as humans and they also have 40X as much brainpower dedicated to smell alone (Anything Golden Retriever Team, n.d.). They can even differentiate between 30,000 and 100,000 smells (Anything Golden Retriever Team, n.d.)! Our goldens can detect hormonal changes in their pregnant owners and as a result will become more attentive or curious. TGP’s resident golden Bentley has been very clingy during his owner’s pregnancy.
Bentley is using his excellent nose power to sniff out his new baby sister. Most goldens are affectionate, and when their owner is pregnant you may find yourself with a stage 5 clinger. They will be more loving as well as protective and may follow their pregnant owner around more. They may also have an increased desire for pets and affection from them. Meaning, you may never pee alone again! Another cool fact is if their pregnant owner is in pain, not feeling well, or in a bad mood they will show concern and be by their side to comfort them. This has been seen firsthand with TGP’s very own Bentley. He’s such a sweetheart! Goldens are very attentive and will notice any changes in their environment, routine and pregnant owner (body language and shape, gait, beathlessness, fatigue, etc.) that occur regardless of how small during pregnancy (Anything Golden Retriever Team, n.d.). You can help your goldie with all the changes if you provide them with increased attention. Spending more time with them and involving them with baby preparations can result in the dog responding positively to the changes. It also helps strengthen your bond with them!
🎶“I always feel like somebody’s watchin me!”🎶 Some dogs become obviously more protective of their pregnant owner. They may become more watchful and position themselves between their pregnant owner and potential threats. This is the type of behavior that will need to be monitored more closely as the dog may be more prone to negatively react to what they perceive as threats. If this happens, you may want to consider training to reinforce obedience commands and establish new boundaries. Training can ensure a smooth transition for your golden before and when baby arrives. You could even try to socialize them with babies or young children so they can get used to them.
Bentley was sweetly protecting his mama at the dog park! Some undesirable behaviors your golden may exhibit are barking and growlng, chewing up baby items, and fully potty trained dogs might start urinating in the house (Anything Golden Retriever Team, n.d.). They may even become more fearful/timid, show irritation/agitation or forget their training and become uncooperative (Anything Golden Retriever Team, n.d.). Again, seeking guidance through a qualified dog trainer can help if these behaviors get out of hand.
Luckily Bentley has been an angel during his owner’s pregnancy. Some goldens may experience increased stress and anxiety. If there are changes in their routine or environment it may have a negative impact on them. Be mindful of this and reassure them everything is okay. Try to make changes gradually as too much change too fast will stress them out more.
All Bentley is worried about is cuddling.
Our dog’s reactions to changes in their world will all be different. So when baby preparations are underway, its important to adequately prepare them for the new arrival since they are also part of the family. Make them feel included in the process, make changes slowly, and provide them with positive reinforcement to reassure them along the way. If you're expecting a baby and have a golden retriever, observe their behavior closely and consult with a professional dog trainer or veterinarian if you have concerns about their reactions or how to best prepare them for the upcoming changes in your home. If you have any other signs to be aware of or found this information helpful please comment below!
References
Anything Golden Retriever Team (n.d.). Does my golden retriever know I’m pregnant? All Golden Retriever. https://allgoldenretriever.com/does-my-golden-retriever-know-im-pregnant/